MUMBAI: "Evenings" are going to be special at CNBC- TV 18.

The business channel has announced a programming revamp with a special focus on a special evening band - from 6:30 pm to 11 pm. As part of the initiative, the channel will air a number of new and redesigned programmes in the morning, day, and evening and weekend bands. To bolster the evenings, the channel has brought in two heavyweight anchors to host two current affairs programmes.

The channel has decided to replace Business@ 10 with Tonight at 10, an incisive current affairs show anchored by Karan Thapar. The Monday to Thursday show will debut on Monday 8 March 2004 at 10:00 pm. While veteran journalist MJ Akbar will host Encounter on Fridays, which will premiere on Friday 21 March 2004 at 10:00 pm.

Besides the current affairs line up, the channel will also be focusing on international news from across the globe and revamped markets wrap-up coverage in the evening band, says a company release.

Tonight at 10 with Thapar is a news reactive show where viewers will witness the ace journalist in in-depth discussions with the guests of the day on the latest business, political, economic and current affairs issues in the country. The viewers will also be able to call in and post their opinions and queries.

While eminent journalist and political commentator, M J Akbar will Encounter personalities that will shape the nation's destiny in the half hour weekly programme every Friday. The special invitees for the rendezvous include the likes of LK Advani, Chandrababu Naidu and Pramod Mahajan. The programme will be shot on location. Looking at the current flavour of the month, the show will have a distinct "campaign trail" flavour, as the elections draw near.

According to CNBC-TV18 vice president sales and marketing B Saikumar, "Business today straddles all walks of life and this is reflected in our programming. We have tried to cater to the needs of our discerning viewers by strengthening the evening band with a stronger dose of a) business news b) international news c) business talk shows like Cutting Edge and Managing India d) current affairs shows like Encounter and Tonight at Ten and e) features like Storyboard and Trendmill. There is an overwhelming leadership' for CNBC-TV18 in this segment and this band is clearly aimed at strengthening our leadership position further."