News Broadcasting
Fremantle US making a fashion based reality show for Oxygen
MUMBAI: US channel Oxygen dedicated to women has commissioned Fremantle Media to make a fashion based reality show The Janice Dickinson Project (Working Title).
The reality series follows Janice Dickinson (Americas Next Top Model) as she makes the transformation from model to mogul by starting her own Hollywood modeling agency. The series is scheduled to debut next year.
The 10-episode series from Krasnow Productions and FremantleMedia North America offers viewers an intimate view into Dickinsons life as she tackles the gruelling work of starting her own business and teaching a new generation of aspiring models the business from the ground up.
Viewers watch as Dickinson juggles motherhood, champions her new models, and tries to run a profitable agency, all while dealing with skepticism from the industry she helped to define. The show goes beyond Dickinsons runway persona to show a woman on the verge of a new phase in her career and determined to redefine American beauty.
Oxygen president programming Debby Beece says, We love Janice because shes the quintessential Oxygen personality. Shes outrageous, in command and bigger than life. She’s a real person with dimension to her character. In this series we see a warm side of her with heart. We also see that shes a true expert in her field. Shes starting a new business with all its challenges, while trying to be a good mom and guide new models through a tough business. Its a balancing act for her and its fascinating to watch her as she goes through it.
Seeking an untraditional and unique look, Dickinson auditions over 500 aspiring models. Drawing on her years of experience in the industry, Dickinson mentors candidates on look, style and composure, even taking their photos personally. Finally, she narrows the search to five models who become the first to be signed by her agency.
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.
