When ICC got bowled and South bagged a wicket
Step right up, folks and welcome to the latest show in the ever-unfolding spectacle of Media & Entertainment! The spotlight's on, the curtain's rising and we're here to give you your VIP pass to the stories that are truly ground breaking. Forget the headlines you skim – we're diving deep into the plot twists, the surprising reveals, and the undercurrents that are reshaping how we consume, create and connect.
Let's dig in, shall we?
ICC WTC Final 2025 sees 75% ad volume drop despite record viewership: TAM adex
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 reportedly saw a staggering 75 percent drop in ad volumes despite achieving record viewership numbers, according to TAM AdEx data. This counter-intuitive trend raises significant questions about the evolving nature of sports broadcasting monetisation.
Why you should care:
For advertisers, broadcasters, and media planners, this is a critical alert. Is this a one-off anomaly, or does it signal a deeper shift in how audiences consume sports and how brands engage with them? It prompts a re-evaluation of traditional ad models and the potential rise of alternative sponsorship or content integration strategies. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for optimising your sports marketing spend and maximising ROI.
Read here..
How marketers are mastering brand building and performance in South India
Marketers are increasingly honing their strategies to effectively build brands and drive performance in the diverse and vibrant South Indian market. The article highlights successful approaches and unique insights into connecting with audiences in this region.
Why you should care:
South India represents a significant and often distinct consumer base. For brands looking to expand their reach or deepen their presence, understanding the nuances of successful marketing in this region is paramount. This insights-driven piece offers valuable lessons on regional targeting, cultural sensitivity, and effective media deployment that can be applied to other diverse markets.
Read to find out more about..
Need for stronger regulation and accountability for the OOH industry
There's a growing call for more robust regulation and greater accountability within the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry. This push aims to address issues such as data transparency, ethical practices, and standardisation to ensure a more reliable and trustworthy ecosystem.
Why you should care:
For advertisers investing in OOH, clearer regulations mean better transparency on campaign performance and greater confidence in their ad spend. For OOH media owners, enhanced accountability can lead to a more professionalised industry, attracting more investment and fostering innovation. This development is vital for the long-term health and credibility of the OOH sector, ensuring fair practices and fostering a level playing field.
Read more..
More from this week:
Instagram gone, YouTube on? Pakistani celebs blocked again, but are serials still streaming in India? Here's what we found
MIB proposes local registration, conflict ban for TRP agencies
Kollywood Half-Yearly report: Content trumps star power in first half of 2025
Pirates of Bollywood have producers running for cover
New script unfolds in media world
Tag us on LinkedIn (ET BrandEquity) with your thoughts; we'd love to hear them.
Stay tuned for the next edition of the Media & Entertainment newsletter, hitting your inbox every Friday.
Until next time, keep those brilliant brains churning!
—Team ETBrandEquity
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
UFC at the White House — Plans underway to host fights in 2026: Reports
UFC plans to take its show to the White House when the United States puts on its 250th birthday celebration in 2026. The UFC confirmed to The Athletic on Friday that plans are underway to host a slate of fights on the White House grounds in Washington D.C., next year, with an expected summer date not specified. The confirmation comes a day after President Donald Trump shared those intentions to an Iowa crowd. 'We're going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House,' Trump said. 'We have a lot of land there. ... We're going to have a UFC fight, championship fight, full fight.' A friend of UFC president Dana White, Trump has regularly attended fights over the years, including taking in UFC 309 just days after being elected in November. He also attended fights in April and June. After Trump made his comments to Iowa supporters, White reposted a video of the president's remarks on Instagram. He added the caption: 'This will be EPIC!!' No further details about the 2026 fights, including how far along plans have become, were shared. Should it come to fruition, it would become the first professional sporting event ever contested on White House grounds.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Meta Brings Direct Messaging to Threads as Platform Celebrates Second Anniversary
In a much-anticipated move, Meta has rolled out the direct messaging feature for its fast-expanding microblogging app, Threads. This update introduces private, secure messaging capabilities and brings the platform closer to Instagram's familiar interaction model. The feature, now available to users aged 18 and above, went live on July 3, coinciding with Threads' second anniversary. For months, users of Threads had been requesting the option to directly message one another—a basic feature expected from any social platform. Meta has now answered that call, aiming to foster more meaningful and safe interpersonal connections. The rollout allows users to initiate one-on-one conversations by simply tapping the message icon on any profile they follow. Initially, DMs will only work between followers or mutual Instagram followers aged 18 and above, a restriction Meta says is meant to promote safer and more respectful interactions. 'Thread users had been awaiting the option to DM each other,' stated a Threads spokesperson. This new feature reflects Meta's larger push to unify its suite of apps while giving each platform its own identity and community focus. Threads has shown strong growth in the competitive social media space, especially among users looking for a simpler, less toxic online experience. Meta revealed that over a third of daily active users on Threads follow accounts that they don't already follow on Instagram. This indicates that the platform is gradually carving out its own niche, separate from its more visual-focused sibling. The initial version of Threads' direct messaging system focuses solely on basic communication. However, Meta plans to expand on it with additional tools and controls to improve both the experience and the safety of user interactions. Future updates will reportedly include the ability to manage message requests, control who can send messages, and even form group chats. Inbox filtering is also in development, which will allow users to prioritise important messages and declutter their inboxes. In addition to DMs, Meta is introducing a new feature called Threads Highlighter, a visual cue that helps users identify trending conversations and topics gaining significant traction. The aim is to boost engagement by making it easier for users to discover and join real-time discussions on popular themes. This dual update—introducing private messaging and highlighting trending content—marks a major step in Threads' evolution. It not only strengthens user connectivity but also signals Meta's intention to make Threads a more robust and engaging platform. With the launch of these features, Meta continues its strategy of integrating elements from its existing apps like Instagram while tailoring them for the unique atmosphere and purpose of Threads. The hope is that users will embrace Threads not just as a companion to Instagram but as a destination for meaningful conversations in its own right. As Meta enhances the app's functionality, users can expect even more dynamic tools that blend simplicity, control, and community engagement—solidifying Threads as a key player in the evolving social media ecosystem.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Sports visa controversy: Why can't India deny a visa to Pakistani athletes?
Even as India and Pakistan remain locked in a diplomatic standoff, a new chapter is unfolding in cross-border sports. While cricket remains on ice—with both countries agreeing to play only at neutral venues until 2027—India has made it clear that athletes from Pakistan will be allowed to compete in other international tournaments held in the country. Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem may not take part in the Neeraj Chopra Classic—an invitational event—but when it comes to qualifiers and multi-nation meets, Pakistan's presence is assured. Business Standard takes a look at the controversy over visas for Pakistani athletes: The clarity comes after months of confusion sparked by India's decision to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals on April 24, 2025, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks. The move raised serious doubts about the participation of Pakistani athletes in events scheduled in India, a country set to host at least a dozen major international tournaments in 2025. India opens the door—with conditions A senior sports ministry official addressed the concerns on Thursday, confirming that while bilateral sporting ties remain suspended, multi-nation competitions are exempt. 'We won't stop Pakistani athletes from participating in the international tournaments India is hosting,' the official said. 'Bilateral engagement is off the table, but the spirit of competition in global sport will be upheld.' This means athletes will be welcomed in events like the Asian qualifiers for the Olympics, World Championships in swimming, weightlifting, squash, and more—while the cricket pitch remains conspicuously empty. Pakistan hockey team to get visas The Pakistan men's hockey teams have been given the green signal to participate in two major upcoming tournaments in India — the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, and the FIH Men's Junior World Cup in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. According to a report in the Indian Express government confirmed the development, adding that any move to bar their entry would have violated the Olympic Charter. The clearance was jointly granted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the visa process for the visiting athletes already in motion. A senior official said that the decision has been formally conveyed to Hockey India, which has in turn informed its Pakistani counterpart to facilitate travel and logistics. Observers note that denying Pakistan's participation in these tournaments could have put India at odds with the International Olympic Committee. Such a move might have triggered disciplinary action against the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), given the IOC's strict stance on political interference and non-discrimination in sport. A history that changed the playbook India's current stance reflects lessons from 2019, when Pakistani shooters were denied visas after the Pulwama attack, prompting global backlash. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) accused India of violating the Olympic Charter and temporarily suspended talks on future hosting opportunities. That moment led to a key policy shift—India's written assurance that it would not bar any qualified athlete from competing, regardless of their nationality. Why rule 44 still matters? The IOC's Rule 44 remains central to the equation. It mandates that host countries must not discriminate on grounds of race, religion, or nationality. India's decision to honour this principle, even during political friction, protects its ambitions of hosting major events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. No government clearance yet for Pakistan hockey team: Tirkey Former India captain and current Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has said that the board has not yet received formal clearance from the government regarding the participation of Pakistan's men's hockey team in two major upcoming tournaments in India — the Asia Cup and the Men's Junior Hockey World Cup. Responding to ongoing speculation, Tirkey told news agency ANI that while Pakistan is expected to take part in both tournaments, Hockey India has not yet received any official go-ahead. 'We've witnessed over the years how much global attention an India–Pakistan hockey match draws. Pakistan is scheduled to participate in both events we're hosting. But as of now, there's no clearance. Once we get it, we'll proceed accordingly,' he said. India is set to host the Asia Cup from August 29 to September 7 at the newly built Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar, followed by the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu from November 28 to December 10. Pakistan's men's hockey team toured India for the Hockey World Cup in 2018. Apart from Pakistan, India will host Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei in the next month's Asia Cup. Meanwhile, in the Junior Hockey World Cup, India and Pakistan have been drafted in Pool B alongside Chile and Switzerland. While the Pakistan hockey team is travelling to India, it remains to be seen if their men's cricket team will cross the border for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India, the official host of the tournament, later this year. In February this year, the Indian team didn't travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and played all their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. It was also confirmed that the hybrid model will be adopted for all ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, which will be held in India or Pakistan.
