News Broadcasting
Sony Pix’s ‘Pixathon’ will showcase various celebrated movies of popular franchises back to back
Mumbai, July 24: Sony PIX has come up with yet another original and innovative property for its viewers. ‘PIXATHON’ will showcase various celebrated movies of popular franchises back to back which will have the audience glued to their seats. Watch your favourite movie series such as Rocky, Shrek, Iron Man, Spiderman, Mission Impossible and all of Bond series back to back only on Sony PIX. The channel is also carrying out innovative campaigns to promote the premiere of their blockbuster movies.
To start with, the viewers got a chance to meet the ‘Green Hero’. The organic eating and eco-friendly hero Shrek launched the ‘Go Green’ project to promote the premiere of the movie. The viewers took part in the first ever Shrek PIXATHON and watched all 4 Shreks back to back on July 21.
For the first time in India the viewer’s also got the chance to watch the sexy, hot and stylish Robert Downey as Iron Man 1 and 2 back to back only on Sony PIX. Tony Stark’s stylish and charismatic mean machine livened up the small screen on July 13.
In future, the fans will also get the opportunity to be part of the Rocky legacy as they participate in ‘Discover the Rocky in You’ campaign. The motivational, inspiring and emotional story of the boxing icon will come alive on Sony PIX on August 4 as it premieres Rocky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. Also, swinging its way to the small screen is the Spiderman PIXATHON. The fans can catch all four parts of the web slinging superhero back to back on August 15. It doesn’t stop here…very soon; viewers will also get a chance to watch all of Mission Impossible and Bond series.
To break the clutter around channel association the property has been termed PIXATHON.
Saurabh Yagnik, EVP & Business Head, Sony PIX added, “This year we have enthralled our audiences with the two biggest premieres on television, Men in Black 3 and The Amazing Spiderman – the highest rated premieres of 2013. We have significantly stepped up our investments in acquiring high quality content and popular franchises. We also constantly strive to interact and engage with our viewers, by not just offering exceptional titles but also presenting them a completely memorable viewing experience. PIXATHON is one such initiative by us that will bring us another step closer to our audience.”
So with titles like Shrek, Rocky, Spiderman, Mission Impossible and the entire Bond series to showcase in their library, Sony PIX is sure to pose a stiff competition to the other English movie channels.
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.
