GECs
Balaji Telefilms plans to set up 3 studios
MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms is planning to set up its own studios in Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad in a phased manner. The production house will also continue with its existing arrangement of utilising studios on a long-term lease basis.
“We are in the process of identifying land for studio space in Goregaon, a western suburb of Mumbai. We will then look at Chennai and Hyderabad,” says Balaji Telefilms president of strategy and business development R Karthik. The investments will depend on the acquisition cost of land, he adds.
The need for owning studios comes in the wake of Balaji’s plans to scale up its television production business. With new channel launches, the company expects the demand for content even in the regional languages to increase dramatically. Besides Hindi content, Balaji has a strong presence in the Sun Network channels.
Balaji Telefilms is expanding its programming hours with two soaps lined up for Hindi general entertainment channels Sony and Zee TV.
The show on Sony will be a daily and is expected to go on air by April. The Zee show is also likely to be launched at that time and air at least thrice a week, says Karthik. The titles of these shows are yet to be finalised.
The production house will also have a new programme on Malayalam channel Surya TV in April, taking the number of shows in the southern language to eight.
The popular one-year running Kkavyanjali on Gemini will be replaced with a fresh Balaji programme on 16 March. Kaarthikadipam will air at 9.30 pm.
Balaji Telefilms will also be producing shows for Sun Network’s Bangla channel Surjo which is slated for launch this year, says Karthik.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
