News Broadcasting
New Adventure travel series ‘Freedom Riders Asia’, Celebrating man and motorcycle on the move, debuts on ESPN India on 19 may
MUMBAI: Well-known motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman rides onto screens in Asia with the debut of Freedom Riders Asia, a six-part adventure travel series celebrating man and motorcycle on the move across six Asian countries. A premiere screening held today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, showcased the first episode of the series that was shot in Malaysia, which will be aired on Sunday 19 May 2013 on ESPN India at 2100 HKT.
Conceptualised and developed by FOX One Stop Media, the integrated sales arm of FOX International Channels (FIC), News Corporation’s international multi-media business, in close collaboration with global lubricants brand Shell Advance Motorcycle Oil, Freedom Riders Asia sees Charley Boorman, one of the world’s most renowned and recognised bikers, embark on a journey to explore the colourful biking landscapes of Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.
From picking tea leaves on the hillside plantations of India, to surfing the legendary waves of Bali’s black sand beaches, Charley meets local biking communities and incredible personalities along the way who show him the delights of each city and the way of life from the back of a motorcycle. In each episode, Charley immerses himself in each country’s unique biking culture, quite often with surprising results.
In the debut Malaysia episode, viewers will get to see Charley learn the important role the motorcycle plays for many individuals in their daily lives along with taking on a challenge with a well-known local biking personality that will see him fighting for his very reputation!
Kar-Tai Koh, Shell Advance Global Brand Manager, said: “After six months of hard work and a truly collaborative effort, I am extremely proud of the outcome of Freedom Riders Asia. We really wanted the series to be about celebrating and connecting bikers around Asia; and who better to help us achieve this than Charley Boorman? This is part of Shell Advance’s efforts to empower bikers to experience more freedom on the road in their day-to-day lives and enjoy every ride. I would like to thank FOX for this great working opportunity, our featured local guests as well as all relevant parties involved in making this show possible.”
Simeon Dawes, Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales and Partnerships, Asia Pacific & The Middle East, FOX One Stop Media said, “One of the objectives of this unique programme is to showcase the diversity of Asia through its different motorcycling cultures, and I believe Freedom Riders Asia has done exactly that, while shedding light on how integral the motorcycle is to the daily lives of so many. This truly has been an exciting collaboration with Shell Advance, and I hope that audiences across Asia will enjoy watching this series as much as we had in making it!”
He continued, “FOX SPORTS is committed to bringing motor sports fans across Asia the most comprehensive line-up of premier action from around the globe and the region with the live coverage of events such as MotoGP and Superbike World Championships. Freedom Riders Asia is another such initiative that provides fans a unique dimension about motor sports from beyond the motorcycle racing scene.”
Charley Boorman said: “What I loved most about the Freedom Riders Asia experience was the opportunity to meet locals with larger-than-life characters and ride with passionate bikers in a completely different part of the world. This is indeed a bike trip of a lifetime that I will always remember. The first episode is as exciting as the next, and I hope that the audience in Asia will stay close and enjoy the series as they experience Asia with me!”
The airing schedule* is as follows:
Episodes
Date
ESPN India
Ep 1 Malaysia 19 May 16:00
Ep 2 Philippines 25 May 16:00
Ep 3 Indonesia 2 June 16:00
Ep 4 India 9 June 16:00
Ep 5 Vietnam 16 June 16:00
Ep 6 Thailand 23 June 16:00
*Note that there will be three repeats for each episode. Refer to http://tv.foxsportsasia.com/ for repeat schedule.
Keeping in mind fans desire to deep dive into their favorite sports, a special digital initiative in form of the Shell Advance YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/user/shelladvance) has been set up where fans can catch exclusive content such as very interesting behind the scenes clips as well as catch up on any missed episodes.
To reach out to a larger audience base across different demographics and genres, Freedom Riders Asia is being promoted extensively across Fox International Channels Asia’s family of channels such as FOX, National Geographic and FX
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
