GECs
Star Plus unveils IIFA Awards series
MUMBAI: Star Plus kick starts its telecast of the Samsung IIFA Awards on Sunday, 26 June at 9:30 pm. The channel will telecast the event through multiple episodes with the culmination being the final awards ceremony on 26 June.
The channel targets about 500 million viewers across the world with the property. The broadcast of the Samsung IIFA Awards will cover over 100 countries across the continents of the world, claims an official release.
Shahrukh Khan compeered the spectacular awards ceremony, with Karan Johar and Fardeen Khan. The awards ceremony included performances by Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, Lara Dutta, Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora, Esha Deol, Isha Sharwani, Shahid Kapoor- Kareena Kapoor, the star cast of film Chocolate and international pop sensations Bombay Rockers and Rouge, states the release.
The special attraction this year at the IIFA Red Carpet were the fashions especially created by designers Anna Singh, Vikram Phadnis and Manish Malhotra. The diamond jewelry was courtesy D’damas. Star Plus brings to you a half hour special on the Red Carpet on 25 June at 8:00 pm, according to the release.
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.
