GECs
Space, Sun to get DTH LoIs in ‘day or two’
NEW DELHI: Star India’s long wait for the launch of a direct-to-home service in India looks finally to be coming to an end.
The decks have all but been cleared for the issuance of letters of intent (LoI) to two DTH applications pending with the information and broadcasting ministry. Space TV, the Tata Sons and Star group 80:20 joint venture and the Sun Group’s proposed DTH platform Sun DirectTV
The newly appointed Information and Broadcasting secretary S K Arora confirmed today that his ministry would be issuing “in a day or two” letters of intent relating to the DTH licence of Space TV and Sun DirectTV. The scrutiny “process is complete” as all queries have been satisfactorily answered by the applicants, Arora said.
This ends a long and tortuous wait for Star in particular, which has been in quest of a DTH licence since 2002.
The LoI will be the first step en route for ‘okaying’ the DTH venture. With the LoI in hand, the applicants can formally go ahead.
The applicants have to deposit Rs 100 million on receiving the LoI, after which another set of clearances will fall in place.
It may be recalled that the earlier Space TV application had to be made afresh in 2003 as the government was of the opinion that the Indian partnership was more of a dummy.
Of course, no such issues confronted Sun TV supremo Kalanithi Maran in regard to his Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd.
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.
