News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak claims to lead clutch of news channels
MUMBAI: The erstwhile monarch of its terrain, Aaj Tak now has again claimed the top slot among the slew of new news channels on air.
Quoting TAM ratings for the week ended 12 July, the channel claims to have a full-day channel share of 41 per cent in the all-India market. This figure goes up to 43 per cent during prime time in the Hindi speaking market, says the channel. The closest in full day channel shares is Star News with a 20 per cent share and Zee News following at 15 per cent.
Citing a Cybermedia Research report on channel viewership released recently, Aaj Tak says it has been named the most sought-after news channel. A NFO MBL research on viewers’ preferences has also placed Aaj Tak at the top, with most of the viewers claiming it as their favourite channel, says the Living Media backed broadcaster.
While fledgling sister channel Headlines Today is yet to make headlines in the news channel sphere, Aaj Tak says rival channels’ claim that they are taking a lead over it are baseless and are a misrepresentation of facts. Aaj Tak is the only news channel that has a full advertisement inventory, a reinforcement of the advertisers’ faith in the brand as the only channel in its category that provides a serious and dedicated viewership, it says.
In terms of time spent by viewers on news channels, Aaj Tak again leads the pack, with a 38 minute share as against 21 minutes spent on Star News. The channel reach too is ahead of rivals, but the revamped Star News is catching up, while Zee News, Sahara Samay and NDTV India still lag behind.
The channel that bagged three best news channel awards in less than two years of its existence now features not just hard-core news bulletins but soft news items too like health, cinema, metro news and features on international news. The strategy has reaped a loyal advertising clientele as also a quality audience base, says Aaj Tak.
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.
