ITV News
Olio Pizza, Rajasthan Royals renew partnership for IPL 2026
Campaign blends cricket frenzy with food play as brand bets on match-day consumption and fan engagement
New Delhi: Cricket meets crust again. Curefoods’ Olio Pizza has renewed its partnership with Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026, doubling down on a high-decibel campaign—“Slice Maar”—to turn match nights into a consumption ritual.
At its core is a punchy, crowd-ready slogan that straddles sport and snacking: the crack of a big hit and the bite of a large slice. Anchoring the campaign is a new hero product, the Royal Pizza Slice—a 24 cm, single-serve portion priced from Rs 99, aimed squarely at budget-conscious fans looking for a quick indulgence during games.
“Our partnership with the Rajasthan Royals is a cornerstone of our year, and we’re thrilled to be back for another season. The ‘SLICE MAAR’ campaign is pure, unadulterated fan energy. It’s the sound of a six being hit and the feeling of grabbing the perfect slice of pizza on match night. With the new Royal Pizza Slice, we’re not just selling a product; we’re serving an essential part of the cricket ritual for every single fan, making the game-day experience more accessible and exciting than ever before,” said Gokul Kandhi, chief operating officer, Curefoods.
For Rajasthan Royals, the tie-up is less about logos and more about loyalty. “Our partnership with Olio Pizza is a testament to the long-term relationships we hold dear. Over these years, we have grown together, creating a platform that goes beyond sponsorship—one that enriches how our fans connect with every match. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration further as we continue to create meaningful, high-quality experiences for our fans,” said Alok Chitre, chief operating officer, Rajasthan Royals.
The campaign will roll out across stadiums and screens. Olio Pizza will dominate concourse activations at Royals’ home fixtures in Jaipur and Guwahati, serve as presenting sponsor for one key match, and feature an Olio-branded cheer squad during broadcasts. Co-branded kiosks and hawker units inside stadiums will push the Royal Pizza Slice to fans in real time.
Off the field, the brand is building a longer play. The Olio Dugout on Sahakar Marg in Jaipur will host watch parties, house a live merchandise store and run fan engagement programmes through the IPL season. In partnership with Super Royals, the franchise’s official fan community, Olio Pizza will also roll out contests and match-day experiences, sending select fans to live games.
Distribution is wide by design. The Royal Pizza Slice will be available across Olio Pizza outlets in more than 40 cities and via delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato.
One campaign, one slice, one swing at owning the IPL appetite—and this time, Olio wants a bigger bite.
ITV News
Amazon nears $9bn Globalstar deal to boost satellite push: Report
Talks signal push to rival Starlink as spectrum and scale come into play
NEW YORK: Amazon is in advanced talks to acquire satellite telecom firm Globalstar in a deal reportedly valued at around $9 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg, signalling a major push to strengthen its space-based connectivity ambitions.
If finalised, the deal would give Amazon immediate access to Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure, including dozens of low Earth orbit satellites and more than 20 ground stations worldwide. It would also bring valuable wireless spectrum, particularly the L-band and S-band frequencies, into Amazon’s fold, assets considered critical for enabling direct-to-device satellite communication.
The move is widely seen as a strategic shortcut for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which has faced delays due to limited rocket launch capacity. By acquiring an operational network, Amazon could effectively bridge the gap between development and deployment, accelerating its entry into the fast-growing satellite connectivity market.
The acquisition would also sharpen Amazon’s competitive edge against SpaceX and its Starlink service, which currently dominates the low Earth orbit satellite internet space. With Globalstar’s reported base of over 800,000 subscribers, Amazon could quickly scale its presence and move closer to offering seamless connectivity, even in remote or underserved regions.
However, the deal is not without complications. Apple, which holds an estimated 20 per cent stake in Globalstar, could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome. The iPhone maker currently relies on Globalstar’s satellites for its Emergency SOS via satellite feature, raising questions about how existing partnerships would be managed in the event of a takeover.
Beyond the immediate deal, the potential acquisition underscores a broader shift in the space economy. What was once an experimental frontier is rapidly consolidating, with tech giants racing to build integrated ecosystems that combine satellites, spectrum and services.
For consumers, the implications could be significant. Increased competition may accelerate the rollout of satellite-enabled mobile connectivity, bringing the promise of always-on coverage closer to reality.
For Amazon, the message is clear. The race to connect the planet is heating up, and it is looking to move from playing catch-up to setting the pace.
