News Broadcasting
NDTV IPO oversusbcribed 3 times
NEW DELHI: The Prannoy Roy-controlled NDTV, one of the finest TV production houses and a broadcasting house in the country, today started its journey towards being a public company. On the first day, its initial public offer was oversusbcribed 3.31 times or 331 per cent.
According to information available from the capital market, over 90 per cent of the bids received today were nearing the upper price band.
Shares of the company are getting listed on the Mumbai and National Stock Exchanges in a price band of Rs 63-70 per share of Rs 4 each.
The bidding process for the IPO through the book-building process started today and would end on 28 April. The IPO had been oversubscribed 1.36 times by 10.26 a.m., according to the National Stock Exchange.
NDTV is seeking to raise Rs. 1,090 million through the IPO, which comprises fresh issue as well as an offer for sale. The company, which is reserving Rs 90 million worth of shares for employees, is offering slightly over 25 per cent of the company’s shareholding to the public.
At a recent press conference here in Delhi, NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy said that in a venture like this technology, infrastructure, etc are important,but not as important as the human resources of the company.
“People matter more and the rest come after that only,” he had explained. According to the prospectus, the net proceeds raised from the issue would be deployed towards “working capital requirements, repayment of loans and for general corporate purposes.” Net proceeds from the sale of existing shares (5.9 million shares) will be paid to the selling shareholders.
NDTV’s net worth as of 31 March 2003 and nine months period ended 31 December 2003 was approximately Rs 1.199 billion and Rs 1.285 billion, respectively.
For the nine months period ended 31 December 2003, the company posted a net loss of Rs 473.77 million. The book value per share of Rs 4 each, as of 31 March 2003 and nine months period ended 31 December 2003 was approximately Rs 28.52 and Rs 27.16, respectively.
Roy explained that investors should evaluate the channel’s initial public offer on future growth potential like increasing viewership, better utilisation of advertising time, costless foreign growth and future opportunities in outsourcing technology (all of which he’s confident of).
“We have historically made profits all through and made good dividends. Investors should consider this while taking a decision,” he had said.
The channel has opted for the book-building route for this issue, after which promoters will continue to hold a majority 53 per cent stake. Asked whether the company was planning to launch a business news channel, Roy did not rule it out, saying all the options are open.
However, Roy did indicate that the two NDTV channels are fast catching up with competition in all segments. Taking a dig at former ally Star, Roy had said during the roadshows that Star did not start an English news channel because it would have had to take on NDTV 24×7, which, according to him, is No. 2 news channel in the country, slightly behind market leader Aaj Tak.
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.
