GECs
Zee TV’s ‘Ishq Subhan Allah’ year’s second highest weekday fiction launch across GECs
MUMBAI: Zee TV recently put the spotlight on Triple Talaaq with its new fiction show Ishq Subhan Allah introducing viewers to the turbulent love story of Zara (Eisha Singh) and Kabeer (Adnan Khan) – an Islamic couple dealing with the issue first-hand. Raising pertinent questions about women having a say in the system of divorce and sending out a strong message of women’s empowerment, the show opened with 8460 impressions (‘000s) in HSM and 5346 impressions (‘000s) in Urban markets. This milestone opening gives the show the leadership position in the 10pm slot and the pedestal of being the second highest opening weekday fiction show of the financial year amongst pay Hindi GECs, second only to Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya that had opened with 5796 impressions (‘000s) @ HSM- Urban in its launch week.
Commenting on the ratings, Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “In keeping with our brand philosophy Aaj likhenge Kal, it is our constant endeavor to present viewers with progressive stories that are not only entertaining but also provoke them into thinking differently, get inspired, take charge of their destiny and work towards an extraordinary future. With Ishq Subhan Allah, we bring audiences the love story of a Muslim couple where the man and woman beg to differ on matters of interpreting and applying religion to their daily lives. We have dwelled into the issue of Triple Talaaq which was never spoken about in a prime-time fiction show. The response that the show has received in its opening week stands testimony to the the universal applause and the warm welcome given to the show by Indian audiences.”
Year 2018 has started on an upbeat note for Zee TV with each of its fiction launches bringing forth a strong message inspiring the masses to introspect and question prevalent mindsets. Be it Aapke Aa Jane Se that questioned whether an older woman needs a license to love a younger man or Kaleerein that highlighted the sad reality of Indian society expecting women to change for marriage, each of the channel’s new propositions have resonated very strongly with the great Indian middle class. With the all-round acceptance of the path-breaking Ishq Subhan Allah, Zee TV sure seems to be leveraging the strong brand equity it has built in the Muslim social drama space that it pioneered with the immensely successful Qubool Hai that ran into three glorious seasons.
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.
