#e4mExclusive:  MIB halts all BARC TV ratings until licence renewal under new TRP policy

India's television audience measurement ecosystem is headed for an unprecedented shutdown, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directing the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to withhold ratings across both news and non-news genres until its licence is renewed and the ratings body becomes fully compliant with the Television Ratings Policy, 2026, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move effectively renders BARC's ratings operations inactive until the ministry completes the renewal process under the new regulatory framework, extending the uncertainty that has already gripped broadcasters, advertisers and media agencies following the suspension of news ratings earlier this year.

The latest directive broadens the scope of the ratings freeze beyond news television, meaning BARC will not publish audience measurement data for any television genre until it satisfies the ministry's licensing and compliance requirements, sources said. The development marks the most significant disruption to India's television ratings system since BARC began publishing weekly audience estimates.

The directive stems from provisions of the Television Ratings Policy, 2026, which mandate that existing television ratings agencies must comply with the revised guidelines before generating or publishing ratings. Clause 14.2 of the policy explicitly states that no rating agency shall generate and publish ratings until it complies with the provisions of the new framework.

The ministry had earlier notified the Television Ratings Policy, 2026, replacing the 2014 framework with a significantly tighter regulatory architecture aimed at improving transparency, governance and accountability in audience measurement. The policy introduced stricter board governance norms, enhanced audit requirements, security clearances, expanded metered-home obligations and new compliance mechanisms.

BARC had subsequently applied for renewal of its television ratings licence after the MIB extended the compliance window for existing audience measurement agencies from 30 days to 60 days. The application followed industry consultations between BARC, the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during which broadcasters flagged practical concerns over implementing the revised framework within the original timeline.

Industry executives said BARC's existing registration had expired and renewal remains subject to the ministry's approval under the new policy regime.

The revised policy initially required existing agencies to register within 30 days of notification while simultaneously prohibiting publication of ratings until compliance was achieved. Following industry representations, the ministry relaxed several provisions, including reducing the mandatory proportion of independent directors on the board from 50% to 33%, extending timelines for deployment of 80,000 people meters and shifting the establishment survey cycle from annual to once every three years.

Despite these relaxations, sources said the ministry has now made it clear that ratings cannot resume until BARC's licence renewal process is completed and the agency is deemed fully compliant with the amended regulatory framework.

The development creates fresh uncertainty for broadcasters that rely on weekly audience data to benchmark performance, determine advertising rates and evaluate programming strategies. Media buyers and advertisers also use BARC data extensively for campaign planning, post-buy evaluation and television investment decisions.

The suspension comes at a time when India's television industry is already adapting to sweeping structural reforms in audience measurement. The new policy requires ratings agencies to operate under enhanced governance standards, undertake regular internal and external audits, maintain greater transparency around methodologies and ownership structures, publish complaint redressal statistics, and comply with periodic inspections by the ministry.

The framework also empowers the government to impose graded penalties for violations, ranging from temporary suspension of ratings to cancellation of registration for repeated non-compliance.

For broadcasters, the absence of ratings across all television genres is expected to complicate advertising negotiations, programming assessments and competitive benchmarking until the regulatory process concludes.

BARC did not comment on the development.