GECs
Paritosh Painter quits Reliance Broadcast Network
MUMBAI: Paritosh Painter, who was brought in as network creative director by Reliance Broadcast for radio channel 92.7 Big FM as well as television channel Big Magic, has quit.
Painter will now be concentrating on his theatrical productions, film & TV writing.
Painter had created & written Akbar Birbal for Big Magic, which is one of the channel’s biggest shows. He also helped create a number of shows for Big Magic & Big FM.
“Beside concentrating on his theatre and writing projects, the channel’s gradual shift towards non-fiction from fiction is also a reason behind Painter’s resignation,” said a source close to the development.
Having over 15 years of experience in the field of entertainment, Painter has directed over 23 plays in Hindi and English and has done 2500 shows across the globe. Besides this, he has scripted several Bollywood films like Dhamaal (2007), Paying Guest (2009) and All The Best: Fun Begins (2009). His repertoire also includes stand-up comedy, content development and producing shows on television.
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.
