MUMBAI: Neo Cricket is targeting an advertising revenue of Rs 1.75 billion for the India-Australia series, a 25 per cent jump over the last time the two nations played in India.

For the two Tests and 3 ODIs, Neo has roped in three co-presenting and three associate sponsors.
 
"We are targeting a revenue of Rs 1.75 billion from the series. The six sponsors will be taking up 40 per cent of the ad inventory," Neo Sports Broadcast EVP - ad revenue Raju Udupa told Indiantelevision.com.

Neo is asking for Rs 400000 per 10-second spot for the ODIs and Rs 90,000-100000 a 10-second spot for the Tests.
 
Some media buyers Indiantelevision.com spoke to said Neo would end up with an ad revenue of Rs 1.30-1.40 billion from the 13 days of cricket.

"There is an overdose of cricket happening and you have the Commonwealth Games taking place at the same time. You also have other big reality properties on Hindi general entertainment channels like KBC 4 and Big Boss 4 during the festive season which are going to take money out of the market. While you do have multiple players in a category like telecom, all of them will not advertise at the same time," a media buyer said on condition of anonymity.
 
Udupa, however, does not agree that the rates are going to soften. "This is a peak advertising season. The series is also compact with 13 days of cricket. We have promoted the season heavily. We are on course to meet our targets," he said.

Neo Cricket is being distributed on cable TV networks by TheOneAlliance. The broadcaster recently signed a deal with Dish TV, India‘s leading DTH operator.