The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India to immediately withhold the reporting of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news TV channels for a further period of four weeks, or until further directions are issued.

The directive, dated May 6, was addressed to BARC India Chief Executive Officer Nakul Chopra and follows an earlier communication issued on March 31, 2026.

The latest order effectively extends the ongoing suspension of TRP ratings for news broadcasters, which has been in place as part of regulatory oversight measures by the government. While the advisory does not specify fresh reasons, it reiterates the ministry’s authority to regulate audience measurement systems in the interest of transparency and credibility.

Recently, after consultations with various stakeholders, new guidelines issued for BARC India included that landing page audience data for any TV channel, including news channels, should not be taken into account to determine TRPs. Landing page is the image one sees when a TV is switched on for linear TV viewing.

Landing pages have been now formally classified as a marketing tool only, delegitimising them as a source of audience measurement, which is aimed at rendering redundant alleged TRP manipulation. BARC India earlier this week started to ask broadcasters formally to disclose details about their channels’ appearance on a landing page.

Yesterday’s move by MIB is consistent with earlier interventions by the government in the functioning of BARC India, particularly concerning the rating of news channels.

In previous instances, the ministry had flagged concerns over alleged manipulation of TRP data and the need to strengthen the integrity of the ratings ecosystem. This had led to temporary suspensions and reviews of rating methodologies in the past.

BARC India, which is the country’s primary television audience measurement body, has periodically been asked to review its systems and protocols following such advisories. The suspension of news channels’ ratings has been seen as part of broader efforts to address systemic issues and restore confidence among stakeholders, including broadcasters, advertisers, and viewers.

The current extension indicates that the government’s review process remains ongoing, with further directions expected after the four-week period or earlier, depending on developments.