GECs
Epic awaits BARC rollout; to launch new programming
MUMBAI: The media and entertainment industry will now have to get used to a new ratings system, which is scheduled to begin by the end of this month. And as Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) gears up to roll out its ratings data, Epic has a treat in store for audiences with a fresh programming line-up.
A lot of speculation and anxiety over the new television rating system came to rest last week when BARC announced that the new ratings system would be out every Wednesday by April end.
In order to launch its new shows the “segmented” Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Epic is waiting for the new ratings rollout.
A source close to the development tells Indiantelevision.com, “The channel is now four months old and has gone through its initial run. We are waiting for the BARC ratings to roll out and then put the new programmes on-air so that we know how the shows are doing in terms of numbers. Moreover, with that we will also have a clearer picture to show to advertisers.”
Though the content is kept under wraps, a show which has already created a lot of buzz before its release is Anurag Basu’s adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chokher Bali.
Additionally, veteran Bollywood scriptwriter and poet Javed Akhtar has also been roped for a show called Jaane Pehchaane on the channel. The series is slated to go on air in June and will have Akhtar as a narrator reminiscing about films, actors and famous dialogues of yesteryears.
Positioned as the first ‘segmented’ channel on Indian television, Epic currently airs only four shows throughout the day – two fiction series titled Dharmakshetra and Siyaasat and two non-fiction shows – Kahi Suni and Ekaant.
Founded by former Disney India managing director Mahesh Samat, Epic clocked around 1,246 GVTs in its debut week when it launched in November last year.
Wanting viewers to step in and out as per their convenience, all the shows on the channel were designed for a finite period. Epic began airing content pertaining to Indian history, folklore and mythology, in a contemporary storytelling format.
The channel started with around 13-15 weekly shows, most of which were hour-long. On weekends, the channel airs films that are in sync with its core proposition, Kahaniyaan Hindustan Ki (Hindi for fables of India), chosen from the channel’s library of 20 movies. On weekdays, Epic airs around two-and-a-half hours of original content starting at 8 pm.
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.
