MUMBAI: The HBN Group has soft launched its 24-hour Hindi news and entertainment channel CNEB. CNEB, which stands for Complete News and Entertainment Broadcast, has signature statement Lahar to paida hogi (ripples will be created).

The channel is all set to launch commercially in May.

Girish Juneja, who was executive producer of programming in India TV, is the creative and programming head of CNEB.

"Our soft launch is on and CNEB will see commercial launch in May," Juneja told Indiantelevision.com.

"More and more news channels have shifted their focus from hardcore news to a lot more of entertaining content. We have tailored our channel taking this into account, so as to give a 360 degree view of news," said Juneja.

In addition to news, CNEB will also showcase shows on crime, entertainment, travelogues and public interest.

Run from a 16,000-square foot building in Noida, the channel has three fully functional bureaus in Lucknow, Chandigarh and Dehradun. The Mumbai bureau is under construction. For the rest, CNEB will rely on stringer-based network.

"The channel is available through DishTV and will be shortly available on Tata Sky," said Juneja.

Amandeep Singh Sran is the chairman of CNEB Pvt Ltd, a part of HBN Group that runs HBN Homes Colonisers, Viraman Buildcon and Developers, HBN Dairies and Allied Ltd, and HBN Insurance Agencies Ltd.

The group also has plans to launch next year two Punjabi language channels - a music and a news and entertainment channel.