Latest news with #NitinMenon
Times of Oman
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
ICC announces match officials for WTC final between Australia, South Africa
Dubai: Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand and England's Richard Illingworth have been announced as on-field umpires for the World Test Championship (WTC) final which is set to take place at Lord's from June 11 to 15 between Australia and South Africa, as per the ICC official website. The highly anticipated clash will see South Africa take on Australia in the culmination of a fiercely contested two-year Test cycle for the mace. Illingworth, who was also part of the officiating team in the 2021 and 2023 finals, continues his consistent presence in marquee Test matches. He is also the current ICC Umpire of the Year, having won the David Shepherd Trophy for the fourth time in 2024. Gaffaney had partnered with Illingworth in officiating last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final, and also officiated in the WTC 2023 Final between India and Australia. Illingworth will be making history in the Ultimate Test, having stood as an on-field umpire for all three World Test Championship Finals. Richard Kettleborough, also from England, who has officiated in the finals of several marquee ICC events, including the Men's Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy, has been appointed as the TV umpire, after having played the same role in the WTC 2021 Final between India and New Zealand. India's Nitin Menon has been named as the fourth umpire for the contest, marking his debut in a World Test Championship Final, after having served as the TV umpire for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final in 2021. The match will be overseen by experienced Indian match referee Javagal Srinath. ICC Chairman Jay Shah also commended the experience and merit of the appointed officials and expressed confidence in their performance. "We are pleased to announce an experienced team of match officials for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's, marking the culmination of a highly competitive two-year cycle of Test matches played around the world," Jay Shah said as quoted by the ICC. "We strive to select the most qualified and deserving officials for all matches, and we are confident they will perform admirably. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this assignment," he added.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
WTC final: Two Indians set to be in action as match officials announced
As the world gears up for the World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa, two Indians will quietly play pivotal roles behind the scenes. The ICC has confirmed Javagal Srinath and Nitin Menon as part of the officiating team for the summit clash at Lord's — a moment of pride for Indian cricket, even in the absence of its national a respected figure amongst ICC match referees and a familiar name in Indian cricket, will oversee proceedings as the match referee. This will be another major assignment for the former pacer, whose post-retirement career has seen him become one of the most experienced and dependable match officials in the meanwhile, marks a new milestone in his international umpiring journey. Appointed as the fourth umpire for the final, this will be his debut appearance in a WTC Final. Having earlier served as the TV umpire in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final in 2021. The rest of the officiating team features some of the most seasoned names in international cricket. Richard Illingworth of England returns for his third straight WTC Final as on-field umpire. Illingworth, who won the ICC Umpire of the Year award in 2024, will be joined by New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney, another experienced official who partnered him in both the 2023 WTC Final and the 2022 T20 World Cup English umpire Richard Kettleborough will handle TV duties. A familiar presence in ICC marquee events, Kettleborough brings a wealth of experience, having officiated in previous finals of the Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy. His calm presence in the third umpire's chair rounds out a high-calibre team ready for the face off between Australia and South Africa at Lord's starting from June Officials for ICC WTC Final 2025Match referee: Javagal Srinath (India)On-field umpires: Richard Illingworth (England), Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand)TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (England)Fourth umpire: Nitin Menon (India)Must Watch
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
ICC WTC final 2025: Full list of match officials for SA vs AUS grand finale
Two-time runner-up India may have missed out on a spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, but the country will still be represented on the big stage through veteran match official Javagal Srinath and umpire Nitin Menon. Srinath has been appointed match referee for the final, while Menon will serve as fourth umpire in what will be his WTC final debut. The high-stakes encounter between defending champions Australia and first-time finalists South Africa will take place at Lord's from June 11 to 15. ICC Chairman Jay Shah noted that the appointments reflect the officials' experience and merit, expressing confidence in their ability to manage the game with distinction. Illingworth and Gaffaney to officiate on-field England's Richard Illingworth and New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney have been named the on-field umpires for the final. Illingworth, in particular, is set to make history as the only official to stand in all three WTC finals to date. He was also recently named ICC Umpire of the Year for the fourth time, further cementing his reputation as one of the game's most consistent adjudicators. Gaffaney previously partnered Illingworth in the 2023 WTC final and the T20 World Cup final the same year. Srinath's continued presence in major ICC events Javagal Srinath's appointment ensures Indian representation in the championship's concluding match, even in the absence of the national team. The former Indian fast bowler is a seasoned match referee, having officiated in numerous high-profile ICC events. His role in the WTC final reflects the ICC's faith in his leadership and neutrality. Nitin Menon steps into WTC spotlight For Nitin Menon, this assignment marks his first appearance as a fourth umpire in a WTC final. However, he is no stranger to high-pressure matches, having served as TV umpire during the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. His selection for this prestigious Test confirms his growing stature in international umpiring. Kettleborough named as TV umpire The TV umpire duties will be handled by Richard Kettleborough of England, who returns to the role after officiating the 2021 WTC final. Kettleborough has long been a fixture in ICC event finals, including World Cups and Champions Trophy tournaments. Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC, emphasised the importance of selecting officials based on merit and experience. He noted that the group chosen for the WTC final represents the best in the game and expressed hope that they will enjoy the assignment while maintaining the highest officiating standards.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Prime Video India with ads: necessary for growth?
Following a global pattern of streaming platforms exploring hybrid monetisation strategies, Amazon Prime Video has announced its entry into the ad-supported video on demand ( AVOD ) space in India. Starting June 17, 2025, Indian subscribers will encounter limited advertisements during movies and television shows, a change communicated via email and framed as a means to bolster ongoing investment in content. This move is seen by many as a natural progression for Amazon in a market where AVOD is demonstrating significant growth potential. The 2024 Ormax Media report reveals that SVOD audiences in India comprise 150.6 million people, representing 27.5% of the total OTT universe, while a significant 72.5 percent (396.6 million) access only free content, often exclusively on platforms like YouTube and social media. Notably, the SVOD audience has declined this year, with the overall 21 percent growth of the Indian OTT universe being solely attributed to the expanding AVOD audience segment. Industry experts have weighed in on this development, with many highlighting its alignment with global trends and the specific dynamics of the Indian market. Sanjay Trehan , digital and new media advisor, commented, 'This move is understandable and not entirely unexpected as it follows a global template. India is a cost-conscious market and Amazon needs to generate additional revenue by leveraging its Prime Video audience. Along with innovative CTV ad formats, this is Amazon's attempt to expand its reach and appeal to the bottom and mid tiers of the content consumption market without causing much disruption.' Nitin Menon , co-founder and MP at NP Capital, echoed this sentiment, stating that the introduction of advertising was a natural progression for all OTT players. He explained that with rising content costs and the long-term, patient nature of subscription growth in a price-sensitive market like India, leveraging advertising to boost revenues is a logical step. Menon asserted, 'In a price-sensitive market like India, you cannot ignore advertising as a substantial revenue stream, and all OTT platforms would need to incorporate it in some form or another.' Amazon notified subscribers that limited advertisements will be introduced to Prime Video movies and TV shows from June 17, 2025, explaining this will allow for sustained growth in content investment. They emphasised fewer ads compared to TV and other streaming platforms, with no impact on the current Prime price or requiring any user action. While the existing Prime membership fee will remain unchanged, Amazon also revealed the introduction of a new optional ad-free add-on for its Prime members. This premium option will be priced at INR 699 annually or INR 129 on a monthly basis and will become available for subscription from the same date, June 17, 2025. The experts suggest a mixed bag of reactions. While some believe Indian consumers are accustomed to ads and the value of the Prime bundle might cushion the blow, others highlight the risk of alienating existing subscribers who expect an ad-free experience. The success of this move will heavily depend on the ad load, the quality of the ads, and how well Amazon balances revenue generation with user experience in a price-sensitive market. Menon believes this is a "win-win" as it boosts overall OTT revenue, allowing for greater investment in content and reducing pressure on SVOD growth. While acknowledging a potential initial inconvenience for consumers unaccustomed to ads, he emphasised that the ad strategy and implementation are at the discretion of each OTT platform. Meanwhile, Trehan elaborated on the potential of ad-supported models, stating, 'AVOD is the way to go and will help expand the premium content market. Having said that, India is a country that defies linear constructs. There are enough takers for an ad-free, clutter-free seamless experience and are willing to pay a premium for it. So, it looks like a smart move to upsell an ad-free experience.' This dual approach, offering both ad-supported and ad-free options, appears to be a strategic manoeuvre to cater to the diverse preferences and price sensitivities within the Indian consumer base. The evolution of the OTT landscape and shifting consumption patterns are also key factors influencing this decision. He also addressed the monetisation debate, suggesting a coexistence of models. 'I expect both AVOD and SVOD models to grow, as India is a vast and diverse market and content consumption patterns are influenced a lot by local and regional factors. The key, however, is to produce quality and differentiated content that celebrates diversity and builds on cultural sensitivities. Mopping up additional revenue will help Prime Video spend more on generating premium content.' Shradha Agarwal , co-founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency—Grapes, believes Prime Video's new strategy will segment its user base into those willing to watch ads for continued access at the current price and those who will pay extra for an ad-free experience, reflecting existing preferences in content consumption. Agarwal firmly believes in the growth potential of AVOD in the Indian context, asserting, 'AVOD is undoubtedly the most promising avenue for growth in the current OTT market.' She further projects the long-term revenue dynamics, suggesting, 'Ultimately, sponsorship and advertising will likely become the primary revenue generators, potentially accounting for 50-60% of the total, while subscription fees will primarily fund platform development and maintenance.' Despite the anticipated surge in AVOD adoption, Agarwal acknowledges the continued relevance of subscription-based models, noting, 'Despite the rise of AVOD, SVOD will persist in India. Users are already accustomed to managing multiple subscriptions and will likely continue this habit.' India's OTT market presents diverse subscription options. JioStar offers ad-supported mobile plans from INR 149 quarterly, with an ad-free premium yearly plan at INR1499. Netflix's ad-free tiers range from a INR 149 monthly mobile plan to a INR 649 premium monthly plan for four screens. ZEE5 has three-month premium plans at INR 599 for three devices, alongside regional monthly options from INR 99. SonyLIV provides a mobile-only annual plan at INR 699 and a premium yearly plan for two devices at INR 1499. YouTube premium starts with INR 149 monthly.
