News Broadcasting
Zee News claims to have usurped Aaj Tak’s ‘Numero Uno’ slot
MUMBAI: The race has begun. Latest, Zee News issued a release claiming that it has elbowed the numero uno Hindi news channel Aaj Tak from its prime position and it is indeed on the top now.
Starting with a quirky ‘Haqeeqat’ beats ‘Sabse Tez’ line, Zee News claims that it has managed to do so because of its ‘differentiating’ coverage and special reports. Quoting the Tam research data for the week ending 18 September, C&S 4+ households, Zee News claims that it has regained the leadership position in news genre.
According to the release, Zee News claims that it tops in the stickiness quotient as the viewers spent maximum time on the channel. Referring to the data, the channel claims that the time-spend on Zee News is 30 minutes (which is 15 per cent more than Aaj Tak’s time-spend), as against 26 minutes on Aaj Tak and 24 minutes on NDTV India.
While, as far as the channel shares go, Zee News claims that it leads with 30 per cent channel share ahead of Aaj Tak’s 28 per cent, NDTV India’s 24 per cent and Star News only four per cent in Delhi. In four Metros, share of Zee News is 22.9 per cent, which is equal to Aaj Tak 22.9 per cent and more than NDTV India’s share 20.4 per cent.
Zee News’ weekly feature Crime File, claims the release, is favourite with viewers as the top programme in news genre and in addition to that four out of the top 10 programmes in news genre are from Zee News.
“The resurgence in Zee News ratings and viewership is a result of dogged pursuit of Haqeeqat and continuous focus on differentiating content,” says Zee Telefilms Ltd Director News Group Laxmi Goyal.
Recent coverage, including one on Venus Transit – Shukra Hai Suraj Hai, exclusive reporting from accident site during the Mastygandha train accident, helped Zee News gain huge leads on its rivals, claims the release.
The breaking news and continuous coverage of Kumbhkonam tragedy, the nation wide debate initiated on capital punishment on hanging of Dhanjay, the exclusive Inside story on call girl rackets and the recent coverage and happy solution of Guriya’s dilemma, claims the release, has helped consolidated Zee News’s position as thought leader.
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.
