News Broadcasting
TV18 reports loss from news biz for 2nd successive quarter
MUMBAI: TV18 Broadcast Ltd’s news business reported net loss for the second straight quarter in the year ended 30 September on a sharp rise in interest cost.
The Network18 subsidiary’s net loss from news business was Rs 252 million in the second quarter and Rs 78 million in the first quarter of this year. In the second quarter of previous year, TV18 had a net profit of Rs 78 million and in the whole of 2011-12, its net profit was Rs 92 million.
Its interest cost more than doubled to Rs 365 million in the second quarter from Rs 178 million a year earlier.
The news segment’s operating revenue and operating expenses were both down by 14 per cent in the second quarter compared with a year earlier. Its operating revenue was down to Rs 1.09 billion from Rs 1.27 billion a year earlier, while operating expenses fell to Rs 952 million from Rs 1.10 billion a year earlier.
TV18 standalone’s operating profit fell 13.50 per cent to Rs 147 million in the second quarter from Rs 170 million a year earlier.
Revenues from business news as well as general news businesses were down in the second quarter. Revenues from business news were down 16 per cent to Rs 519 million in the second quarter from Rs 619 million a year earlier and from general news down 11.71 per cent to Rs 603 million from Rs 683 million a year earlier.
TV18 business news’ operating profit in the second quarter was flat at Rs 169 million against Rs 163 million a year earlier. Its general news division’s operating loss widened in the second quarter to Rs 33 million from Rs 7 million a year earlier. In the first quarter of this year, general news segment had reported an operating profit of Rs 22 million.
TV18 Broadcast results include financials of news channels CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN IBN and IBN7.
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.
