GECs
Kappa TV asks viewers to shoot an idea
MUMBAI: First, it dared to go off the beaten track with a programming mix in four languages including Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English. And now, Kerala Mathrubhumi Group’s youth-centric music channel – Kappa TV – will telecast a new contest show for a month starting end-November.
The contest is about being creative with your mobile gadgets and though a date and time hasn’t been fixed yet, it will be a half an hour show with 24 minutes of content and 6 minutes of advertising during prime time from Monday to Friday with repeats over the weekend.
Participants will be required to click/record a short film or photo gallery/music album and submit online to the channel, with entries of not more than 3 minutes’ duration. The second level will see 30 people selected from each category, whittled down to 10 each. Three winners will be chosen from each category in the third and final level, with prizes worth Rs 3.5 lakh distributed among the nine winners, who will be featured on Kappa TV. Of the three levels, the first has no particular theme while the second and third rounds will be more specific.
“We want to see to what extent people can extend their imagination,” says Mathrubhumi TV CEO Mohan Nair, who is helming the eight-strong in-house team producing the show.
What about the authenticity of the clips being received? Nair says they won’t know in the first round but for the next two rounds, a separate team will monitor the participants.
While the show host and three judges are being finalised, it is certain they will be popular local personalities. Each episode, shot in Malayalam at the Mathrubhumi TV Studio, will feature six people demonstrating not only their creativity but also delving into their work, family and aspirations.
Promotions are on since 22 October, and will go on till 21 November, involving the Mathrubhumi Group’s strong media line up of news and radio channels, newspapers and website, as also outdoor hoardings and college activities in the form of game shows.
“The contest is open to all but we are getting the youth involved because they are very much in tune with mobile phones and they are also keen to be involved with channels. Our research revealed that not just students but also parents are watching Kappa TV,” says Nair.
Not surprisingly, Kappa TV has 22,773 subscribers on YouTube while its Facebook page boasts 31, 632 likes. In keeping with the concept of the show, Kappa has roped in Idea Cellular as on-ground and on-air sponsor.
Hope this ‘idea’ works for Kappa TV gets in youngsters as well as elders to spin their creative ideas.
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.
