News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide in licensing deal with Character Options
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has awarded the master toy licence for the show Primeval to Character Options, the trading subsidiary of The Character Group.
Since its appointment by Impossible as the programme’s international distributor and merchandising agent, BBC Worldwide has secured television sales for the Primeval series in 20 territories, with further deals still to be announced.
BBC head of UK Licensing Richard Hollis said, “Character’s ability at modelling and marketing monstrous creatures using amazing technology makes them the ideal partner for us on Primeval and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Impossible Pictures on this exciting series.”
Primeval is a science fiction drama, which has been renewed for a second series in 2008, and follows a team of scientists battling terrifying prehistoric creatures that are slipping into the modern world through anomalies in time.
Character Options is one of UK’s largest toy companies and has enjoyed success alongside BBC Worldwide through a Doctor Who range of products, winning a number of awards and selling well over 1.7 million figures last year alone.
The first series of Primeval which started earlier this year, achieved an average rating of almost 6.5 million viewers for each of the first six episodes and this success is expected to continue next year.
Character Group MD Jon Diver says, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Master licence for the toys relating to this successful series for which, the ratings speak for themselves, reflecting the show’s success as great Saturday night family viewing.
“We will be producing an extensive line of exciting products that will include a Dragonfly Rex and Agnurognathus which will be available from this October and will be TV advertised, followed by a number of other action figures and creatures from series one and two being released in January 2008.”
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.
