TV ratings blackout gets longer: Broadcasters worried as pressure to restore audience measurement & provide advertisers greater visibility rises ahead of festive season

The prolonged suspension of television ratings has emerged as a key point of contention between broadcasters and the ministry of information and broadcasting, with the festive season intensifying pressure to restore audience measurement and provide advertisers greater visibility.

In July, the ministry asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to withhold the measurement and publication of TV ratings until the government decides on its registration application. The decision is subject to BARC complying with the ministry’s TV rating guidelines, released in March and amended in May.