News Broadcasting
CNN remains outside of the impact of TRP measurement systems: Abhijeet Dhar
NEW DELHI: The theatrics surrounding the alleged manipulation of TRP by some of the top channels has prompted BARC to temporarily dismiss data sharing for the news genre, leaving an already unsatisfied community of leaders worrying further. While some players are taking it as an opportunity to reconsider their programming strategies and content, a few have again highlighted their points of contention for the existing measurement system.
However, in a recent exclusive conversation with Indiantelevision.com, CNN International director – sales South Asia Abhijeet Dhar claimed that the organisation has maintained a distance from the TRP rat race, and therefore, remains unimpacted by BARC’s decision.
He said, “CNN has been in India for a long time and has always strived to remain outside of this (measurement) system; earlier, there was TAM and now there is BARC. I think we are vaccinated and immune in that regard. Our approach to working with clients has been very different and we will continue to work in the same manner.”
Dhar added that CNN’s approach to any client conversation is keeping the audience at the centre of everything and where the advertising message is supposed to be reaching.
“For us, the audience has always been at the heart of everything we do, be it editorial or sales. There is a big task force that sits with the client and discusses with them premium content, cross-platform initiatives, and the best narratives to reach the right audience. Everything is then curated basis the client brief.”
He asserted that they do not work with a sales-centred approach as it will be unfair to the audience. “Even as a sales team, CNN is very particular that we remain accurate and serve only the accurate information to our viewers,” he said.
But in the charged and manipulative environment of today, where so many advertisers and agencies are reconsidering their presence on several news channels, how does he ensure that advertiser interest remains intact in CNN?
To this, Dhar has a very simple answer, “For us, the most valued asset is our audience; irrespective of the platform they are on, or the geographic location they come from. Our intent, with our editorial content too, remains to enhance the audience experience and give them a global perspective to the news. So, our clients also get a chance to optimise their content as our partners. That helps them too, in establishing a good connect with the right audience.”
This strategy helped Dhar and CNN sail through the tough times of the pandemic-induced lockdown of the past few months.
“CNN has always been at the forefront of advertiser movement. It comes naturally to us and that remains prevalent in the pandemic too. We have realised with various studies that advertising is very important for brands in this period as well and for certain categories, like biztech, home entertainment, the period ensured good growth. So, we became a preferred choice for them,” he explained.
Dhar is positive that from here on out, advertising trends will only be on the up and up. “There is austerity fatigue among most of the Indian consumers and the clients too. I think, with the festive season, we will see more people spending and I am positive about the coming quarter,” he signed off.
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.
