iWorld
Thums Up launches ‘Fan Pulse’ with cricket legends on Disney+ Hotstar
Mumbai: India’s homegrown beverage brand The Coca-Cola Company, is excited to announce the launch of ‘Thums Up Fan Pulse’, an innovative and immersive cricket experience in collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar. The Thums Up Fan Pulse introduces a new era of cricket engagement, amplifying every voice, fostering passionate discussions, with expert insights, and unparalleled fan participation.
https://www.hotstar.com/in/shows/thums-up-fan-pulse/1260152395?filters=content_type%3Dshow_clips
The first-of-its-kind endeavour is set to transform the cricket content landscape, resonating with the true spirit of Thums Up. ‘Thums Up Fan Pulse’ isn’t just a platform; it’s a vibrant space for fans to share opinions, interact with experts, and pose the pivotal question: “Will India Win?” The series featuring top experts, including Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Virendra Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik and hosted by the “voice of cricket” – Harsha Bhogle will showcase the pulse of every cricket fan as they give unique insights about every aspect of the upcoming World Cup.
By integrating data, tech, and social listening, Thums Up is revolutionizing fan engagement. It uncovers insights about players, team India, and the World Cup fueling a personalized content experience for every cricket enthusiast, through various channels – pack, digital, and OOH with enthusiasts enthusiastically participating and sharing their views on the platform.
Commenting on the launch of ‘Thums Up Fan Pulse’ and the association with Disney+ Hotstar, Coca-Cola India, and South-West Asia senior category director of sparkling flavours Tish Condeno said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of ‘Thums Up Fan Pulse,’ an immersive experience that encapsulates the pulse of every cricket fan. With our unique series in collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar, we are honoured to feature cricket legends together on one platform. Our aim is to unite cricket enthusiasts, engage fans, and build up the excitement for the upcoming ICC World Cup.”
Disney Star head of network – Ad Sales Ajit Varghese said, “Cricket may be a strategic sport, but it involves the heart and mind in equal measures. Be it calculating the possibilities of a six in an over or praying for the last ball to score a six, it is this mix of emotion that makes the game great. At Disney+ Hotstar, we are proud to partner with Thums Up to curate a unique series like Thums Up Pulse. It quenches our national thirst for cricket with logic & passion served by experts like Sourav Ganguly, Virendra Sehwag, Harsha Bhogle and other prominent names for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”
The Thums Up Fan Pulse offers various content formats, from episodic series with Disney+ Hotstar to byte-sized content. By sparking engaging conversations about the ICC World Cup, it keeps the excitement alive. Thums Up remains dedicated to enhancing cricket conversations and uniting fans through innovation. Consumers can purchase a Thums Up, scan the QR code on the pack and express their views to become a part of Thums Up Fan Pulse.
iWorld
Telcos push for unified rules as spam shifts to OTT platforms
Over 80 per cent fraud moves online, operators seek common framework.
MUMBAI: The spam may have left your phone network but it hasn’t left you alone. India’s telecom operators are once again dialling up the pressure for a unified regulatory framework, warning that fraud is rapidly migrating to internet-based platforms where oversight remains far looser. According to industry communication, a leading operator has written to multiple arms of the government including the Department of Telecommunications, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance arguing that tighter controls on traditional telecom networks are inadvertently pushing bad actors towards over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms.
The concern is not new, but the framing has sharpened. What was once an industry grievance is now being positioned as a consumer protection issue. Operators say that tackling spam in silos no longer works, as fraudsters seamlessly shift across platforms, exploiting regulatory gaps. The result: a moving target that traditional safeguards struggle to contain.
Executives point to a clear shift in fraud patterns. OTT platforms are increasingly being used for phishing links, impersonation scams and bulk unsolicited messaging, with industry estimates suggesting that over 80 per cent of spam activity has now migrated online. In this environment, the lines between telecom networks, messaging apps and financial fraud are blurring fast.
At the heart of the industry’s demand is a call for a technology-neutral regulatory framework, one that applies consistently across telecom and internet-based communication services. Operators argue that the absence of uniform safeguards, such as sender verification systems, robust spam filters and clearly defined accountability mechanisms, has created enforcement blind spots that fraudsters are quick to exploit.
The proposal is straightforward but far-reaching. Telcos are pushing for baseline anti-fraud measures across all communication platforms, alongside faster response systems and deeper coordination between ministries. Given the interconnected nature of telecom networks, digital platforms and financial systems, they argue that fragmented oversight only weakens the overall defence.
The broader issue is regulatory arbitrage, the ability of bad actors to hop between platforms based on which is least regulated at any given time. Without harmonised rules, operators say, efforts to curb fraud risk becoming a game of whack-a-mole.
As digital communication continues to expand, the debate is shifting from who regulates what to how consistently it is regulated. For now, telecom operators are making their case clear: in a world where spam travels freely, regulation cannot afford to stay fragmented.
