BARC News Channel Ratings

January 15, 2022

Information & Broadcasting Ministry asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC India) to resume “news channel ratings” with immediate effect.

Key Facts

Ministry has asked to release of viewership data of news channels as well as to release the last three months data of news channels in monthly format.
As per ministry, reporting of viewership data of news and niche genres will be done on the basis of ‘four week rolling average concept’.

When and why were ratings paused?

BARC India had stopped releasing news channel TV ratings data in October 2020. It was stopped in the backdrop of Mumbai police investigation around rigging of viewership data.

Revision of Process

BARC has revised its processes, oversight mechanisms and protocols.
It has initiated changes in governance structure in-line with TRP committee report and TRAI recommendations.
It has also initiated reconstitution of its board and technical committee for inducting independent members.
Furthermore, BARC has formulated a permanent oversight committee and has also revamped access protocols of data.

Revised System

According to revised system, reporting of News and Niche Genres will be on a ‘four week rolling average concept’.

Working Group

Ministry has also set up a ‘Working Group’ under the Chairmanship of Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati. The working group will look into leveraging return path data capabilities for TV viewership data service, based on recommendation of TRAI and TRP Committee Report.

Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC)

BARC India is a joint industry body. It was founded by organisations representing Indian broadcasters (IBF), advertising and media agencies (AAAI) and advertisers (ISA). It is the largest television measurement science industry body worldwide. It uses audio watermark technology for measuring viewership of TV channels. It also measures time-shifted viewing. BARC was incorporated in 2010. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

TRAI is a regulatory body, set up in accordance with section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. The body regulates the telecommunications sector in India. It comprises of a chairperson, two full-time members and two part-time members.

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