Television Audience measurement implies measurement of what is being viewed on television. 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. 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 with basic objective to solicit the views of stakeholders on regulatory initiatives/measures to be taken to make TV rating services more accurate, widely acceptable. This consultation paper also explores possibilities of use of new technologies to enhance credibility, transparency, neutrality and fairness in the TV rating in India. The full text of the Consultation Paper is available on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in .

Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 2nd January 2019. Counter-comments, if any, may be submitted by 16thJanuary 2019. The comments and counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form, to Mr. Arvind Kumar, Advisor (B&CS) on the e-mail address arvind@trai.gov.in or vk.agarwal@trai.gov.in.
Comments and counter-comments will be posted on TRAI’S website www.trai.gov.in.

Click here to read Consultation Paper on Review of Television Audience Measurement and Ratings in India

For any clarification / information, Shri Arvind Kumar, Advisor(B&CS) may be contracted at Tel. No.: +91-11-23220209, Fax: -91-11-23230056.