News Broadcasting
Cricket knocks ‘KBC’ down the ratings ladder
MUMBAI: Cricket has done a number on Star Plus’ Kaun Banega Crorepati, which opened with a big bang clocking 5.3 TVR, but saw a significant ratings drop on Wednesday.
In a downward trend, the ratings for the show have slipped by 1.8 per cent to 3.5 (aMap TG C&S4+ in the North West East India market) on its third day of telecast.
Clearly, KBC received a kick on 24 January due to the India Vs West Indies ODI match telecast on Neo Sports and DD1, which garnered a market share of 27.8 per cent on an All-India level.
Could this be a dampener for Star? Star India president advertising sales and distribution Paritosh Josh tells Indiantelevision.com, “I would not be too excited about the ratings generated on the first day, as it would be the outcome of the hype created by the enormous marketing and media coverage.”
Date
Market Share
22
Monday
24.1
23
Tuesday
24.0
24 Wednesday
15.4
aMap’s overnight television ratings system indicates that the market share for the show has dipped from 24 per cent on the first two days to 15.4 per cent on the third.
Although good opening ratings is not a bad thing, what is required is ‘stickiness’ that has to be built and sustained over time, says Joshi.
A point of note is that all genres suffered as a result of the cricket with the hardest hit being the regional satellite channels, which saw viewing plummet 31.9 per cent. GEC channels followed closely at 29.4 per cent while south satellite and cable saw a drop in market share of 20.4 per cent.
As opposed to what KBC set out to target, in terms of a more ‘youth’ based audience to be drawn in with SRK’s charms, ratings suggest that the average age for the viewers is 32 years.
Joshi however is optimistic and says that he would not subscribe to the mentioned ratings, but instead await TAM’s report on Monday 29 January to further comment on the response that KBC has garnered.
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.
