Category: Budget 2017

News18 live budget to feature Shankkar Aiyar & Gurcharan Das

MUMBAI: Departing from the regular tradition of presenting the budget on the last working day of February, the Finance Minister will present the Union Budget on the first day of February for the first time.

To decode Budget 2017, CNN-News18 and News18 India will bring rolling coverage of the Union Budget on 1 February. CNN-News 18 will air a programming titled #BudgetAfterDeMo from 10 am whereas Note Se Vote Tak- Budget 2017 on News18 India will broadcast from 9 am.

The budget day telecast on both the channels will be a conclusion of a series of pre-budget shows through which the channels have been capturing the expectations and suggestions of different sections of the society.

This budget has assumed great significance given that it is expected to address the fall out of and concerns around the demonetisation drive executed by the Modi government.

Some of the country’s foremost economists/experts/analysts such as Swapan Dasgupta, Ajoy Bose, Vir Sanghvi, Shankkar Aiyar, Gurcharan Das, Ila Patnaik and Sanjaya Baru along with the country’s top anchors and reporters as they try to understand key announcements included in the Union Budget and their impact on the economy as a whole and on the common men and women of the country.

January 31, 2017
News18 live budget to feature Shankkar Aiyar & Gurcharan Das

MUMBAI: Departing from the regular tradition of presenting the budget on the last working day of February, the Finance Minister will present the Union Budget on the first day of February for the first time.

To decode Budget 2017, CNN-News18 and News18 India will bring rolling coverage of the Union Budget on 1 February. CNN-News 18 will air a programming titled #BudgetAfterDeMo from 10 am whereas Note Se Vote Tak- Budget 2017 on News18 India will broadcast from 9 am.

The budget day telecast on both the channels will be a conclusion of a series of pre-budget shows through which the channels have been capturing the expectations and suggestions of different sections of the society.

This budget has assumed great significance given that it is expected to address the fall out of and concerns around the demonetisation drive executed by the Modi government.

Some of the country’s foremost economists/experts/analysts such as Swapan Dasgupta, Ajoy Bose, Vir Sanghvi, Shankkar Aiyar, Gurcharan Das, Ila Patnaik and Sanjaya Baru along with the country’s top anchors and reporters as they try to understand key announcements included in the Union Budget and their impact on the economy as a whole and on the common men and women of the country.

January 31, 2017
Budget ’17: Real-Time Twitter updates in tie-up with SBI & CNBC

MUMBAI: Twitter, SBI and CNBC-TV18 have joined forces for the first Twitter Amplify deal in the news category to bring real-time updates of the Union Budget 2017. The public sector bank will sponsor content updates from CNBC-TV18 on Twitter.

The sponsorship package will allow both CNBC-TV18 and SBI to extend their brand presence to the targeted audience in India with exclusive content pertaining to the budget.

A first of its kind Twitter Amplify deal in the news category in Asia Pacific, the partnership aims at providing crucial Budget 2017 updates to Indians around the world in three phases: Pre-Budget Day, people will be able to watch videos on Twitter regarding budget expectations and speculations prior to the D-day, shared on the channel’s Twitter account @CNBCTV18News.

On the Budget Day, the budget speech will be live-streamed on Twitter via Periscope Producer and updates from the live budget speech will be tweeted out in the form of short clips. First reactions from industry stalwarts, experts & people as well as key highlights will also be tweeted on the day of the Budget.

Post the Budget announcement, people will also get an in-depth understanding of the Budget and its impact on various sectors as well as tax implications for consumers through specially produced industry reaction videos on Twitter.

Twitter Amplify enables publishers to monetise video content while making it easy for advertisers to reach massive engaged audiences and sponsor exclusive content. Twitter plays a key role in facilitating both content creators and brands to capture the excitement on TV and distribute it to fans and audience across the platform, far beyond their existing followers.

“The partnership helps surface the best of the Budget 2017 content on Twitter, making it easier for anyone interested in India to discover the latest news and share their thoughts on the platform as it breaks in real time,” said Twitter India Head of TV and Entertainment Partnerships Viral Jani.

Most of the consumers like to consume content on television and Twitter simultaneously to discuss television in the social space and share their reactions to key moments on Twitter. Twitter Amplify will help CNBC-TV18 make the most of the changing dynamic between audience and programming while making premium video content from Budget 2017 available to users. Twitter users will receive spectacular and timely updates that round out their TV experience and remind them to tune in to key budget discussion.

Network 18 MD, president – strategy, product & alliance Avinash Kaul said, “Content consumption in India is undergoing a radical shift beyond traditional media formats and we are now entering an era where all screens seems to work seamlessly regardless of its size. As a news broadcaster, we realise now is an opportunity for us to create, distribute and innovate with new content formats to tap this digital-first audience. As a leader of the genre, CNBC-TV18 has always been ahead of the curve and this partnership with SBI and Twitter is a testament to many such ‘first’ initiatives that we have taken towards embracing this transformation.”

Twitter Amplify will help SBI extend their reach on social media by tapping into the social conversation on Twitter. It will provide a multi-platform strategy essential for satisfying the users’ needs to consume content on mobile, making it a highly preferred medium.

SBI DMD & CIO Mrutyunjay Mahapatra said, “As a banker to Digital India, SBI is known for being technology forward, customer oriented and transparent. Through the partnership with Twitter and CNBC-TV18, we hope to connect with the citizens of India on the most important business and financial issues impacting India in real-time on Budget Day. We believe this will kick start a meaningful dialogue with the BFSI community and contribute towards fulfilling the mission of Digital India.”

January 30, 2017
Budget ’17: Real-Time Twitter updates in tie-up with SBI & CNBC

MUMBAI: Twitter, SBI and CNBC-TV18 have joined forces for the first Twitter Amplify deal in the news category to bring real-time updates of the Union Budget 2017. The public sector bank will sponsor content updates from CNBC-TV18 on Twitter.

The sponsorship package will allow both CNBC-TV18 and SBI to extend their brand presence to the targeted audience in India with exclusive content pertaining to the budget.

A first of its kind Twitter Amplify deal in the news category in Asia Pacific, the partnership aims at providing crucial Budget 2017 updates to Indians around the world in three phases: Pre-Budget Day, people will be able to watch videos on Twitter regarding budget expectations and speculations prior to the D-day, shared on the channel’s Twitter account @CNBCTV18News.

On the Budget Day, the budget speech will be live-streamed on Twitter via Periscope Producer and updates from the live budget speech will be tweeted out in the form of short clips. First reactions from industry stalwarts, experts & people as well as key highlights will also be tweeted on the day of the Budget.

Post the Budget announcement, people will also get an in-depth understanding of the Budget and its impact on various sectors as well as tax implications for consumers through specially produced industry reaction videos on Twitter.

Twitter Amplify enables publishers to monetise video content while making it easy for advertisers to reach massive engaged audiences and sponsor exclusive content. Twitter plays a key role in facilitating both content creators and brands to capture the excitement on TV and distribute it to fans and audience across the platform, far beyond their existing followers.

“The partnership helps surface the best of the Budget 2017 content on Twitter, making it easier for anyone interested in India to discover the latest news and share their thoughts on the platform as it breaks in real time,” said Twitter India Head of TV and Entertainment Partnerships Viral Jani.

Most of the consumers like to consume content on television and Twitter simultaneously to discuss television in the social space and share their reactions to key moments on Twitter. Twitter Amplify will help CNBC-TV18 make the most of the changing dynamic between audience and programming while making premium video content from Budget 2017 available to users. Twitter users will receive spectacular and timely updates that round out their TV experience and remind them to tune in to key budget discussion.

Network 18 MD, president – strategy, product & alliance Avinash Kaul said, “Content consumption in India is undergoing a radical shift beyond traditional media formats and we are now entering an era where all screens seems to work seamlessly regardless of its size. As a news broadcaster, we realise now is an opportunity for us to create, distribute and innovate with new content formats to tap this digital-first audience. As a leader of the genre, CNBC-TV18 has always been ahead of the curve and this partnership with SBI and Twitter is a testament to many such ‘first’ initiatives that we have taken towards embracing this transformation.”

Twitter Amplify will help SBI extend their reach on social media by tapping into the social conversation on Twitter. It will provide a multi-platform strategy essential for satisfying the users’ needs to consume content on mobile, making it a highly preferred medium.

SBI DMD & CIO Mrutyunjay Mahapatra said, “As a banker to Digital India, SBI is known for being technology forward, customer oriented and transparent. Through the partnership with Twitter and CNBC-TV18, we hope to connect with the citizens of India on the most important business and financial issues impacting India in real-time on Budget Day. We believe this will kick start a meaningful dialogue with the BFSI community and contribute towards fulfilling the mission of Digital India.”

January 30, 2017
Guest Column: Budget ’17 needs to incentivise digital adoption, stir rural economy

This year’s Union Budget, called unique, has been the talk of the town. First, it’s going to be scheduled on 1 February 2017instead of the usual presentation on 28 February. Second, it’s the first time that the Railway Budget is going to be merged with the Union Budget.

However, I would like to consider it unique for other reasons as well. We are aware of the fact that this exercise has come against the backdrop of demonetisation. Due to this, demand has dropped and the GDP of the country has been affected gravely. While experts have already envisioned a poor growth rate, I would like to consider a worst possible situation of seven per cent plus rate as still healthy. What affects us the most in marketing, branding and advertising sectors of the media industry is consumer business segment.

The consumer business sector has seen a lot of volatility of late due to impending rollout of GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation. The retail and FMCG segments have been directly affected. This means stringent marketing budgets, which has slowed brand development exercises.

Hence, I would like to term the budget “unique” if my budget expectations are met. What are my expectations? The following:

1. Shaking up rural economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking about this for a long period of time. The finance minister had given hints to incentivise foreign companies to come here and market Indian agricultural produce. I am eagerly looking forward to this as this would mean sizable investment in this sector and more start-ups getting into it promoting healthy business and growth rates.

2. Promote digital payments

Now that the government has shown us the dream of a cashless economy, I am expecting clear incentives for financial technology companies and cashless transacting businesses. Some bit of it has already started, but some better provisions will ensure more innovation in the sector, thus leading to consumer ease.

3. Government investment in health and education

We have seen the government going strong on the Swachha Bharat (Clean India) campaign and many brands associating themselves to a larger social cause. I am expecting a similar impetus in the health and education sectors.

4. Clarity on GST game plan

A clearer roll out timeline for the GST is the need of the hour to end the uncertainty looming large everywhere. I am expecting a clearer picture after the budget is announced.

5. Tax relaxation

After the demonetisation drive, the government seems to have successfully collected a significant amount of money. The individual salaried person is definitely expecting a relaxation of tax slabs and rates. I am hoping that the fiscal deficit will be lower and, hence, the base line tax rate coming down, which can essentially widen the base and make the environment more conducive for business.

(Saswata Das is partner & executive director WOW Design. The views expressed here are personal, and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them)

January 30, 2017
Guest Column: Budget ’17 needs to incentivise digital adoption, stir rural economy

This year’s Union Budget, called unique, has been the talk of the town. First, it’s going to be scheduled on 1 February 2017instead of the usual presentation on 28 February. Second, it’s the first time that the Railway Budget is going to be merged with the Union Budget.

However, I would like to consider it unique for other reasons as well. We are aware of the fact that this exercise has come against the backdrop of demonetisation. Due to this, demand has dropped and the GDP of the country has been affected gravely. While experts have already envisioned a poor growth rate, I would like to consider a worst possible situation of seven per cent plus rate as still healthy. What affects us the most in marketing, branding and advertising sectors of the media industry is consumer business segment.

The consumer business sector has seen a lot of volatility of late due to impending rollout of GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation. The retail and FMCG segments have been directly affected. This means stringent marketing budgets, which has slowed brand development exercises.

Hence, I would like to term the budget “unique” if my budget expectations are met. What are my expectations? The following:

1. Shaking up rural economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking about this for a long period of time. The finance minister had given hints to incentivise foreign companies to come here and market Indian agricultural produce. I am eagerly looking forward to this as this would mean sizable investment in this sector and more start-ups getting into it promoting healthy business and growth rates.

2. Promote digital payments

Now that the government has shown us the dream of a cashless economy, I am expecting clear incentives for financial technology companies and cashless transacting businesses. Some bit of it has already started, but some better provisions will ensure more innovation in the sector, thus leading to consumer ease.

3. Government investment in health and education

We have seen the government going strong on the Swachha Bharat (Clean India) campaign and many brands associating themselves to a larger social cause. I am expecting a similar impetus in the health and education sectors.

4. Clarity on GST game plan

A clearer roll out timeline for the GST is the need of the hour to end the uncertainty looming large everywhere. I am expecting a clearer picture after the budget is announced.

5. Tax relaxation

After the demonetisation drive, the government seems to have successfully collected a significant amount of money. The individual salaried person is definitely expecting a relaxation of tax slabs and rates. I am hoping that the fiscal deficit will be lower and, hence, the base line tax rate coming down, which can essentially widen the base and make the environment more conducive for business.

(Saswata Das is partner & executive director WOW Design. The views expressed here are personal, and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them)

January 30, 2017
CNN-News18’s ‘Axe The Tax’ to present wishlist to FM

MUMBAI: CNN-News18 through its budget programming #BudgetAfterDeMo will endeavour to look at expectations from different sections of society from Budget 2017 with special emphasis on decoding and analysing the impact of demonetisation.

Post demonetisation, people, in general, are expecting major tax sops from finance minister Arun Jaitley. CNN-News18 provides a platform to the viewers to voice their expectations on various taxation policies from the Union Budget through its award-winning show, Axe The Tax.

The show will air on 28 January at 7:30 pm and on 29 January at 1:30 pm.

This special campaign of the channel, which as completed 10 years, will present six key suggestions to the finance minister this year for changes to the country’s taxation rules. The suggestions will be based on viewer’s feedback and from consultations with top tax analysts.

In the past, many of the suggestions have found mention in the Union Budget thus making it a truly impactful and effective initiative.

January 27, 2017
CNN-News18’s ‘Axe The Tax’ to present wishlist to FM

MUMBAI: CNN-News18 through its budget programming #BudgetAfterDeMo will endeavour to look at expectations from different sections of society from Budget 2017 with special emphasis on decoding and analysing the impact of demonetisation.

Post demonetisation, people, in general, are expecting major tax sops from finance minister Arun Jaitley. CNN-News18 provides a platform to the viewers to voice their expectations on various taxation policies from the Union Budget through its award-winning show, Axe The Tax.

The show will air on 28 January at 7:30 pm and on 29 January at 1:30 pm.

This special campaign of the channel, which as completed 10 years, will present six key suggestions to the finance minister this year for changes to the country’s taxation rules. The suggestions will be based on viewer’s feedback and from consultations with top tax analysts.

In the past, many of the suggestions have found mention in the Union Budget thus making it a truly impactful and effective initiative.

January 27, 2017
Budget 2017 Wish-list: MSOs demand industry status, rationalisation of entertainment & services taxes

NEW DELHI: Annually various sectors of the Indian industry draw wish-list and hope that the government will grant them some relief during the presentation of the annual Budget of the country. MSOs are no exception and the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has not only demanded an industry status, which will give it related financial incentives, but also rationalisation of various other taxes, including service and entertainment taxes.

“Grant us infrastructure status for the (distribution) industry and remove the 8 per cent AGR applicable for MSOs offering broadband via cable,” said AIDCF Secretary-general Saharsh Damani when asked by indiantelevision.com about what the organisation would like Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to announce during his Budget presentation on February 1, 2017.

AIDCF has also exhorted the government to grant them parity with manufacturing sector vis-a-vis u/s 2A as a disparity between the service and the manufacturing sectors is “adversely affecting” the growth and consolidation of service sector of which the MSOs are part of.

“The tax benefits under Section 72A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of amalgamation or demerger (carry forward and set off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation allowances) are currently limited to industrial undertakings or a ship, hotel, aircraft or banking. The definition of industrial undertaking should be widened to include service industry, broadcasters and content production companies,” Damani said.

The AIDCF, which is said to be a new and digital avatar of MSO Alliance, would also like removal of dual applicability of service and entertainment taxes on the cable TV.

According to the apex body of MSOs, till the time GST (Goods and Services Tax) comes in place, entertainment tax paid to a state government may also be made creditable against the service tax liability of the cable TV sector. What does it mean? When a cable TV network, for example, pays an entertainment tax of Rs 100, then it should be able to adjust the same against the service tax payable and get a credit there on, AIDCF said.

“This will be a short term measure, but will give higher declaration of entertainment tax and will bring in sufficient numbers to ensure that (overall revenue) collection of the government on service tax does not drop,” AIDCF’s Damani explained.

Originally GST was supposed to have rolled out from April 1, 2017, but because of political wrangling and some states raising doubts on their share of the tax collected under a GST regime, Finance Minister Jaitley, according to media reports, has opined the new tax regime could be rolled out some time middle of 2017.

Apart from that, AIDCF has also urged the government to rationalise indirect taxes like import duties on network equipment. Further, the organisation has suggested allowing use of USO (Universal Service Obligation) Funds for broadband infrastructure expansion would greatly benefit the industry.

Also Read:

Broadcasters bat for parity with print medium under GST

India, US should resolve IPR issues at earliest: IACC

January 25, 2017
Budget 2017 Wish-list: MSOs demand industry status, rationalisation of entertainment & services taxes

NEW DELHI: Annually various sectors of the Indian industry draw wish-list and hope that the government will grant them some relief during the presentation of the annual Budget of the country. MSOs are no exception and the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has not only demanded an industry status, which will give it related financial incentives, but also rationalisation of various other taxes, including service and entertainment taxes.

“Grant us infrastructure status for the (distribution) industry and remove the 8 per cent AGR applicable for MSOs offering broadband via cable,” said AIDCF Secretary-general Saharsh Damani when asked by indiantelevision.com about what the organisation would like Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to announce during his Budget presentation on February 1, 2017.

AIDCF has also exhorted the government to grant them parity with manufacturing sector vis-a-vis u/s 2A as a disparity between the service and the manufacturing sectors is “adversely affecting” the growth and consolidation of service sector of which the MSOs are part of.

“The tax benefits under Section 72A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of amalgamation or demerger (carry forward and set off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation allowances) are currently limited to industrial undertakings or a ship, hotel, aircraft or banking. The definition of industrial undertaking should be widened to include service industry, broadcasters and content production companies,” Damani said.

The AIDCF, which is said to be a new and digital avatar of MSO Alliance, would also like removal of dual applicability of service and entertainment taxes on the cable TV.

According to the apex body of MSOs, till the time GST (Goods and Services Tax) comes in place, entertainment tax paid to a state government may also be made creditable against the service tax liability of the cable TV sector. What does it mean? When a cable TV network, for example, pays an entertainment tax of Rs 100, then it should be able to adjust the same against the service tax payable and get a credit there on, AIDCF said.

“This will be a short term measure, but will give higher declaration of entertainment tax and will bring in sufficient numbers to ensure that (overall revenue) collection of the government on service tax does not drop,” AIDCF’s Damani explained.

Originally GST was supposed to have rolled out from April 1, 2017, but because of political wrangling and some states raising doubts on their share of the tax collected under a GST regime, Finance Minister Jaitley, according to media reports, has opined the new tax regime could be rolled out some time middle of 2017.

Apart from that, AIDCF has also urged the government to rationalise indirect taxes like import duties on network equipment. Further, the organisation has suggested allowing use of USO (Universal Service Obligation) Funds for broadband infrastructure expansion would greatly benefit the industry.

Also Read:

Broadcasters bat for parity with print medium under GST

India, US should resolve IPR issues at earliest: IACC

January 25, 2017