News Broadcasting
News channel stock up on government ok for FII inflows
MUMBAI: Media stocks showed varied movements on the stock market and rallied smartly after the government today announced FIIs, non-resident Indians and overseas corporate bodies will be allowed to invest in the print medium’s news category and TV news channels.
One of the major gainers at the stock market was Deccan Chronicle that opened at Rs 185 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to close at a high of Rs 212, gaining in the process Rs. 26.55.
Yes Bank country head, entertainment and media, Sunil Kheterpal said, “The approval, which has been pending for a while, is a welcome step for both the print and electronic media (stocks).”
Another market analyst stated, “The news about allowing FIIs, etc was doing the rounds and the market today reacted optimistically to the formal announcement.”
Most of media stocks, except Zee Telefilms, registered varied degree of gains on the stock market today, buoyed by the government announcement after a Cabinet meeting.
TV Today Network, which opened at Rs 79.25, closed for the day at Rs 88. NDTV opened at Rs 196.45 and closed the day at Rs 214. TV 18 opened at Rs 267.20 and closed for the day at Rs 278. Zee closed at Rs 142.30 after opening the day at Rs 146.
Dwelling on the media stock rally a market analyst was of the opinion that NDTV, TV 18 and Deccan Chronical would be “on the radar of FIIs.”
Mid-Day Multimedia, which had kicked up a political controversy when it went public few years back because of the possibility of FIIs investing in the stock and, thus, in an Indian newspaper, today opened at Rs 63 to close the day at Rs 70.
While pointing out that FIIs would be “interested in media stocks, though being selective,” another stock market analyst opined Mid-day Multimedia is still grappling with competition and might be “one of the less likely contenders” (for FII investments).
In this connection, market analysts feel that a possibility of the Indian Express group and Hindustan Times, which are also looking at going public, will bring good growth in the print media sector.
The Union Cabinet today okayed investments in print’s news category by FIIs, OCBs and NRIs within the overall foreign investment cap of 26 for this sector.
I&B minister Jaipal Reddy while making an announcement on allowing printing of facsimile editions of foreign newspapers in India ruled out any threat to the Indian newspapers.
“There would be no threat to the invasion of news content of Indian newspapers because while facsimile editions of foreign papers have been allowed, these papers must be a standard publication in their own country as well, and their Indian editions will not be permitted,” the minister explained.
Dwelling on the electronic media, Reddy reiterated that the ceiling on foreign investment of 26 per cent cap will hold, but, as hinted earlier, FIIs, OCB, NRIs, have been permitted to invest in news channels as well.
Market analysts believe that the upturn in the media sector augurs well for investors. “There is scope to substantially increase FII investment in the broadcasting companies,” a fund manager in a leading broking house said.
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.
