MUMBAI: Star Plus, India?s No 1 Hindi Entertainment Channel, has been adjudged the best in its class at the prestigious CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011.

Star Plus topped viewers? choice in a pan-India survey of over 5,500 viewers in the country. According to the survey conducted by CNBC Awaaz and AC Nielsen in the run up to the awards, STAR Plus emerged a clear leader with maximum viewership in the country and was voted as "The Most Recommended Television Channel of the Year" in the Entertainment Category.

"Viewers are at the core of STAR Plus?s content. They are the force that drives us to constantly raise benchmarks with shows that set a social agenda, while simultaneously improving on the viewing experience through HD channels and Apps that make content available on-the-move," Nitin Vaidya, Business Head, Hindi Channels, STAR India said, thrilled by the recognition. He added: "To be voted as the most favorite channel is a huge compliment and an honor. We, at STAR, are humbled at receiving the CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011."

The channels refreshed brand philosophy "Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi" is not just a tag line but the operating brand philosophy which is best expressed through the actions of its progressive protagonists. These iconic women characters, reflects India, what?s changing and what?s reassuringly remaining the same. STAR Plus continues to seek to inspire and entertain through strong and stirring content that reflects and propels India forward in its path to fulfillment. It is this vision that has made STAR Plus the leading Entertainment Channel in India, touching the lives of 300 MM viewers a week and earning the place as the most loved channel brand for viewers.

STAR Plus, STAR India Pvt ltd.?s flagship channel, reaches more than 300 mn viewers weekly. The channel has redefined the Hindi GEC space by retaining its leadership position in the Hindi GEC space for more than a decade and introduced innovations like HD recently, consolidated its position as the leading Hindi broadcaster in India. With discerning and distinct fiction content, iconic characters, unparalleled non-fiction formats & events to its credit, STAR Plus continues to set the agenda for the Hindi Entertainment genre in India.

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.?