News Broadcasting
The History Channel looks to build a local connect for ‘Ultimate Cars’
MUMBAI: The History Channel (THC) is looking at different ways in which to build a closer brand connect with viewers.
Last month it had announced a slew of initiatives which includes airing a set of interstitials called Timepieces. Now it has done a unique stunt for its show Ultimate Cars.
The show which airs every Wednesday at 10 pm looks at cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Porsche 91, Corvette. It looks at what makes them special, the history as well as their novelty value. The channel has now tied up with car designer Dilip Chhabria.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com on this THC VP marketing Rajesh Sheshadari says, “Dilip Chhabria is an expert on the subject of cars. We therefore chose him as our endorser of the show. On air we have cut promos which air during the course of each episode. He gives his views on a particular car being featured.
“Online we have created a microsite at www.historychannelindia.com/dc.html. Visitors can read his views on the cars. They can also offer their feedback. There is a car of the week feature as well as an episode guide. For the next season next year we are looking to take the relationship to the next level by possibly organising an on-ground event with a motoring association.” The channel has roped in Pepsi, Visa, Nokia, ICICI Prudential, Club HP and Kinetic Blaze as sponsors.
As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com THC has kicked off an online initiative is a campaign called Save Your History. This is a community sharing site that will allow Indians to share and collaborate on important historical happenings in their lives, which could be in the form of photos, precious documents and artifacts.
Right now a trial version of the site is up. The final version will be launched at the end of next month. The channel is also in the process of roping in well known personalities like industrialists to endorse the initiative. Promos featuring them will be cut and will go on air towards the latter half of next month.
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.
