Stories
Government Forms High-Level Panel to Resolve BARC Ratings Impasse
- •The government has formed a high-level committee to examine the future of television audience measurement and resolve the ongoing BARC ratings impasse in India.
- •The committee includes top-level representations from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and aims to provide relief to broadcasters, advertisers, and agencies.
- •Industry bodies like IBDF, AAAI, and ISA previously wrote to the ministry highlighting the severe commercial impact of the ratings blackout during the festive season.
- •BARC ratings were suspended after the introduction of the Television Ratings Policy 2026, which requires ratings agencies to obtain registration under a new framework.
- •The committee will decide whether to clear BARC's path back to the market, impose conditions, or establish a broader multi-player ratings framework.
Key Questions Answered
The government formed a high-level committee to examine the future of television audience measurement, address issues surrounding BARC India, and review regulatory requirements under the Television Ratings Policy 2026 to find a way forward for broadcasters and advertisers.
The Television Ratings Policy 2026 expanded the metered home universe from 50,000 to 80,000, introduced independent audits, cross-holding restrictions, landing-page exclusion, and graded penalties, while requiring ratings agencies to obtain fresh registration.
Industry bodies like the IBDF, AAAI, and ISA wrote to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting flagging the severe commercial impact of the ratings blackout on media planning, advertiser confidence, and revenue visibility during the festive season.
