TIMES NOW, India’s leading English news television channel of 2007, brings to you ‘Budget-O-Nomics – Not Just Numbers’, a special series on Budget 2008. As we near D-Day and anxiety is at its peak, TIMES NOW will present views on the budget that is relevant, unbiased and delivered in a distinctive style, just like the viewers prefer it.

Commenting on the special programming line-up for the Budget, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief, TIMES NOW says, “By introducing a special budget line up, ‘Budget-O-Nomics’ aims at demystifying Budget 2008 for the common man. Our viewers can be assured of the best, most credible and first hand view of the budget especially with Swaminathan Aiyar and Omkar Goswami giving their exhaustive expert analysis on it.”

Beginning 23rd February until 28th February, TIMES NOW will introduce two special pre-budget shows ‘Budget and the Ballot-box’ and ‘Budget and Global Uncertainties’ to give viewers a detailed perspective of what the forthcoming Union budget holds for them and how India is faring on the global scene. The two-special half-hour shows promise to give viewers some exciting Budget action with Arnab Goswami in a serious tête-à-tête with Budget gurus Swaminathan Aiyar and Dr. Omkar Goswami. Viewers can be assured of live-wire discussions on the Budget with insights from a national, political and people’s perspective.

Swaminathan Iyer, Consulting Editor, The Economic Times, is the author of the much acclaimed book Swaminomics and is also considered to deliver the most conclusive verdict on the Union Budget year after year. Dr Omkar Goswami, Chairperson of CERG Advisory, is one of the best known names in macro-economic analysis and a well known TV personality in his own right.

Viewers can also enjoy the entire live footage of the Railway Minister’s speech on the announcement of the Rail Budget on 26th February 08 and the Finance Ministers Speech on the day of the Union Budget on 28th February 08.

TIMES NOW will also run ‘The Global Footprint’ – a global panel discussion that will air live from studios in Singapore, Beijing, London, Tokyo and New York.

On the day of the budget, experts from TIMES NOW and the Economic Times will share their views all-day long encapsulating the thrills and chills ranging from those of head honchos of the corporate world to those of the common masses. The excitement will also flow into the CII headquarters as top brass experts belt out their views as the FM delivers his speech on Budget 2008.

The excitement just doesn’t end there as TIMES NOW continues with the Budget excitement with a special episode of Newshour and 10PM on the Budget Day.

What will this year’s budget bring and what course will India’s financial graph take and how will it change our lives.

Watch as TIMES NOW brings you indepth analysis, predictions and discussions on the day that will etch India’s fortune for the coming financial year.

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About TIMES NOW

TIMES NOW is a 24 hour English news television channel that provides the urbane viewers the complete picture of the news that is relevant, presented in a vivid and insightful manner, which enables them to widen their horizons & stay ahead.

TIMES NOW is brought to you by Times Global Broadcasting, a Bennett, Coleman & Co and Reuters service.

The Times Group is the largest media conglomerate in south Asia, with Leadership in newspaper publishing; magazines; music retailing; FM Radio; Internet; interactive media; mobile services and lifestyle television.

Reuters is a global information company providing indispensable news and financial information to financial professionals, media organizations and consumers around the world. Its news operation of 2300 editorial staff in 196 bureaus serving 129 countries, makes Reuters the world’s largest international multimedia news agency

Reuters and the sphere logo are the trade-marks of the Reuters group of companies

For further information contact:
Genesis Burson Marsteller
Sonia Huria / Valini Dsouza
9892 44 7777 / 9833 464 784
sonia.huria@bm.com / valini.dsouza@bm.com