News Broadcasting
FremantleMedia inks deals with Canada’s CTV Network
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has inked multi-year deals with Canada’s CTV for both American Idol and Canadian Idol. The announcement was made by FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender together with CTV Media Group chair and CTV president of programming Susanne Boyce.
Fremantle International Distribution through its Canadian agent, Media Group International, inked a long-term broadcast extension with CTV securing the Canadian broadcast rights to American Idol seasons six, seven, eight and nine. The long-term commitment cements CTV’s ongoing relationship with the programme that began in September 2002 when the broadcaster signed on for American Idol’s season one two-part finale.
Since then, American Idol has become a blockbuster sensation in Canada with each season outperforming the previous one. Last year, season four of American Idol in Canada finished as the country’s No. 2 programme in the Top 10.
Now, Canadians have made CTV’s season five premiere of American Idol another record breaker, when more than three million viewers tuned into the 17 January, 2006 two-hour premiere.
Ellender said, “After its proven success in the Canadian market, we are thrilled to have signed a long-term deal with CTV to continue their relationship with the eternally popular American Idol. The programme has been a massive hit and we are certain it will only go from strength to strength as our partnership with CTV continues.”
Simultaneously, FremantleMedia has inked a multi-year extension with CTV for the format rights to Canadian Idol, Canada’s most successful English-language homegrown series. CTV has locked up the format rights for seasons four, five, six, seven and eight of the series that has spawned three record-breaking seasons to date. In Canada, CTV has taken the Canadian Idol program to the No. 1 spot on Canada’s Top 20 for three consecutive years.
Season three recently generated 38 million votes, more than the country’s population, while averaging more than two million viewers per episode.
In response to the Canadian Idol deal, Frot-Coutaz said, “We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with CTV through this extended production deal, ensuring Canadian Idol’s prominence for another five seasons. The programme’s ratings dominance is a testament to the high production values and commitment to excellence. We’ve no doubt it will enjoy continued success.”
Boyce added, “For CTV, Canadian and American Idol are much more than just complementary. In fact, the existence of one magnifies the other. We look forward to a renewed commitment with our partners at FremantleMedia.”
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.
