What the new Television Rating Policy means, and why it was needed
Policy requires rating agencies to expand their reach to 80,000 homes in the short term and eventually 1,20,000 homes
The Television Rating Policy (TRP) 2026, notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is a major attempt to reform how television audiences are measured in India and to make the system more credible and future-ready.
A larger, more reliable sample
The policy requires rating agencies to sharply expand their reach—from current levels to 80,000 metered homes in the short term and eventually 1,20,000 homes. This expansion is meant to make ratings more representative of India’s diverse population and reduce the chances of manipulation.
A key shift is the move to technology-neutral measurement. Ratings will now include viewership from cable, DTH, OTT platforms, and connected TVs, ensuring that data reflects how audiences consume content across multiple screens.
Greater transparency and accountability
Rating agencies must disclose their methodologies and publish anonymised data, opening the system to scrutiny. This will be backed by a dual audit mechanism—internal and external—as well as oversight by a government-appointed team, making the process more accountable.
The policy also mandates compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, ensuring that audience data is collected and handled responsibly, and addressing concerns around misuse of personal information.
Checks against manipulation
The policy explicitly bars the counting of viewership generated through landing pages, a practice often used to inflate ratings. Landing page can only be used as a marketing tool. Broadcasters must also disclose such placements, closing an important loophole in the system.
Clear rules and enforcement
A structured grievance redressal system and graded penalties—including suspension or cancellation of registration—signals stricter enforcement and quicker resolution of disputes.
OTT and distribution platforms will be allowed to publish their own viewership data without prior approval, reflecting a more flexible and transparent approach in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Notably, early in March, the government had directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to halt the release of TRPs for all TV news channels for four weeks following concerns over sensational and speculative reporting of the West Asia crisis.
Why the policy was needed
Through this policy, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to a fair, competitive, and well-governed broadcasting environment that safeguards the interest of stakeholders and the public.
The earlier TRP system had faced allegations of manipulation and lack of transparency, which weakened confidence among broadcasters, advertisers, and viewers.
Moreover, traditional measurement systems focused mainly on linear television and failed to capture the growing dominance of OTT platforms and smart TVs, making ratings less reflective of actual consumption.
Audiences today watch content across multiple devices and platforms. The old framework could not keep pace with this shift, necessitating a more comprehensive and inclusive approach.
