GECs
7 Star Care to launch two interactive shows
MUMBAI: 7 Star Care, the only health channel in India, has gone interactive. Three of its shows are SMS-driven, allowing viewers to ask questions on their health issues.
We have tied up with all the mobile operators. The SMS-driven queries will allow us to go closer to the viewers, says 7 Star Care promoter Atul Saraf.
The channel plans to launch two more interactive shows in July. Mera Astitva will deal with issues like alcohol consumption and old age where a five-minute picturisation will be followed by an opinion poll from viewers through SMS. The half-hour programme will be aired on Sundays.
The other one-hour weekly show will feature issues like AIDS, selling of kidneys and mismanagement in hospitals. Viewers can SMS their questions which will be answered to by experts.
The channels interactive programmes include Hello Doctor (to get tips from doctors), Rudraksha (viewers SMS their name and date of birth to get the appropriate Rudraksha) and Swad Aur Swasth Meena (given a weekly diet chart).
7 Star Care is on the global beam of Thaicom and is uplinked from Bangkok. The channel came up after Care TV, floated by Tanu Healthcare Ltd, shut down transmission due to non payment of uplinking charges to VSNL since February.
Tanu Healthcare had sold the brand and logo of the channel to Take Care TV, which ran the operations (programming, marketing and distribution of Care TV) for eight months from January 2004. But in August, Tanu served a legal notice, accusing Take Care of not paying for the acquisition of the brand.
Take Care TV, floated by Saraf, is planning to sue Tanu Healthcare for damages worth Rs 100 million, an amount which it claims it had invested towards programming, marketing and distribution of the channel. Tanu, says Saraf, had promised to grant Take Care a no objection certificate for use of uplinking facility for Care TV from VSNL to Thaicom satellite, but had done nothing towards it.
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.
