CNBC-TV18’s budget programming goes on air

Media release, February 17

New Delhi

The Finance Minister, Mr Chidambaram walked the tightrope between populism and reforms in 2004. With the dream team of reformers - Finance Minister - Mr. Chidambaram, Prime Minister - Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, at the helm of affairs, the question that every Indian citizen is asking is ‘Will the dream team deliver?’ CNBC-TV18’s programming for the Union Budget 2005 will voice the opinions and demands of the Indian population this year.

CNBC-TV18, the acknowledged leader and trendsetter, when it comes to the budget, has introduced a budget line up called ‘Will the dream team deliver?’ The budget programmes on CNBC-TV18 endeavour to highlight the various issues and sectors that the FM is likely to address, while trying to strike the right balance.

CNBC-TV18’s unparalleled budget programming for the Union Budget 2005 will be led by India’s best known business anchors, with analysis by India’s most respected economic experts. Views & reactions from India’s most powerful industry captains, in-depth discussions with India’s best known finance faces and high profile forums with India’s most knowledgeable, will complete CNBC-TV18’s budget programming, giving its viewers an all round perspective of the Union Budget 2005.

As part of the Budget 2005 series, CNBC-TV18 has organised a set of pre-budget roundtables in the major metros of India, where industry leaders and experts convene to discuss expectations and issues that this year’s budget must address. This is a platform that brings forth important issues and possible solutions to the budget makers of the day.

These pre-budget roundtables will attempt to answer the inevitable question on whether the ‘Dream Team’ will jumpstart the Indian economy through radical reforms or settle for a more cautious and balanced approach.

Brief stories on the impact of the budget in all walks of life will also be an important part of the budget programming through:

Home Affairs - Family aspirations from the Budget

Small Stuff - SME aspirations from the Budget

Worker Speak - Labour's aspirations from the Budget

Industry Wish-lists - individual industry demands from the budget

Sector specific on-ground Budget Vectors, Roundtables and Polls (both Common man and CEO polls) with special focus on sunrise sectors like Biotechnology, Cement, Healthcare; Textiles will translate into programmes, which will be telecast during the month. To complement this the Budget Factoids, Budget Q&A, Budget Bulletins and Budget Caravan will also be aired on CNBC-TV18.Budget Caravan a special for this year’s budget, will be telecast live.

The Railway Budget will be covered in live with exhaustive analysis of the implications with final predictions from experts on what lies ahead.

India’s first consumer channel from CNBC-TV18, Awaaz will not only cover Budget 2005 but also translate the consumer’s voice, their dreams and their opinions in simple, jargon – free Hindi. Awaaz is the only channel that looks at Budget 2005 from the consumer’s point of view. Some special consumer-oriented programmes that Awaaz will air especially during the budget season are:

Meri Awaaz Suno: The common man’s expectations from Budget 2005

Budget Chaupal : Expectations of the unorganised interest groups and communities

Har Ghar Ki Kahani: Showcasing money management skills of families from different income groups and witnessing the impact of Budget 2005 on their financial planning

CEO Panchayat: Budget 2005 from the eyes of India’s prominent businessmen

Laloo Express: Pre-Budget expectations on the Railway Budget and indepth discussions on Budget day about the impact of the Railway

CNBC-TV18 has slotted the programming related to the Budget at 10 pm with repeat telecasts on weekends. The channel has also roped in Karan Thapar to anchor two special Budget episodes every week.

B Saikumar added, “ The theme of the budget programming “Will the dream team deliver?” feels the pulse and the anticipation of millions of Indians who are looking forward for a more consumer friendly budget. There is no mistaking the great expectations for the future brought on by a mood that has never been this buoyant in recent years. CNBC-TV18 through its comprehensive budget programming reiterates its commitment to providing its viewers a holistic perspective of national decisions that affect every aspect of their lives.”

For further information contact

Sulakshana/ Priyadarshani

Tel: 29214793

Mobile: 9810122728/ 9811030502

Email: Sulakshana@hanmerpr.com/ Priyadarshani@hanmerpr.com