News Broadcasting
MTV to expand music offerings through music gaming firm Harmonix acquisition
MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV will acquire Harmonix Music Systems. The firm develops the PlayStation 2 product Guitar Hero and other music gaming titles.
MTV will pay $175 million in cash. In addition, Harmonix shareholders may be eligible for incremental earn-out payments through 2008, to the extent that financial results exceed specific targets. MTV says that the acquisition demonstrates its commitment to music and
furthers its strategy of engaging passionate music fans through a deep and immersive multi-platform entertainment experience.
With the addition of Harmonix’s music gaming titles, MTV will enhance its music-based
universe of entertainment, news, gaming, and interactive content offerings, and increase audience engagement and time spent with the brand across all screens.
The announcement follows MTV Games’ successful partnership, initiated in November 2005, to feature Harmonix’s Guitar Hero franchise in original programming, creative promotions and competitions across a number of MTV’s multi-platform properties.
Guitar Hero, published by RedOctane/Activision, is among the top-selling PlayStation 2 games this year and has been honoured with several accolades at the Interactive Achievement Awards, Game Developer Choice Awards, and other industry events. Guitar Hero 2 is
scheduled for release later this year.
MTV president Christina Norman says, “The acquisition of Harmonix will deepen MTV’s connection to its audience via on-line, mobile and console music gaming, and expand the
relationship with both labels and artists through the creation of games based on classic songs as well as future album releases.
“Harmonix’s technology allows everyone to pursue their rock and roll fantasies, even people like me, with more musical ambition than actual talent.”
Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman says, “Harmonix is a wonderful addition to Viacom’s tremendous collection of digital assets, and is precisely the type of transaction that will help us aggressively grow our digital business while maintaining strong fiscal discipline.
“We’re committed to a swift integration and look forward to helping Harmonix
become even stronger with the support of the incredible marketing and creative power at MTV Networks.”
MTV chairman and CEO Judy McGrath, says, “The acquisition of Harmonix advances MTV Networks’ strategy of connecting with target audiences by creating immersive, multi-platform environments that extend to every device they use. Harmonix is an innovator in giving audiences new and dynamic ways to interact with music, and I couldn’t be
more excited to welcome the company into MTV Networks’ strong portfolio of multi-platform brands.”
Harmonix introduced Frequency in 2001 and Amplitude in 2003. These games won numerous accolades including one of Rolling Stone’s “Best Console Games of 2003” and IGN’s “Reader Top 10”. The company also developed the Karaoke Revolution franchise, which turned singing into a competitive game. This title was
named by TIME Magazine as the “#1 Video Game of 2003” and won Electronic
Gaming Monthly’s 2003 “Gaming Innovation of the Year” award.
Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos says, “We are very excited to combine our unique assets in the music and gaming space with one of the most recognised brands in the music world. We
look forward to continuing to create innovative ways for people to enjoy music.
Rigopulos and other key employees will continue in their roles following the completion of the acquisition. Harmonix will join MTV
Networks’ Music and Logo Enterprises unit, led by Jeff Yapp who is the executive VP of the unit.
He says, “Harmonix’s talented team will be a powerful and important addition to MTV that brings enormous talent and expertise. All of us are excited to begin working with them to develop meaningful and creative ways to deliver
music to our audience”.
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.
