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Times Network announces global expansion of Pickleball Now
MUMBAI: Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network under the Times Group, has announced the global expansion of Pickleball Now: the world’s first dedicated pickleball television channel available across Connected TV and digital platforms. The channel delivers a comprehensive programming lineup including live tournament coverage, curated highlights, exclusive interviews, tactical breakdowns, behind-the-scenes features, short-form content, player spotlights, and global pickleball news, offering fans an immersive, end-to-end viewing experience of the world’s fastest-growing sport.
Pickleball Now has already aired major international tournaments across India, the USA, Australia, and other global circuits, including NPL Australia – Sydney, NPL Australia – Brisbane, PWR DUPR India Masters, and the Pickleball World Cup, cultivating a diverse and engaged global audience.
As part of its vision to strengthen the pickleball ecosystem, the channel will broadcast the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPL): India’s official national league sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association and recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS). Live coverage begins December 1, 2025.
With global interest in pickleball accelerating, Pickleball Now is expanding its programming slate to include: Global live tournament coverage across continents, PWR World Tour 2026, learning & skill-development segments; rules, strategy, and match-format explainers; equipment and paddle reviews, community and club features; youth and grassroots pickleball content.
The channel’s distribution footprint will extend across smart TVs, connected devices, and OTT platforms in India and global markets. In the Indian subcontinent, viewers can stream live tournaments on Times Play, Times Network’s flagship OTT platform, and across JioTV, JioTV+, Airtel Xstream, DailyHunt, and OTT Play. Internationally, the channel will initially launch on BOTIM, Distro, YuppTV, and Rumble, followed by integrations across the US, MENA, ANZ, the UK, and additional regions.
Times Network spokesperson said, “As the world’s first sports channel dedicated to pickleball, we are excited to scale our international footprint and collaborate with leading leagues to build a truly global ecosystem that connects fans, athletes, and tournaments across continents.”
With its expanding global reach, Pickleball Now is poised to become the definitive international hub for the sport, curating a year-round programming calendar featuring marquee tournaments, league action, athlete stories, and more. As part of this vision, the official website pickleballnow.in, is evolving into a comprehensive destination for everything pickleball, including global coverage, match schedules, tournament discovery, player information, editorial content, learning resources, community engagement, and dedicated equipment and merchandise shopping.
As pickleball continues its rapid ascent on the global sporting stage, Pickleball Now aims to shape the sport’s future, bringing fans closer to the action, empowering emerging talent, and uniting communities worldwide through a seamless, multi-platform experience.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
