Republic TV and two Marathi news channels accused of manipulating TRP ratings

Mumbai Police has succeeded in exposing a scam involving manipulation of TRPs by arresting the owners of two Marathi channels who were active in getting TRP in a wrong way. 

Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh on Thursday said that the TRP was manipulated as the accused would would bribe and ask some households to keep some channels on even if they were not at home. Commissioner Param Bir Singh said, Police received the data of these households from BARC, the rating agency.

The BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) releases weekly rating points for TV channels in India and its own officials are also being questioned in connection with the case.

Republic TV is also a suspect in TRP manipulation, the Mumbai Police Commissioner said. Owners of Marathi channels Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema have been arrested. Arrests were made under sections 409 and 420 of IPC.

Commissioner Param Bir Singh said, Republic TV will be summoned and questioned. Summons will be sent to Republic officials, including Director Arnab Goswami on Thursday and they will be asked to appear before the investigating team, the commissioner said.

What is BARC?
The BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) releases weekly rating points for TV channels in India.

What is TRP?
Television Rating Point, or TRP, is a tool provided to judge which programmes are viewed the most. It gives an index of the choice of the people and also the popularity of a particular channel.