News Broadcasting
ESPN feed back on INCable Net after agreement on declared connectivity
More than three months after the ESPN Star Sports feed to the Hinduja group promoted INCable Net was switched off in Mumbai in a dispute over the declared connectivity that the MSO was willing to accept, the two sides finally thrashed out an agreement in the early hours today at 1:30 am.
An joint press release stated that with the “landmark settlement”, InCable Net and ESPN Software “have resolved all outstanding issues, and entered a new era of cooperation and long-term relationship to the satisfaction of both the parties.” Following the agreement, all outstanding legal cases between the two parties will be withdrawn at the earliest.
The agreement that was reached last night is the outcome of hectic parleys that have been on for the the last few weeks. And the major impetus for the meeting of the minds as it were was, as is to be expected, cricket. India has just embarked on a two-month tour of the Caribbean and the India-West Indies cricket series officially begins 11 April.
As regards the source of the dispute, it was not really the new monthly subscription rate of Rs 24 for the two sports channels that was the core issue but the declared subscriber base that INCable was willing to accede to. The new rates became effective 1 January 2001 and ESPN Software switched off its feed on 5 January.
At the end of last year, 150,000 was the declared subscriber base that ESPN Star Sports had with INCable. Though no one was willing to come on record, industry sources say the new subscriber base that has been agreed to is above 200,000.
Speaking on behalf of INCable, Rajeev Vyas, president, said: The spirit of the agreement encourages cooperation between the service providers and the cable operators, and both parties will work towards enhancing subscriber base at the same time increasing quality of service to consumers.
Sricharan Iyengar, vice-president – affiliate sales ESPN Software India said: A long-term agreement of this nature envisages closer cooperation between the two parties to ensure that all issues are sorted out through discussions and mutual understanding. We believe that such an agreement will immensely benefit the channels, the cable operators and the consumers.
The new contract that has been signed between ESPN Software and InCable is a backdated one that runs for the next two years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2003. There have been clauses included in the new contract that allow for ramping up of declared subscriber base over the next two years. It is not clear at this stage whether the agreement is based on the present subscription rate being maintained for the full duration of the contract or whether there will be an increase in rates at the beginning of next year as has been the case till now. Another question is whether there is any limit on how much the sports broadcaster can hike its rates.
One thing that appears clear from the new terms that have been worked into the contract is that it will be binding on both sides to adhere to it. By the looks of it, the consumer can expect a far more incident free two years than has been the case till now.
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.
