News Broadcasting
Ownership limits need to be relaxed: FCC
MUMBAI: A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) study has revealed that media consolidation has not reduced the variety of programmes on television and radio but has resulted in more TV commercials and similar slants in news coverage in the US.
The study is part of the 12 studies carried out by the FCC and universities across the US as part of its review of media-ownership rules, results of which were made public yesterday. Contrary to the belief that increased media consolidation would result in less local programming, the study concludes that network-owned TV stations provide 23 per cent more local news and public affairs programming than network affiliates. It also reveals that TV stations which are jointly owned with newspapers received higher ratings, won more awards and produced more programmes, say media reports.
The study, say reports, was undertaken after the federal appeals court ordered the agency to provide a “factual base” for some of its media rules . The study has made the following discoveries.
# The number of media outlets in 10 sample markets has nearly tripled since 1960, while the number of their independent owners jumped 139 per cent.
# TV, the Web, newspapers and radio all serve as sources for news-seeking consumers.
# Although the average number of radio station owners has fallen from 13.5 to 9.9 in six years, the average number of programme formats is unchanged at 10.
# The growing presence of national owners of local radio stations has driven down ad rates.
Other rules under review include bans on a broadcaster from owning TV stations that reach more than 35 per cent of US homes, owning two stations in smaller cities and owning a newspaper and TV station in one market, and curbs on local radio concentration.
FCC Chairman Michael K Powell who argued that ownership limits in an era of 200-channel cable TV and the Internet are no longer viable, said the FCC will relax the limits based on the findings, when it completes its review early next year.
Director of the Center for Digital Democracy, Jeff Chester, however has ripped the studies apart saying,”This is not a serious independent analysis. They did studies that would ratify their own preconception of the marketplace,” he has been quoted as saying.
Another study by Joel Waldfogel, professor of business and public policy at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, reveals that consumers are using the Internet increasingly as a substitute for television news, a finding which can hold the argument that ownership rules are no longer required.
Ironically, these findings contradict findings by a recent Nielsen Media Research survey of 3,000 consumers, who confirm that they mostly used broadcast TV, cable news and daily newspapers to stay informed. The study also reveals that more than 83 per cent rely on TV for national news compared with 21 per cent who use the Internet.
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.
