GECs
Zee ups consumer push for Dish TV
NEW DELHI: Sensing that the Tata-Star combine, which got a green signal last week from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), for a joint venture company, is all set to up gears as far as its direct-to-home (DTH) venture is concerned, Dish TV too is attempting to smoothen out the rough edges. Especially those related to marketing.
Dish TV is the brand name under which Subhash Chandras companies, ASC Enterprises and Zee Telefilms, are implementing the countrys first KU-band DTH service.According to Zee Tele vice-chairman Jawahar Goel, a new initiative relating to DTH distributors, aimed at facilitating easy accessibility for consumers, is being planned soon. “The distributor locator scheme through SMS (over mobile telephony) would be put in place within a few days so that consumers interested in the DTH service would find it easier to know more about the service,” he added.
Under the new scheme, any person can send an SMS to a re-designated number, which would be heavily advertised by Dish TV, giving his/her area of residence or wherever the DTH hardware is to be installed. A reply would be generated wherein the details of a distributor nearest to the senders location would be provided.
Alternately, a prospective DTH consumer can go to ASC Enterprises and/or Zee Telefilms sites to locate a Dish TV distributor in his/her city of choice.
This move has been initiated, Goel pointed out, as the feedback has been that people have been finding it difficult to locate distributors for the DTH service.
Dish TV is also looking at increasing the number of channels being offered to consumers, which would go up to 100 from the existing 48-odd at present, including new inductees in the form of ESPN and Star Sports.
Quite a few of the probable new channels have been tied up, while work is continuing on others, Goel said.
In this connection, it is learnt that ASC Enterprises group president and CEO Punit Goenka is scheduled to visit Cannes in France for the MIP TV event, with an aim to do some content shopping.
Meanwhile, Dish TV logo too has undergone a change and the new avatar can be seen on leaflets being distributed currently by the company.
Asked about the reason behind the new logo, Goel said that internally people wanted some changes and so it was done.
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.
