Kevin Vaz calls for regulatory relief for linear TV; immediate restoration of BARC ratings
FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee chairman says broadcasters need a roadmap to reduce regulatory costs and reliable audience data to help advertisers plan campaigns
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Published: Sep 29, 2026 11:00 AM | 2 min read
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- Kevin Vaz, CEO of JioStar and Chairman of the FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee, emphasized the need for a roadmap to reduce regulatory burdens on linear television broadcasting during the FICCI FRAMES 2026 event.
- He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to restore audience ratings from the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to provide reliable data for broadcasters and advertisers.
- Vaz welcomed the removal of the 10+2 advertising cap as a positive step towards adapting regulatory frameworks to the evolving media landscape.
- He highlighted the importance of reliable audience measurement and regulatory flexibility to support the broadcasting industry amid changing consumption patterns and global economic uncertainty.
Kevin Vaz, Chief Executive Officer of the Entertainment Business at JioStar and Chairman of the FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee, has called for a tangible roadmap to reduce the regulatory burden and cost of linear television broadcasting, while urging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to immediately restore the release of audience ratings by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
Speaking at the inaugural session of FICCI FRAMES 2026, Vaz said the broadcasting industry needed greater regulatory flexibility to allow linear television to evolve alongside digital platforms and give consumers more choice in how and where they consume content.
“A tangible roadmap is needed to remove the regulatory burden and cost of linear broadcasting, allowing it to evolve alongside digital and giving consumers greater choice in how, where and on which screen they consume content,” he said.
Vaz also welcomed the ministry's decision to remove the 10+2 advertising cap, calling it an important step towards a regulatory framework that reflects the changing realities of linear broadcasting and the wider media landscape.
On audience measurement, he urged the Ministry to resume the release of BARC ratings, saying the absence of credible and verifiable audience data was creating uncertainty for broadcasters, advertisers and agencies, particularly during the festive season.
“Reliable measurement is essential for brands to plan campaigns and reach audiences efficiently,” he said.
Vaz said television remained one of India's most widely consumed and affordable media platforms, with broadcasting and advertising contributing to the wider economic ecosystem. He added that reliable audience measurement was critical to supporting broadcasters and advertisers amid global economic uncertainty.
The remarks came against the backdrop of a media and entertainment industry undergoing changes in consumption patterns, with linear television, streaming, mobile and connected TV increasingly operating alongside one another.
FICCI FRAMES 2026 is being held under the theme India's Media Moment: Creating Value in an Age of Infinite Content. Vaz also highlighted the growth of digital media, connected TV, micro-dramas and content commerce, while calling for an industry environment that supports innovation and self-regulation.
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