MUMBAI: The consumer channel Awaaz has lined up its budget-programming, that questions the relevance of the budget for the Indian consumer. Awaaz will make a trip criss-crossing the country and voicing the opinions of Indian consumers on their expectations of Budget 2006. The channel has lined up a series of special programmes from 10 February.
Awaaz Budget will specifically focus on innovative programme concepts which have been translated into programmes segregated into three categories: Budget Yatra, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani and Budget Panchayat.
Budget Yatra: The Awaaz team will travel across the country from 15 to 25 February, stopping at metros, mini metros, small towns, etc. to hold special one-on-ones and small group discussions with the local community in the country. The expectations of individuals and the nation will be voiced on the channel in the form of three to four minute segments which will be aired in key Bulletins like Aaj ka Karobaar and Awaaz Samachar.
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani: The team will visit Indian families from 12 different cities to analyze their expectations and understand how the budget is likely to affect them. Post the budget verdict, the Awaaz team will revisit these families to gauge their reactions to the verdict. Starting 10 February, this 2-3 minute special will air one story everyday running across the channel during the entire budget predicament.
Budget Panchayat: Budget Panchayat will be a series of four specials, which will feature experts, analysts and industry leaders who will provide both macro as well as the micro view of what to expect from the budget and the implications of the budget on various aspects of every Indians life, like tax, personal finance, stocks and shares and macro economic issues.
Post the declaration of the budget, six focused one hour on-air Panchayats will discuss the policy implications of the budget and the way forward while focusing on the share market, personal finance, tax, sasta mehenga (housewives), traders and overall budget and the impact of macro economic issues on consumers.
Awaaz will also present Extreme Budget – a spoof on the budget desires and wishes of the corporate bigwigs from 16 February played eight times a day in three different versions. Shot in a typical newsroom environment, Extreme Budget will provide viewers a hilarious outlook on budget expectations.
Special segments on Awaaz Samachar will air the budget expectations of the common man (Common Man Poll) and India Inc (CEO Poll) conducted by Synovate.
Other pre-budget specials lined up on Awaaz are: Mera Budget, a 30 second segment playing throughout the day on Awaaz, will speak to personalities like Rahul Bajaj, Priyanka Chopra as well as the common man on the street, revealing their expectations of the budget.
Economic Survey, a 30 minute show on the eve of the Budget will analyze each sector extensively and present a list of expectations and recommendations for each sector with a special focus on the wish list of the consumer from these sectors.
Factoids on The Budget, a 30 second graphic segment will play throughout the day, gauging the expectations from the budget in 2006.
The SME Focus – Awaaz will also run two pre-budget half hour discussions on the SME expectations and concerns and their ability to create a significant impact on the economic development of the country. The Railway Budget will be a 30 minute Panchayat during prime time on the railway budget, the policy implications and the reactions of the various related parties.
Budget Day Programming
On budget day, Awaaz will air live coverage of the finance minister’s speech simultaneously translated to Hindi. An analysis with details on the implications and Impact on various constituencies throughout the day will also feature through –
• Regular news bulletins
• Awaaz Samachar
• Segments with consumer and CEOs
• Discussions with political leaders
• Tax impact analysis with tax experts
• Consumer speak
Post Budget Programming: Post the Budget, Talking Tax – two Half hour shows on 1 March will decipher what the budget means for the consumer, featuring tax experts who will discuss the implications of the direct and indirect tax recommendations of Budget 2006 in a simple and easy to understand language.
