News Broadcasting
Sony BBC Earth premieres ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’ on 20 Jan
MUMBAI: India’s premium infotainment channel Sony BBC Earth is all set to premiere the much-anticipated series on biodiversity across the seven distinct continents – Seven Worlds, One Planet – on 20 January at 9PM. Narrated by the Godfather of Natural History – Sir David Attenborough – and set to a beautiful musical score by Hans Zimmer, the series will take viewers on an incredible 7-part journey revealing how each distinct continent has shaped the extraordinary animal behavior and biodiversity found there.
‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’ will premiere in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and has attracted marquee advertisers including TATA Intra as the Co-presenting sponsor and Suhana and BYJU’S as the co-presenting sponsors. By telling unknown, unseen and unexpected wildlife stories, the series is set to uncover the fundamental truth about what makes each one of our seven worlds unique.
Rated 9.5 on IMDB and from the makers of Planet Earth II, ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’ is shot over 4 years in 38 countries by a crew of over 1500 people worldwide and is the first time BBC Studio has explored all the planet’s continents in a single series. It not only celebrates the diversity of life on each of these continents, but also features the many challenges faced by animals in a modern world dominated by humanity.
Given the spectacular prowess of the content, the premiere was supported by an engaging and extensive on-ground and social media plan. Starting with the global premiere at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, this was the first time that Sony BBC Earth was a part of a one-of-a-kind global launch. Over 400 students from select schools got a chance to be the first few in the world to not only witness the first episode of this much awaited series, but also interact with the talented crew including Sir David Attenborough.
While Royal Opera House screening was on invitation basis, Sony BBC Earth also hosted ‘open to all’ screenings of select episodes at various consumer touchpoints, to create excitement and chatter, leading to the big television premiere. In a category first move, the channel partnered with The Lil Flea, Mumbai – the city’s biggest flea market – and screened two episodes at the festival, creating a cozy, family-viewing experience. Additionally, The Lil Flea housed a thought-provoking art gallery with breath-taking visuals from each continent supported by the unheard stories that explain the diversity behind each continent.
The channel also joined hands with India Habitat Centre in Delhi and SOCIAL in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune to screen South America and Asia episodes for the patrons, before the Indian Television Premiere. SOCIAL event curated a special menu inspired from the seven continents which will be available across 23 outlets in 5 cities. The idea behind the menu is to celebrate the diversity of our world in one meal.
On social media, a robust 4-week promotion plan kickstarts with a LIVE interaction with Fredi Devas – Producer of the first episode: Antarctica, on the day of the episode premiere. Also, there’s something exciting planned for the premiere of each episode on 7 continents. Additionally, SPNI’s digital arm, Sony LIV will support the premiere by promoting it and premiering it on the app, same time as Sony BBC Earth premiere.
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.
