GECs
Asianet institutes Asianet Kudumbam Awards
MUMBAI: Malayalam channel Asianet has initiated competition among its shows by launching the Asianet Kudumbam Awards. The first edition of the awards will evaluate serials telecast in the channel between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2004.
From the serials, the channel aims to find out best serial, best father, best son, best daughter, best brother, best son-in-law, best daughter-in-law, best mother-in-law, best daughter, best comedian, best family, best character artist and best house.
The serials vying for the top honours include Chechiyamma, Sthree oru Swanthanam, Swapnam, Mangalyam, Swantham, Megham, Muhoortham, Kadamattath Kathanar, Avicharitam, Dambatyageetangal, Black & White and Orma.
Viewers have been given the responsibility to judge the best performers. The channel will announce winners in a press conference on 3 March. The award function will be held on 5 March in Thiruvananthapuram. Asianet will telecast the mega event later.
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.
