Mumbai Police Busts ‘Fake TRPs’ Racket; Media Networks United Against Arnab Goswami


Television Rating Points (TRP) is very necessary for any TV channel. Mumbai police have captured the false TRP on three news channels.

In a press conference held on Thursday, Mumbai Police commissioner Paramvir Singh told reporters that the city police are probing a scam involving manipulation of TRPs. He identified three channels such as, Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema and Republic TV which the police commissioner said are involved in distorting the apparatus used by BARC to rate TV channels.

"The accused would ask some households to keep some channels on even if they were not at home. The TRP is calculated on the basis of TV channel viewership in a set of households," said Singh.

Singh said that the bank accounts of the channels would be investigated, besides the funds they receive from advertisers and "whether they are from proceeds of crimes".

"The TV advertising industry is worth Rs 30,000-40,000 crore. The rates are decided on the basis of TRP. Even if minor changes are made in TRP, it affects advertising," he noted. 

"Anyone involved in the channel, no matter how top management, how senior, will be questioned, and if involved they will be investigated," he added.

Reacting to the Mumbai Police presser, a BARC India spokesperson said, "As in all our previous cases of suspected panel homes intrusions, BARC India continues to follow its established vigilance and disciplinary guidelines. BARC remains steadfastly true to its purpose to accurately and faithfully report ‘What India Watches’. BARC India appreciates the efforts of the Mumbai Police and will provide the support asked of it."

Now India Today and RepublicTV have been alleging each other. According to RepublicTV the name of IndiaToday has also been included in the FIR list. But the evidence goes for the accused. India Today accesses an eyewitness account of a TV barometer holder, who was offered RS 400 monthly payment if she played Republic TV on.

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