News Broadcasting
In China, Star takes to the wireless
MUMBAI: We really believe in this market and to help expand the pie, all players should work together. A point made by Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie in an address at the recently concluded Ficci Frames 2004.
Well, a clear route in that pie expansion exercise is via wireless. Though leveraging wireless is still to wing its way into Star India’s operations in any significant way, expect some major initiatives on that score from India’s lead broadcaster sooner rather than later.
According to Star Group senior V-P Mani Rao, Rupert Murdoch’s Asian broadcast arm has identified four clear revenue stream going forward – subscription, advertising, syndication and wireless.
In China in particular, utilising wireless has proved a strong incremental revenue stream as well as helped build stronger links to Star’s community of viewers, says Rao. The high cell phone penetration in China has been a big factor in its quick take-off no doubt.
Star Group V-P corporate affairs and publicity Jannie Poon outlined to indiantelevision.com how well wireless has worked for Star in China. It has been less than a year (June 2003) since launch, and what Star China is doing is to leverage the exclusive and popular content on its Mandarin language channels – general entertainment Xing Kong and Channel [V].
The wireless services are of two kinds – subscription and non-subscription based. And the numbers are impressive.
For the subscription based service, Star charges about $1 per month per subscriber. Currently there are about 200,000 monthly subscription-based members.
An example of how it works is the popular dating cum reality show Love Factory. Subscribers to Love Factory wireless services get love horoscopes, dating tips and dating games, among other things as download options. They also get to be part of Love Factory clubs in which members are hooked up through wireless.
An example of non-subscription based services was the Channel [V] Chinese Music Awards, wherein Star received more than 2 million SMS for voting of best songs, best female singer, etc of the year, says Poon.
The potential of wireless is huge, says Rao. How it rolls out on Star in India will of course be closely watched.
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.
