News Broadcasting
Slowdown hurts TV18, Q1 net loss at Rs 242.5 million
MUMBAI: The economic downturn continues to hurt news channels even in the first quarter of the fiscal. TV18 has slumped into net loss of Rs 242.46 million, compared to a profit of Rs 126.60 million a year ago, as revenue has slowed with companies cutting advertising spending in a recession-ridden market.
TV18, which owns and operates business news channels CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, has seen a 24.53 per cent decline in the first-quarter revenue to Rs 568.57 million, as against Rs 753.35 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Operating expenses stood at Rs 471.20 million, as against Rs 469.65 million in the first quarter of FY’08.
Says TV18 MD Raghav Bahl, “While our business news channels have continued to build on their dominant positions in the face of new launches, revenues have yet to recover fully.”
On a consolidated basis, TV18 posted a net loss (profits after tax and before minority interest and ESOP charge out) of Rs 416.35 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2009. This is higher than the year ago loss of Rs 57.65 million.
The consolidated results include financials of Web18, Newswire18 and Infomedia18.
Consolidated revenue for the quarter went up by 15.41 per cent to Rs 1.07 billion, as against Rs 929.92 million in the previous fiscal. Operating expenses surged 41.46 per cent to Rs 1.04 billion (from Rs 732.31 million).
Says Bahl, “We are happy to report an incipient turnaround in the company’s operations, after two extra-ordinarily tough quarters.”
Web18, which houses the web properties of the group including in.com, has reported a net loss of Rs 88.23 million as against a net loss of Rs 81.41 million. Revenue from operations were up marginally at Rs 142.10 million, from Rs 131.58 million in the same period of the previous fiscal.
“Web18 has cut its operating losses sharply, as it moves out of investment phase. In.com, Moneycontrol.com and ibnline.com have strengthened their leadership positions, while other portals are acquiring new audiences,” says Bahl.
Newswire18, on the other hand, has shown a 65.55 per cent rise in revenue at Rs 74.48 million (against Rs 44.99 million). The net loss of the company came down to Rs 14.37 million in the quarter, as compared to Rs 38.04 million.
“Newswire18 revenues have been buoyant, and its operations are close to breaking even,” adds Bahl.
Infomedia18 has posted a revenue of 288.12 million and operating loss of Rs 21.97 million. The net loss (before minority interest) was at Rs 71.30 million.
Says Bahl, “Infomedia18’s operations have been restructured, cutting down operational losses to a fraction of earlier levels. Forbes India has generated a strong launch momentum with paid copies and subscription numbers tracking ahead of business plan. We are satisfied that the operational turnaround is proceeding according to our expectations.”
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.
