Lok Sabha Question No. 2652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Rating System of TV Programme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2652

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2018)

## RATING SYSTEM OF TV PROGRAMME

## 2652. DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware that there are several concerns relating to neutrality and reliability of the existing audience TV programme rating system which need to be reviewed and if so, the details thereof along with the present rating system of the TV programme;
- (b) whether the Ministry had sought recommendations for laying down comprehensive  guidelines  and  accreditation  mechanism  for  television  rating agencies in India to ensure transparency and accountability in the rating system during the year 2012 and if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  recently  issued consultation  paper  to  review  TV  audience  measurement  and  recommended comprehensive guidelines for registration of television rating agencies; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and the further  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a) to (d): Ministry of Information & Broadcasting vide its letter dated 31.08.2012, had requested Telecom  Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to provide its recommendations for comprehensive guidelines/ accreditation mechanism for TRP rating agencies in India. TRAI gave its recommendations on 'Guidelines/ Accreditation  Mechanism  for  television  ratings  Agencies  in  India'  on  11.09.2013. Based on  the  said  recommendations,  the  Ministry  with  the  approval  of  the  Union Cabinet,  issued  'Policy  Guidelines  for  Television  Rating  Agencies  in  India'  on

16.01.2014.    The  Policy  Guidelines  stipulate  the  rating  process/  methodology  in detail for audience measurement. (These Guidelines are available on the BroadcastSeva portal of this Ministry at the link https://www.broadcastseva.gov.in/TRP\_loading\_page/TRP\_Guidelines\_16.01.2014. pdf )   Keeping in view the provisions of the said Guidelines, M/s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has been granted registration for operating as Television Rating Agency. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has received a representation from Regulatory Analysis & Advocacy Group (RAAG), wherein it has made some observations on the validity of TRP ratings generated and has requested the  Government  to  review  the  Policy  Guidelines  for  Television  Ratings  in  India. Further, TRAI has informed that on 03.12.2018, it has suo-motu floated Consultation Paper  on  'Review  of  Television  Audience  Measurement  and  Ratings  in  India'  for seeking  comments  of  stakeholders  on  the  issues  related  to  review  of  existing system.  However, no fresh recommendations have been received from TRAI on the issue.

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