Nimbus Communications

{{Short description|Former Indian media company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}} {{promotional|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Nimbus Communications | logo = | caption = | type = | traded_as = | genre = | fate = Liquidated | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{start date|1987}} | founder = Harish Thawani | hq_location_city = Mumbai | hq_location_country = India | services = Entertainment, Sports Marketing & Broadcasting | website = {{URL|http://www.nimbus.co.in/ }} }}

'''Nimbus Communications Limited''' was an Indian media and entertainment company, and sports broadcaster, known for its Neo Prime and Neo Sports channels.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nimbus Communications plans to raise around Rs 900 crore via IPO in January|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-11-11/news/27589323_1_equity-shares-ipo-proceeds-350-crore-capital-expenditure-plan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701142250/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-11-11/news/27589323_1_equity-shares-ipo-proceeds-350-crore-capital-expenditure-plan |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 July 2012 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=11 November 2010}}</ref>

Nimbus offered integrated, end-to-end media services focused on sports broadcasting, marketing, and filmed entertainment. Headquartered in Mumbai, it was established in 1987 by Harish Thawani,<ref>{{cite web |title= Interview with Nimbus Communications Ltd executive chairman Harish Thawani|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/interviews/y2k3/executive/harisht.htm |date=20 June 2003 |publisher=indiantelevision. }}</ref> and operated across India, Singapore, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, serving customers in the United States, Canada, the UK, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

In 2006, the company secured a four-year contract with the BCCI for international match broadcasting rights, valued at $612.18 million (Rs 2,714 crore).<ref>{{cite news |title=Nimbus scores big, bags cricket rights for $612 m |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/story/147721/ |newspaper=The Financial Express |date=18 February 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New boss, old telecast game |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060218/asp/frontpage/story_5863235.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303152728/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060218/asp/frontpage/story_5863235.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2006 |newspaper=The Telegraph (Kolkata) |date= 18 February 2006 }}</ref> In 2010, the Times of India Group acquired a minority stake in Nimbus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Times buys stake in Nimbus, Neo Sports |url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/03/22143635/Times-buys-stake-in-Nimbus-Ne.html |newspaper=Mint |date=22 March 2010 }}</ref>

In 2017, Nimbus Communications sold a portion of its digital Bangladesh cricket content rights—covering select archival periods and exclusive digital use—to '''Marhaba Cricket India Ltd''', a UK-registered company involved in cricket rights acquisition and distribution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marhaba Cricket India Ltd – Official Website |url=https://marhabacricketindialtd.com |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref>

In 2018, following financial disputes with Union Bank of India regarding unpaid short-term loans totaling {{INR}}35 crore, the Bombay High Court ordered the liquidation of Nimbus Communications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vyas |first=Maulik |date=2018-03-12 |title=HC orders winding up of Nimbus Communications for defaulting on Union Bank dues |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/4oWzdutUDRf94Fo1UbT6IP/HC-orders-winding-up-of-Nimbus-Communications-for-defaulting.html |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

==Channels== ===List of channels=== * Neo Sports * NEO Prime * Neo Cricket (rebranded to Neo Prime) {{Infobox television channel | name = Neo Sports | logo = neosportsnew.jpg | logo_size = | owner = Nimbus Communications | launch_date = {{Start date and age|2006|11|8|df=yes}} | closed_date = {{End date and age|2018|11|12|df=yes}} | website = [http://www.neosports.tv/ www.neosports.tv] | country = India | area = India | hq_location = }}

'''NEO Sports''' was an Indian television channel, owned and operated by Nimbus Communications. Launched on 8 November 2006, it covers virtually all prime events in almost all popular sports like Golf, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Motor Racing, Horse Racing and Sailing. The channel has Golf as a prime sport along with football.

==Events== === Cricket ===

* International cricket in New Zealand till 2013 * International cricket in Bangladesh till 2013 * International cricket in India till March 2012 * Domestic cricket in India till March 2012 * Asia Cup till 2012

=== Football === * A-League * Eredivisie * Coppa Italia * Coupe de France *FIFA Club World Cup

==See also== * NEO Sports Plus * ATN NEO Cricket

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://ibnlive.in.com/news/neo-sports-bags-euro-2012-rights-in-india/172145-5-21 Ibnlive.in.com]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} * [http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/07/neo-sports-acquires-telecast-rights-for-french-open/ Bestmediainfo.com] * [http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/183986/neo-tries-out-rugby-world-cup-action Sportbusiness.com]

Category:Entertainment companies of India Category:Companies based in Mumbai Category:Television production companies of India Category:Mass media companies established in 1987 Category:Sports mass media in India Category:1987 establishments in Maharashtra Category:Television channels and stations established in 2006 Category:Defunct television channels in India Category:Sports television in India Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2018 Category:2006 establishments in India Category:2018 disestablishments in India