New TRP policy draft seeks to allow multiple agencies, modernise TV ratings; check details

In a bid to overhaul India’s outdated television ratings system, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has released a draft policy proposing major reforms in Television Rating Points (TRP) measurement. The draft, unveiled on July 2, 2025, aims to open the sector to multiple agencies, promote healthy competition, and align with the country’s evolving media consumption habits.

The government has invited feedback from stakeholders and the public within 30 days of the draft’s release.

Why a New TRP Policy?

India’s television landscape has witnessed a dramatic shift, with audiences increasingly consuming content on smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile apps alongside traditional cable and DTH services. However, the current TRP system fails to fully capture these trends.

At present, BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) is the sole agency measuring TV ratings in India. With only about 58,000 people meters covering 230 million TV households (a mere 0.025% of total homes), experts argue the existing sample size is too limited to reflect the country’s diverse viewing habits.

Moreover, BARC’s methodology does not track viewership on connected TV devices, which have seen a sharp rise in usage.

Key Issues With the Current TRP Framework

•    Monopoly of a single agency (BARC) in audience measurement.
•    Lack of tracking for connected TVs and streaming platforms.
•    Restrictive entry barriers discouraging new players.
•    Cross-holding restrictions preventing broadcasters or advertisers from investing in rating agencies.

What’s in the Draft Policy?

•    The proposed amendments aim to democratise and modernise audience measurement by:
•    Removing restrictive clauses (1.5 & 1.7) that hindered new entrants.
•    Modifying Clause 1.4 to allow companies broader operational flexibility while preventing conflict of interest.
•    Opening the sector for multiple agencies to encourage innovation and better technology adoption.
The government hopes the reforms will deliver more accurate and representative data, capturing the true scale of India’s rapidly diversifying content consumption.

Building a Future-Ready TRP System

The I&B Ministry envisions a transparent, inclusive, and technology-driven audience measurement ecosystem. The new guidelines could unlock investments from broadcasters, advertisers, and tech firms, improving infrastructure and ensuring ratings reflect real-world viewing habits.

Stakeholders and citizens can submit their suggestions over the next 30 days, after which the final guidelines will be notified.