News Broadcasting
US broadcaster ABC strictly dances to BBC’s tune
MUMBAI: BBC’s smash hit Strictly Come Dancing will debut in the US following a new production agreement between BBC Worldwide and ABC. The US version of the show will feature a new title, a new celebrity line-up, a new host and new judges.
In the first deal of its kind for BBC Worldwide, the variety show will be produced in America for ABC, by the in-house BBC Entertainment production team responsible for the hit UK version.
The as yet unnamed six-part, prime time series will feature eight celebrities paired with leading professional dancers to train and then compete in a live television knockout ballroom dancing competition. Casting is currently underway, with talent likely to be confirmed in the next few weeks. The line-up is set to include TV and movie stars, alongside other American celebrities.
BBC Worldwide’s director of format licensing Colin Jarvis said, “Working with ABC in this unique way, gives us a new opportunity to develop a hit BBC property in this extremely important market. The reaction to the show around the world has been phenomenal and proves yet again the strength of the in-house format development team within BBC Entertainment. With this pedigree, the show has all the hallmarks of a huge US hit.”
ABC executive VP alternative programming, specials and late night Andrea Wong said, “I am fully aware that this may sound like the craziest show anyone in the US has every heard of. But in a world where its easier for reality series to imitate than innovate, I just love how fresh this format is. And the show’s global success demonstrates how audiences around the world find it surprising and, undeniably, fun.”
Strictly Come Dancing is proving a success around the globe for BBC Worldwide, with deals for local versions with TV2 in Denmark, TVN in Poland, VTM in Belgium and TVNZ in New Zealand recently confirmed.
These new deals follow versions in Australia and Italy where the format was a knockout, raking in huge audiences. In Australia, Channel 7 attracted 2.1 million viewers, with the second series of Dancing with the Stars premiering to a record-breaking the 37 per cent audience share.
In Italy Ballando con le Stelle (Dancing With the Stars) was such a success, with an audience shares of over 30 per cent. The broadcaster RAI UNO commissioned extra episodes. The Strictly Come Dancing format is expected to generate income of ?20m over five years.
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.
