With TRP data withheld, news broadcasters face uncertainty in advertising and viewership benchmarks as the government seeks to curb panic-driven coverage during an ongoing global conflict.
A massive column of smoke rises over a city skyline following reported airstrikes, as tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: Xinhua via IANS)
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council to continue holding back Television Rating Points for news channels for another four weeks, citing concerns over sensational and speculative coverage linked to the West Asia conflict.
The move extends an earlier order issued on March 6 and will remain in place either for four weeks or until fresh directions are issued. The government said the decision has been taken in the public interest as the conflict situation continues.
Advertisement
The Ministry said the step is aimed at checking what it described as “unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content” by some news broadcasters. It warned that such coverage could create anxiety among viewers, especially those with family or connections in the affected regions.
Advertisement
TRPs tell channels how many people are watching them. That’s how they get ads. Without these numbers, channels can’t show how well they’re doing or attract advertisers easily.
Officials noted that the situation in West Asia remains volatile, which prompted the extension of the suspension. The Ministry said the earlier directive had already paused TRP reporting for four weeks and the current decision continues that restriction.
“Whereas the conflict situation still largely prevails at the moment; Therefore, in the public interest, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting hereby directs M/s BARC to withhold reporting the Television Rating Points (TRPS) for News TV Channels for a further period of four (4) weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier,” the Ministry said in its statement.
This is not the first time TRP reporting has been halted. In 2020, the Ministry had ordered a similar pause following allegations of manipulation in television ratings data, which were later investigated by Mumbai Police.
The Broadcast Audience Research Council, set up in 2010, is the only body authorised to measure television viewership in India. This data decides ad deals worth crores. So if it stops, it doesn’t just hit business, it also changes how news channels plan and run their coverage.
Advertisement
