iWorld
Hindustan Times owner abandons Chennai airwaves
NEW DELHI: HT Media is tuning out of its Chennai radio operations, walking away from two FM licences that generated barely enough revenue to cover their electric bills. The Hindustan Times publisher disclosed on 25 November that its subsidiaries are surrendering broadcasting rights for stations on 94.3 FM and 91.9 FM, citing the ventures as “financially and strategically unviable.”
Next Radio Ltd, an HT Media subsidiary, has already shut its 94.3 FM station as of 24 October, having surrendered its licence to the ministry of information and broadcasting. Now HT Music and Entertainment Company, the group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, is following suit with its 91.9 FM station, branded as Fever. That operation will go dark on 24 December after submitting its licence surrender application.
The numbers tell the story. The 94.3 FM station scraped together Rs 2.17 crore in revenue last financial year—a meagre 0.12 per cent of HT Media’s consolidated turnover. The 91.9 FM operation fared marginally better at Rs 4.58 crore, representing 0.25 per cent of group sales. Both licences were valid through March 2030, but the company saw no point in bleeding cash for another four years.
HT Media assured investors the surrenders would have “negligible” impact on its operations—which is corporate speak for admitting these stations never mattered much in the first place.
Chennai’s FM dial just got quieter. The southern metropolis, it seems, wasn’t tuning in.
iWorld
Crocs India ropes in Rakesh Bedi for quirky new digital campaign
Veteran actor brings humour and nostalgia to brand’s latest ‘Crocshake’ film.
MUMBAI: Crocs has decided to shake things up quite literally by teaming up with veteran actor Rakesh Bedi for its latest digital campaign. The campaign, conceptualised by One Hand Clap, cleverly taps into the current wave of nostalgia and character-led content. It features Rakesh Bedi, who is currently enjoying renewed popularity after Dhurandhar, in a series of increasingly chaotic yet humorous everyday situations.
At the centre of the film is a simple handshake that spirals into a chain of unexpected twists, culminating in the fun “Crocshake.” The light-hearted narrative highlights how ordinary social moments can turn into memorable ones, perfectly aligning with Crocs’ brand ethos of individuality, comfort, and self-expression.
Crocs India country manager Manoj Juneja said the campaign reflects the brand’s desire to stay culturally relevant. “This collaboration with Rakesh Bedi blends humour, nostalgia, and contemporary trends to create content that entertains and sparks conversations,” he noted.
Rakesh Bedi added, “What I loved about this campaign was how naturally the humour came through. It takes a simple, everyday situation and turns it into something completely unexpected. It’s always exciting to be part of something audiences can instantly connect with.”
The campaign builds on Crocs India’s ongoing strategy of creating relatable, digital-first storytelling that resonates with a wide audience while staying true to the brand’s playful personality.
In a crowded footwear market, Crocs continues to stand out by keeping things fun, comfortable, and conversation-worthy proving once again that sometimes all you need is a good shake (or Crocshake) to make your mark.
