Archive · 6 Nov 2025
I&B Ministry Proposes TRP Measurement Panel Expansion and Stricter Rules
The government wants to make TV ratings more accurate.
They are proposing to use more people's TVs to measure what everyone is watching, almost doubling the number of homes included.
This helps make sure the ratings represent many different kinds of viewers.
They also want to make sure the companies that measure TV watching are not unfairly connected to TV channels or advertisers.
This means they can't own too much of each other's businesses.
They also said that just clicking on a TV channel's main page shouldn't count as watching, only actual show viewership should count.
This is to get a clearer picture of what people are really watching.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting proposes expanding the panel size for TRP measurement to 80,000 people meters within 18 months.
Existing TRP agencies must increase their panel size to 80,000 within six months.
Stricter conflict of interest provisions are introduced, preventing board members of rating agencies from being involved in broadcasting or advertising.
Cross-holding requirements are re-introduced, limiting substantial equity holding (20% or more) in rating agencies and broadcasters by single entities.
Landing page viewership will not be counted in viewership measurement and can only be used as a marketing tool.
- Who
- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
- What
- Proposing amendments to television rating agency guidelines, including expanding panel size, introducing stricter conflict of interest rules, and redefining viewership measurement.
- When
- Published on November 6, 2025, with a 30-day stakeholder feedback period.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enable fair competition, generate more accurate and representative data, and ensure the TRP system reflects diverse and evolving media consumption habits.
Ministry's Proposed Changes
Potential Concerns/Implications
Panel Size Expansion
Ministry's Proposed Changes
The Ministry proposes increasing the panel size for TRP measurement from 58,000 to 80,000 people meters within 18 months, with a further increase to 120,000 over time, to capture diverse viewing patterns.
Potential Concerns/Implications
Existing TRP agencies must increase their panel size to 80,000 within six months, which may pose a significant operational and financial challenge.
Conflict of Interest Provisions
Ministry's Proposed Changes
Sharper conflict of interest rules are proposed, stating that TRP agencies shall not have any conflict of interest with broadcasters and board members of rating companies cannot be involved in broadcasting, ad agencies, or advertising agencies.
Potential Concerns/Implications
The re-introduction of cross-holding requirements, defining substantial equity holding as 20% or more, aims to prevent significant influence of single entities in both rating agencies and broadcasters, potentially impacting current ownership structures.
Landing Page Viewership
Ministry's Proposed Changes
The Ministry proposes that landing page viewership should not be counted in viewership measurement, and landing pages can only be used as a marketing tool.
Potential Concerns/Implications
This change could impact how broadcasters utilize their platforms for promotion and may affect how viewership is perceived and reported.
- Ministry
- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
- Current Panel Size
- 58,000 people meters
- Proposed Panel Size
- 80,000 people meters within 18 months, increasing to 120,000
- Deadline for Existing Agencies
- Increase to 80,000 panel size within 6 months
- Cross-Holding Limit
- 20% or more substantial equity holding in rating agencies and broadcasters by a single entity
- Stakeholder Feedback Period
- 30 days