#e4mExclusive:  Not violated TRP Policy 2026: GTPL tells MIB, seeks meeting

GTPL Hathway has conveyed to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that it does not believe it has violated the Television Rating Policy, 2026, and has sought a meeting with the Ministry to understand the basis of the regulatory action against its Return Path Data (RPD)-based television viewership measurement initiative.

The company is seeking clarity on the specific provisions under which the Ministry has flagged non-compliance and wants to understand what corrective measures, if any, are required to resolve the matter.

The development follows the Ministry's direction to GTPL Hathway to stop publishing television viewership ratings generated through its RPD-based measurement framework. Following the communication, the company took down the television ratings data from its platform.

e4m was first to report the development.

MIB directs GTPL Hathway to stop publishing TV ratings

However, GTPL's position is that its initiative is not in violation of the provisions of the new TRP Policy, 2026. The company believes that the policy provides room for distribution platform operators (DPOs) to publish viewership information relating to channels carried on their respective platforms.

Policy permits DPOs to publish viewership data

At the centre of GTPL's position is Clause 14.3 of the Television Rating Policy, 2026, notified by the government on March 27, 2026.

The provision explicitly states that TV Distribution Platforms and OTT platforms may publish periodic viewership data of broadcasters and channels being played on their platforms on their respective websites, without obtaining registration or permission under the guidelines.

GTPL Hathway launches TV measurement framework. Read earlier report

The provision creates a distinction between registered television rating agencies, which are subject to regulatory registration, operational and audit requirements, and distribution platforms that publish viewership information generated from their own ecosystems.

GTPL is understood to be relying on this provision while seeking clarity from the Ministry on why its RPD-based television measurement initiative has attracted regulatory scrutiny.

An industry stakeholder tracking the developments said, "The policy specifically provides an enabling provision for distribution platforms to publish periodic viewership data. The important question is how the Ministry is interpreting this provision in the context of GTPL's initiative and whether there are additional conditions that the company needs to fulfil."

TAM’s RPD push for MSOs. Read here

The distinction is particularly relevant as the new policy seeks to strengthen the regulatory framework governing television audience measurement while also allowing multiple platforms to make their own viewership information available.

GTPL's RPD initiative and the regulatory concerns

GTPL Hathway launched its television audience measurement initiative in October, positioning it as an additional source of television consumption insights for broadcasters, advertisers and media agencies.

The framework used data from more than 10,000 RPD-enabled set-top boxes spread across over 200 towns and approximately 3,000 PIN codes. The company had also outlined plans to expand its sample to around 50,000 households.

The initiative covered close to 1,000 television channels and was designed to provide insights into channel performance, viewing patterns and audience behaviour.

The Ministry's intervention has now raised questions about the scope of the exemption available to DPOs under the new policy, particularly when platform-generated data is presented in the form of television ratings.

While Clause 14.3 permits DPOs to publish periodic viewership data, the policy also lays down a separate compliance framework for registered television rating agencies. The interpretation of how these provisions apply to different forms of audience measurement is therefore central to the ongoing discussion.

Another cable industry stakeholder said, "There is a need for regulatory clarity on what constitutes platform-level viewership data and what falls within the definition of television ratings. If DPOs are permitted to publish periodic data, the industry needs to understand the boundaries between the two, particularly when such information is used by broadcasters and advertisers."

Company awaits clarity before resuming publication

GTPL has taken down the television viewership data following the Ministry's direction and is understood to be awaiting further clarity before deciding on its next course of action.

The company is seeking a direct interaction with the Ministry to understand the specific grounds for the alleged violation and identify a way forward. Its position is that taking down the data following the directive should not be interpreted as an admission of regulatory non-compliance.

The digital data component of its broader measurement framework has continued to remain available, while the television viewership ratings component has been withdrawn.

The outcome of the proposed meeting could determine whether GTPL needs to make changes to its reporting methodology, presentation or publication framework before resuming the initiative.

For the wider television industry, the issue goes beyond GTPL Hathway. With the television ratings ecosystem facing disruption following the suspension of BARC ratings, platform-level viewership information has emerged as an alternative source of audience insights.

The interpretation of Clause 14.3 could therefore have implications for other cable, DTH and OTT platforms looking to make their own viewership data available.

For now, GTPL is seeking an opportunity to place its interpretation of the policy before the Ministry and understand the regulatory concerns. The company maintains that its initiative is consistent with the provisions of the TRP Policy, 2026, and is looking for clarity from the regulator to resolve the matter.