After the huge success of the Twenty20 World Cup (primarily due to a dream India Vs Pakistan final) and the way web 2.0 phenomenon of blogs, social networks and video sharing sites reacted to the Twenty20 mania it is clear that cricket is hot right now and so is any online media or discussion around the game.
Keeping this passion for the game in mind which is at an all time high now Neo Sports which owns the airing rights of the India Vs Australia 7 match ODI series that is starting tomorrow announced the launch of video-on-demand and Live streaming service of all the 7 matches on www.neosports.tv which will go live with the start of the series.
This service is not free though. Users need pay Rs 5 on a per event basis, and highlights of every half-an-hour will be available for Rs 30, a day pass will cost Rs 50 and a series pass (7ODI and 1 Twenty20) will be available for Rs 150. One can also avail of live streaming for Rs 100 per match.
Shashi Kalathali, CEO Neo Sports Broadcast said: "The core target for this product is the office-going audience, who usually misses out on all the high profile cricket action while they are in the office."
I think this is the best move by Neo sports and i think ICC and ESPN STAR can learn from this initiative. In anycase youtube and host of other video sharing sites host your cricket content illegally and you have no option to do anything about it but atleast this way you give yourself the opportunity to leverage the online medium and may be build a long term property that can be monetized.
the site looks like a piece of hoax! they are just a wrapper for willowtv.. i dont see any place for a 150rs signup!!
Check out http://criccast.com/Ind_Aus07.aspx
The entire series for $ 15. Non buffering stream. Enjoy.