NEW DELHI, May 31, 2013: As the world?s top test-playing nations get ready to battle it out for the coveted ICC Champions Trophy 2013 starting June 6, CNN-IBN brings you ?LOC Clash of Champions?, a special programming that will capture all the excitement and track the fortunes of the teams playing in this mini World Cup.

With England hosting the seventh and final edition of ICC Champions Trophy, the CNN-IBN sports team will be there to cover all the happenings on and off the pitch. A dynamic team of sports journalists, joined by experts such as Anil Kumble, Kris Srikkanth, Harsha Bhogle and Aakash Chopra, will preview and analyse every game of the tournament.

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN Lokmat, said, "Whether it?s our love for the game or national spirit or both, we at CNN-IBN believe in putting together an innovative, analytical, fun and informative programming for our viewers. ?LOC Clash of Champions? will give viewers multiple perspectives of the tournament with the most pertinent experts and our team of reporters who add the extra spark into the game."

?LOC Clash of Champions? begins its innings with a special preview show on 5th June @ 7:30 PM and daily shows during India match days at 2:30 PM, 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM and other match days at 7:30 PM.

Mumbai: Dr. B R Ambedkar was voted as the undisputed ?Greatest Indian? in the much anticipated quest spearheaded by HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN. After weeks of fervent debate and speculation, the series culminated in a grand finale with eminent luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and IBN18 Editor in Chief Rajdeep Sardesai among others

The father of the constitution received an overwhelming majority of the nearly 2 crore votes cast since the launch of the initiative. He also garnered the second highest Jury votes in the 3 pronged process which gives equal weightage to the popular vote, a jury and an on-ground poll. Other ?Greats? in the Top 10 list included eminent Indians across its 65 years from Jawaharlal Nehru to Mother Teresa to Sachin Tendulkar. The voting created phenomenal buzz in popular social media networks ?which was used actively by various fan groups to drive voting, besides trending regularly on Twitter.

The grand finale, featuring some of the best known names, was replete with interesting anecdotes and incidents related to the ?Greats?. Besides discussion, it was also an occasion of celebration: The audience was mesmerized by the haunting voice of Kailash Kher singing his popular numbers like ?Teri Dewaani?, ?Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi? amongst others. Echoing the sentiment of all present, Amitabh Bachchan blogged about the event saying, ?Learning about these stalwarts in their fields, their contribution towards society and the country, the little and interesting anecdotes connected with them and what other greats thought of them. (All) in all a most substantial evening, one that is not encountered often.?

Commenting on initiative, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief IBN18 Network said ?We?re overjoyed that this series has captured the nation?s imagination and are truly inspired by the levels of interest and debate generated. It?s great that figures from our past continue to inspire such a passionate response and we are happy to have played a small role in helping understand them better.?

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Chacko, President, A+E Networks | TV18, stated, ?HISTORY TV18?s attempt has been to create interest across generations in the subject in an informal and entertaining way. This partnership with CNN IBN enables HISTORY TV18 to bring forth the inspiring figures over the years, who have had the maximum impact on the country?s present and future. India has always been identified as a cricket and Bollywood crazy nation, so it feels heartening to find nation builders and leaders topping the list, proving that the poll hit the right chord with people who?ve clearly realised its true purpose- to vote for iconic Great Indians who have impacted lives?

Myleeta Aga, General Manager & Creative Head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, said ?BBC Worldwide India is thrilled to have partnered with HISTORY TV18 and CNN IBN to bring the BBC format "The Greatest Indian" to the Indian audience. It has been a fantastic collaboration that culminated in a Grand Finale that we produced together and brought into focus inspiring Indians including Mother Teresa, Dr. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru. The series has broken records emulating the success of the series worldover.?

The entire process, one of the most thorough and meticulous in the industry, was audited by Grant Thornton. Along with the nationwide poll, equal weightage will be given to the jury?s selection as well as a separate market research poll conducted by The Nielsen Company.

The Grand Finale will be telecast at 14th Aug, 7PM and 15th Aug, 9PM on HISTORY TV18 and 14th Aug, 9PM and 15th Aug, 7PM on CNN IBN.

Mumbai: CNN-IBN brings to its viewers an exclusive day-long coverage on the day of the results for recently concluded assembly election in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Led by Rajdeep Sardesai, the CNN-IBN Editorial Team of Sagarika Ghose, Bhupendra Choubey and Karan Thapar will bring exclusive updates and in-depth analysis as the election results unfold through the day. They will be joined by the most formidable political analysts and commentators of the country, including psephologist Yogendra Yadav, Sachidanand Murthy, Resident Editor, The Week, Prabhu Chawla, Manini Chaterjee and Swapan Dasgupta in deciphering the poll verdict for the viewers.

To catch the special counting day programming, tune into CNN-IBN on March 6, 2012 from 7 am to 11 pm.

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, said, "As CNN-IBN has been the most preferred choice during election every year, this year too through The Counting Day Special programming we promise to present to our viewers the most decisive verdict and credible reporting on the poll as closely analyzed by our chief election experts from the panel".