News Broadcasting
IBN18 Q4 standalone net loss at Rs 110 mn, rev up 25%
MUMBAI: IBN18 Broadcast has reported a standalone net loss of Rs 110 million for the quarter ended 31 March, from a net loss of Rs 220 million it had posted in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.
The standalone results constitute the financials of English and Hindi news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7.
Total income of the company during the quarter under review surged to Rs 690 million, up 25.45 per cent from the earlier year.
Expenses rose to Rs 690 million, as against Rs 620 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal and Rs 640 million in the trailing quarter.
IBN18 managed to be Ebitda positive, as compared to an operating loss of Rs 60 million in the year-ago period. In the trailing quarter, the Ebitda profit was at Rs 80 million.
For the full fiscal ended 31 March, the company’s net loss has come down to Rs 490 million, from Rs 820 million in FY’10.
Total income from news operations increased 16.19 per cent to Rs 2.44 billion, from Rs 2.10 billion a year ago, while expenses also surged to Rs 2.50 billion (from Rs 2.22 billion).
Ebitda loss for the fiscal narrowed to Rs 50 million, from Rs 120 million a year ago.
On a consolidated basis, IBN18’s net loss for the fourth-quarter stood at Rs 130 million, down from Rs 220 in year ago quarter. Total income was at Rs 2.06 billion, while expenditure stood at Rs 1.98 billion for the quarter. Operating profit was at Rs 80 million.
For the full fiscal, the company posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 170 million, significantly lower than a net loss of Rs 1.10 billion in previous fiscal. Total revenue jumped to Rs 8.04 billion, while expenses were at Rs 7.57 billion. Operating profit was at Rs 480 million, as against loss of Rs 290 million.
The consolidated results include financials of Viacom18 and IBN Lokmat. The company consolidated the financials of The Indian Film Company into Viacom18 from the third quarter of the fiscal.
IBN18 shares closed Monday at Rs 88.45 on the BSE, down 0.39 per cent down the previous close.
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.
