MAM
Neo Cricket set to rebrand as Neo Prime
MUMBAI: As part of its strategy to focus on non-cricket sports, Neo Sports Broadcast has rebranded its cricket focussed channel to a premium all-sports channel.
Consequently, Neo Cricket will have its name changed to Neo Prime starting 3 June.
With reduced live cricket property and a surge in volume in multiple sports, NSB believes two all sports channel is the current need of the hour.
Neo Sports Broadcast COO Prasana Krishnan said, “Neo Prime is the prime feed of a premium all-sports channel. The channel will showcase HD ready sports content and will shortly launch its HD offering.”
The decision to rebrand Neo Cricket is twofold. One, the broadcaster doesn‘t have live cricket to run a dedicated cricket channel. Two, a lot of Neo Sports properties were overlapping creating scheduling conflicts.
“The network will shortly announce a slew of big ticket acquisitions and multiple all sports channels will ensure scheduling conflicts are addressed to maximise the network viewership,” Krishnan said.
As part of a long term strategy, Neo has been acquiring sporting events including Uefa Euro 2012, French Open, World Series Hockey, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Copa America and Rugby World Cup in addition to the existing bouquet of Asia Cup, German Bundesliga, Davis Cup, US PGA Tour, BWF Badminton Super Series, and Fed Cup.
Neo Cricket was born in the wake of the BCCI rights which now reside with Star India. Neo has adopted a strategy that would run with primarily other sports like football, hockey, tennis and badminton.
Also read: Neo Prime begins its journey as all sports channel
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
