Mumbai: CNBC-TV18 will offer a comprehensive lineup of dedicated programming on the budget day led by its editorial team and a stellar panel of global and Indian voices from markets, policy and India Inc. CNBC-TV18 has launched a special line-up of initiatives analyzing the challenges and opportunities facing the Finance Minister this year and will also air views and expectations of stakeholders across the country.

On the morning of March 16, 2012, CNBC-TV18 shall initiate Budget day with an exclusive Budget Breakfast at 7 am. Following that, CNBC-TV18 Managing Editor, Udayan Mukherjee will present Budget Day: Morning Call, at 8 am. Post the show, CNBC-TV18 will telecast LIVE and uninterrupted coverage of the FM?s Budget Speech from 11 am-12:30 pm. During the speech, CNBC-TV18 will focus on the minute details and impact of budgetary proposals, as they are presented in the parliament, through razor sharp on-air graphics. This will be done by a battery of experts who will be analyzing the measures announced and its ramifications on the Indian economy. The channel will present exclusive and comprehensive LIVE budget coverage through the day from multiple locations. It will showcase reactions from corporate India, government voices, market experts and leading thinkers in The Market Verdict & The Corporate Verdict. This will be followed by the Final Trade, the definitive markets ending show on Budget 2012?s impact. In primetime evening, CNBC-TV18 will present a budget special of its primetime show, India Business Hour ? Budget Special, which will round up the day?s coverage and provide a comprehensive review of the national reaction to Budget 2012.

Speaking on the Budget Programming special, Mr. Anil Uniyal, CEO, CNBC-TV18 said, ?Considering the context that this budget has for the govt. and our nation, it is all the more crucial as it can impact the near future of the Indian economy. Therefore the channels approached Budget 2012 with a theme that epitomized the expectant atmosphere prevalent and looked to answer the big question, ?Will Budget 2012 lead to bounceback or breakdown?? As in earlier years, on Budget day, CNBC-TV18 will present exclusive and comprehensive budget coverage through the day and from multiple locations, showcasing reactions from the leading names in India Inc. and policy making, the nation?s biggest market experts and fund managers, tax specialists and views of India?s flagship industry bodies. Thus, ensuring we can give the most comprehensive views and analysis to the various stakeholders be it the CEOs, the SMEs, the professionals or the common man.?

On March 17th, day after the budget, CNBC-TV18 will host an exclusive star-studded ground event called The Verdict, which will present the definitive and decisive analysis of Budget 2012 from the corporate and personal finance perspective. Led by CNBC-TV18?s Senthil Chengalvarayan, The Verdict will include leading names from markets, policy and corporate India.

CNBC-TV18 will also engage viewers through a variety of new media platforms, delivering its power packed Budget day content. On the online front, this will include LIVE STREAMING on the Budget day programming on Moneycontrol.com as well as You Tube, an exclusive alliance with the global online major (www.youtube.com/cnbctv18), special budget initiatives on LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com including polls and contests.

On mobile, CNBC-TV18 will be delivering a host of power packed content on the mobile through the 51818 platform, focusing strongly on adding value to the viewer experience and building interactivity on the day of India?s most important economic event. From BUDGET NEWS ALERTS (SMS ALERT TO 51818) to PROGRAMMING UPDATES (SMS BUD to 51818), from MARKET REACTIONS to LIVE TV (SMS MOM to 51818), the channels will provide the best on budget day, to investors and consumers, on the move.

In the past month, CNBC-TV18 has initiated a comprehensive programming plan for Budget 2011. These initiatives included editorial shows, ground events, on-air segments and vignettes and other special initiatives. From capturing the expectations of the markets and investors to India Inc.?s voices, from the voices of young India to the average tax payer, the channels focused on multiple perspectives within the larger theme of ?Will Budget 2011 make the Impact India Needs?. This programming plan was supported through a multiplatform marketing campaign, ranging from television to outdoor, radio, print, social media, mobile and direct marketing targeting both viewers as well as the marketing trade community.

Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, India?s no. 1 English business news channel has yet again hosted the 7th edition of ?India Business Leader Awards 2012? (IBLA)-Asia?s most distinguished awards for Excellence in Leadership, presented by Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd. The awards witnessed some of the brightest stars from India Inc. take centre stage in a glittering ceremony, which was presided over by the Honorable Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee at The Lalit, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The India Business Leader Awards are a continuation of the tradition set by CNBC?s Asia Business Leader Awards.

?India Business Leader Awards 2012? has been established to honor the individuals and organizations that have created new benchmarks for corporate excellence and have taken Indian Business to a new echelon of fame.

The winners of IBLA were selected through an extensive multi stage selection process, perfected over the years with an experience in over 12 countries. In the final stage, an eminent jury selected the leaders in different award categories. This year the Jury was chaired by Mr. Mukesh Ambani. Mr. KM Birla, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Ms. Chanda Kochhar and Mr. Deepak Parekh joined Mr. Ambani to draw up a stellar list of winners.

The awards witnessed luminaries from the Business fraternity like Ms. Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director, ICICI Bank; Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group; Mr. Deepak Parekh, Non-Executive Chairman, HDFC; Mr. B. Muthuraman, Vice Chairman, Tata Steel; Mayank Pareek, Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki; Renu karnad, Additional Director, HDFC; Ajai Chowdhry, Founder & Chairman - HCL Infosystems; Kris Gopalkrishnan, Co-Founder & Executive Co-Chairman, Infosys amongst others.

Speaking at the occasion, Honorable Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said; ?I would like to congratulate CNBC TV 18 on an excellent programme, India Business Leader Awards 2012, a platform that recognizes the individuals and organization who have created new benchmarks for corporate excellence and have taken Indian Business to a new echelon of fame.?

Further adding to this, he stated that; ?The Indian economy cannot be fully insulated from global threats as the world economy particularly the Eurozone remains fragile; the growth rate could fall below seven per cent in the current financial year from 8.5 per cent a year ago. There are some clear signals of inflation moderating in the coming months. I am expecting (inflation) to be in the range of 6-7 per cent by end March, Our growth for 2011-12 may be around seven per cent. Despite the challengesbefore us, I am confident that we will improve our short term growth prospects in the coming months. The Indian currency has depreciated by over 16 per cent against US dollar in the current financial year.

In the year of extreme difficulty, success can only be achieved by hard work.?

Speaking about the awards, Mr. Udayan Mukherjee, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18 said, ?IBLA was initiated 7 years ago to honor India?s most outstanding business leaders for their contribution to India Inc. Its success can be dictated by the fact that it has become a benchmark in achievement. This year we have continued this initiative to salute those captains of industry who have braved the turbulent international conditions and kept India?s flag flying high.?

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Babulal Varma, Managing Director, Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd said, ?We salute the genius and valor of the Indian business fraternity and are proud to be associated with CNBC?s Indian Business Leader Awards, which commend and appreciate such pioneers.?

MUMBAI: As earnings season kicks off, investors and analysts are watching India Inc?s performance with a keen eye. While most analysts have muted expectations from this quarter?s results, in light of the recent volatility and pain in the markets, there?s hope for some positive surprises that?ll help build momentum further. The year has been a tough one so far. Domestically, the economy has experienced slowdown pressures, accentuated by the high interest rate regime following inflation pressures and concerns about governance and policy paralysis. Added to this has been the overhang of global uncertainty, especially the European crisis which has threatened to develop into a contagion. In such a difficult operating environment, India Inc?s results are being seen as a strong indicator of the future of the markets and the economy in the near and medium term.

As in every earnings season, CNBC-TV18, India?s No.1 business medium, will be present ?BOARDROOM?, month long special programming focused on analyzing and delivering earnings insights to the country?s investing community. Through the earnings season, Udayan Mukherjee, Managing Editor,CNBC-TV18 and the CNBC-TV18 markets team will be in conversation with managements of some of India?s largest and most important companies and the country?s finest investing minds including analysts, sector experts and traders to decode the impact of the results as well as the best approaches to navigate the markets going forward.

Speaking on the earnings season, Saket Saurabh, Head-Marketing, CNBC-TV18 said, ?The overall investing environment in India & globally has been challenging. At home, concerns over rising interest rates, reduced consumer confidence, governance deficit and the depreciating rupee have led to a somber atmosphere. These concerns along with the uncertain global scenario makes the Q2 numbers even more critical as analysts and investors will be looking closely at the overall impact of corporate earnings. Over the years, BOARDROOM has become a trusted benchmark in earnings coverage for the country?s investors and we look forward to delivering the same value to them this time as well.?