The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has proposed amendments to the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India, originally notified in January 2014. As per the notice, the ministry has invited feedback from stakeholders and the public within 30 days on the revised draft that aims to strengthen the transparency and neutrality of television audience measurement.
Among the key changes proposed, the ministry has stated that any viewership arising out of a channel’s landing page shall not be counted in the official television rating measurement. The draft clarifies that landing pages may only be used as a marketing tool, a move expected to curb inflated viewership figures caused by default channel placements.
Other major revisions include reducing the minimum net worth requirement for television rating agencies from Rs 20 crore to Rs 5 crore, and expanding the minimum panel size for audience measurement to 50,000 homes within 18 months of registration, with an annual increase of 10,000 homes until reaching 1.2 lakh.
The draft also tightens the cross-holding cap between broadcasters and rating agencies, limiting substantial equity to 20% or more, and reinforces conflict-of-interest norms by prohibiting broadcasters from holding stakes in rating companies.
The proposed changes come in response to industry feedback on an earlier July 2025 draft. Once finalized, the updated policy will apply to both existing and newly registered TV rating agencies, ushering in a more accountable TRP measurement ecosystem.
