GECs
Exit ‘Idol’, enter refurbished, reslotted SET
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MUMBAI: After Indian Idol, what? That has been the question on many a mind as Sony Entertainment Television prepares to bid adieu to its big ticket reality show which has created such a frenzy. A whole lot actually. Idol’s finale on Saturday will be followed up with new shows, changes of time slots and sprucing up of current properties. Heavy duty programming rejigging is what SET will witness all this month, SET business head Tarun Katial has revealed to indiantelevision.com.
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On the cards now, is the reslotting of Aahat 2 which will shift position from 9 pm on Fridays to the Idol slot at 9:30 pm.  Slotting into the vacant Thursday 9:30 to 10:30 pm space will be Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin and Yeh Meri Life Hain, both of which will return to their original four days a week run. Jassi… will air at 9:30 pm and Yeh Meri… at 10 pm.
One positive going for KYHPH will probably be that none of Balaji’s heavyweight “K” soaps air at the same time on Star Plus. So there will be no head-to-head as it were. |
| ‘JASSI’ MAKEOVER WITHIN NEXT 15 DAYS
Ayushmaan (the Indianised Doogie Howser MD), meanwhile, will be refurbished with the essential tweaking that the property currently demands, says Katial. And as for Indian Idol, although it bids adieu in the next four days, it will return for its second season in the second half of 2005, he promises.
Thats the action for the month of March. Will SET manage to capitalise on the impact made by Idol. That’s the million dollar question. |
Already up and running is Batliwalla House No 43 slotted at 9 pm every Friday launched last week.
One show that is getting the heave ho is the twins separated at birth tale Hum Do Hain Na that launched last August. Shortly taking its place is “a very different passionate love story” Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hain from soap factory Balaji Telefilms. KYHPH will air at 8 pm Mondays through to Wednesdays.
Coming to current properties, lead character Jassi in Jassi Jaissi.. will finally adorn the much awaited new avatar and the plot promises to get a lot thicker in no less than 15 days. One point of note is that Katial has no plans to take Jassi.. off air anytime in the foreseeable future. So where the story is now headed will be worth watching.
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.
