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Former CEC SY Quraishi Exposes TRP Scam

Former CEC SY Quraishi Exposes TRP Scam
In his new book, former CEC SY Quraishi recounts discovering a TRP scam while running Doordarshan · scroll.in

SY Quraishi, a former CEC and director general of Doordarshan, has written about discovering a TRP scam in his new book.

The TRP scam involves manipulating viewership data to make Doordarshan appear less popular than it actually is.

This manipulation leads to unfair advertising revenue distribution.

Quraishi explains that the TRP measurement system is flawed and that households participating in the measurement are incentivized with gifts and appliances, leading to biased data.

He also mentions that the system has not improved much over the years, despite technological advancements.

Quraishi's efforts to expose the scam were met with resistance from the media industry.

Key facts

Author
SY Quraishi
Book Title
India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir
Publisher
Hachette India
TRP Scam Year
2020
Doordarshan's Reach
35 of the top 50 programmes
DD National's Prime-Time News Viewership
92%
Cable and Satellite Homes TRP Share
2–3%
Terrestrial Broadcasting Households
50%
Current TRP Measurement Households
58,000
Total Television Households
230 million

Quotes

SY Quraishi

Former Director General of Doordarshan and author of the book

“"The data card was collected twice a week by a worker from a data and market research firm. When I asked whether households were paid, he initially denied it. Later, over tea and samosas, he admitted the truth: households received inducements, pressure cookers, dining sets, and small appliances. Later, even a TV set."”
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“"I fought a lone battle. I met media buyers, showed them the data, and explained how they were being systematically cheated. They listened politely. Some even nodded. But the system was too profitable for too many. The fraud continued, blessed by silence."”
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Sources

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