New Delhi, December 15, 2009: Ace women shuttler Saina Nehwal, who is the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, wins the sports category of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009. Saina Nehwal's achievements this year make her stand out like a colossus in the history of Indian sport. Saina, with all her determination, conviction and willpower, has fuelled the ambitions of sporting excellence and achievement in millions of Indians and has made a triumphant mark in the world badminton championships. Saina Nehwal’s unparallel sporting achievements helped her win the prestigious title of CNN-IBN Sportsperson of the Year.

The other illustrious nominees in the category included Bhaichung Bhutia for being the only world class player in the Indian football team and captaining a successful defence of the Nehru Cup. Gautam Gambhir for being the year's most consistent Indian batsmen in all three forms of the game and winning the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award. India’s tennis pride Leander Paes was also nominated for reaching four Grand Slam finals in 2009 and winning 2 of them -- the French Open and the US Open -- at age 37. Pankaj Advani was nominated for winning the World Professional Billiards title and becoming the only man to hold both the world amateur and professional titles at the same time. In the face of stiff competition from Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, who was nominated for achieving two firsts for an Indian boxer -- winning a World Championship medal and becoming the world number 01 in his category, Saina Nehwal won the prestigious title of CNN-IBN Sportsperson of the Year for taking Indian badminton to unprecedented heights by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Super Series title.

The award will be given to Saina Nehwal in a glittering award ceremony that will take place on 21st December at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Hon’ble PM Dr. Manmohan Singh will be the Chief Guest at the occasion and the award ceremony will be attended by renowned personalities.

The category winner is selected for the award after a rigorous and transparent 4-tier selection process which included inputs from the IBN18 editorial team, the Jury, the Electoral College and the citizens of the country.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 Network said "I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to Saina Nehwal for being chosen CNN-IBN Sportsperson of the Year ’09. Saina was honoured for transforming the image of the contemporary Indian sportswoman and beating the best in the world in the highly competitive sport of badminton.”

About Network 18
Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India's leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India’s leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India’s largest Internet players - Web18, as well as one of India’s leading real time financial information and news terminals - Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India's leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India - as also Studio18, the Group’s filmed entertainment operation and has launched ‘Colors’, a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group’s online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18

Disclaimer:
"ibn18 Broadcast Limited is proposing, subject to market conditions and other considerations, an offer of its equity shares on rights basis and has filed a Draft Letter of Offer with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI"). The Draft Letter of Offer is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and the website of the Lead Manager at www.icicisecurities.com. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and are requested to refer to the section titled "Risk Factors" of the Draft Letter of Offer for details of the same."

For More Information please contact:
Dimple Mehta
9871880093
Hanmer MS&L