News Broadcasting
India Today Group sees revenue fall amid challenging market conditions
Mumbai: When a titan stumbles, the tremors are felt far beyond its own walls. Investor confidence wavers, markets shift uneasily, and a once-unshakeable reputation finds itself on thin ice. Such is the case for the India Today Group, which, in a jarring Q2 FY25 performance, posted steep declines in both revenue and profits. This downturn isn’t just a dip in the numbers; it’s a stark reminder that even the most formidable institutions can struggle against economic forces and the relentless pressure of an ever-changing media landscape. Despite efforts to trim costs and adapt, India Today’s latest results signal not progress, but troubling stagnation.
For the quarter ending September 2024, the Group’s revenue plummeted to Rs 206.77 crores from Rs 311.79 crores in the preceding quarter, marking a sharp 33.7 per cent drop. This contraction becomes more severe when juxtaposed with the Rs 213.86 crores reported in the same quarter last year. Despite moderate operational adjustments, production costs grew by over 3 per cent, reaching Rs 24.35 crores compared to Rs 23.62 crores a year ago. Employee expenses also remained stubbornly high at Rs 81.41 crores, reflecting a challenging balance between workforce retention and profitability.
Net profit for the quarter dwindled to Rs 8.35 crores, representing a staggering decline from Rs 51.43 crores reported in Q1 FY25. This downward spiral in profitability is exacerbated by a combination of rising costs and a limited revenue base, suggesting that the current strategic approach may lack the flexibility needed to weather industry-wide upheaval. Even more concerning is the dwindling cash flow, with net cash inflows from operations at a mere Rs 88.78 crores, down significantly from previous levels, limiting future investments and expansion.
Television and media operations, traditionally a strong revenue stream, reported Rs 202.85 crores, down from Rs 309.22 crores in the previous quarter, reinforcing an overall industry-wide struggle to maintain viewership and advertiser interest. Radio broadcasting, a secondary but growing segment, failed to offset this decline, posting a minor increase to Rs 3.92 crores in Q2 FY25, underscoring limited diversification.
While India Today Group continues to hold a respected position within the media industry, these financial indicators highlight urgent structural and strategic reevaluation. Moving forward, the Group must navigate the intricate dance of cost control and technological investments, all while addressing audience shifts in an age of digital-first content.
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.
