TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On Review Of Television Audience Measurement And Ratings In India

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a Consultation Paper on “Review of Television Audience Measurement and Ratings in India”.

Audience measurement implies measurement of what is being viewed. On the basis of audience measurement data, ratings are assigned to various programmes on television. Television ratings in turn influence programmes produced for the viewers.

In 2012 MIB sought recommendations of TRAI for laying down comprehensive guidelines/accreditation mechanism for Television rating agencies in India to ensure transparency and accountability in the rating system. After an exhaustive consultation process TRAI gave its recommendations on

“Guidelines/Accreditation Mechanism for television ratings Agencies in India” to MIB on 13th September 2013. The Authority supported self-regulation of television ratings through an industry led body like Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). TRAI recommended comprehensive guidelines for registration of television rating agencies.

MIB accepted TRAI recommendations and notified Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India on 10th January 2014. Under these guidelines, the industry-led body BARC was accredited by MIB on 28th July 2015, to carry out the television ratings in India. BARC commenced its operations in 2015 and since then it is the sole provider of TV rating services on commercial basis.

Several concerns relating to neutrality and reliability of the existing rating system have been raised by stakeholders, which necessitated a need to review of existing Television Audience Measurement and Ratings system in India. Accordingly, TRAI has suo-motu floated this consultation paper for seeking comments of stakeholders on the issues related to review of existing system.

Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 2nd January 2019. Counter-comments, if any, may be submitted by January 16, 2019. —BCS Bureau

For full report, click on https://www.broadcastandcablesat.co.in/review-of-television-audience-measurement-and-ratings-in-india/