GECs
Star One comic talent hunt via reality show
MUMBAI: Star One’s ready to tickle your funny bone. Considering the fact that reality seems to be the flavour of the season, Star One’s latest endeavour is the promise of a laughter riot. Essentially a reality show, the Hindi entertainment channel from Star has announced The Great Indian Comedy Challenge which is a nationwide hunt for the best comic talent in India.
The show will provide a platform for all-comers to prove their talent across all genres of humour. Humour kings Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Sidhu will be donning the judges’ hats. The big-ticket prize includes a double whammy, with the winner getting an entry to the ensemble cast of The Great Indian Comedy Show, and will also get an opportunity to host an all-new comedy show on Star One.
The call for entries, will be open till 24 April. Number lagao, Hamein hasao, Kismet ki ghanti bajao – is the theme of the promos which are currently playing across the Star network. Aspirants can enter the challenge by calling up an IVR-activated number, or sending in VHS tapes and VCDs.
Star One has also tied up with Café Coffee Day to enable more people to participate through its large network of outlets across the country. Sixty of the best entries will be chosen to participate in the final rounds of this comic challenge and compete for the coveted prize.
Announcing the launch, Star One vice-president programming Ravi Menon said, “At Star One programming innovation has been our key driver. The show is another step towards fulfilling Star One’s promise of providing contemporary and aspirational Indian programming to audiences.
“There is tremendous comic talent across India and we are confident that with this show we will bring them to the forefront. The Great Indian Comedy Show is one of our highest rated shows and our latest discovery will be the newest addition to the show.”
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.
