GECs
Sony shuffles prime time shows; ‘Idol’ now at 9 pm
MUMBAI: Its prime time reshuffle at Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India. In a bid to get some traction going for its tent pole property Indian Idol, Sony has now pushed the season two of the one hour reality talent hunt to the 9 pm slot from the earlier 8:30 pm slot. The change will be effective from 13 February.
The first season of Indian Idol was aired in the 9:30 pm time slot. However with the second season, the channel had hoped to encash on the strong cachet in the 8:30 pm band that Fame Gurukul had managed to make and hence Indian Idol 2 was positioned in that time slot.
The official reason given for the time slot shuffle is that viewers in the metros were unable to catch the show at 8:30 pm and hence the change.
Deal Ya No Deal, which at present airs from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm from Wednesday to Friday has also been shifted to the 9 pm slot. As a result of this, Ek Ladki Anjaani Si, which aired after Indian Idol (Mondays and Tuesdays) and Deal Ya No Deal (Wednesday to Friday) at 9:30 pm has been pushed back to the 8:30 pm slot.
However, the serials Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai at 8 pm, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin at 10 pm and CID Special Bureau at 10.30 pm will continue to air in their old time slots.
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.
