Consultation Paper on Policy Guidelines for Television Audience Measurement (TAM)/ Television Rating Points (TRP)

Reliability of audience measurement reports both from the perspective of viewers and competitive relations between broadcasters have been of concern to the Regulators in most countries. Internationally, countries have largely come up with self-governing, not-for-profit institutions drawing membership from both advertisers and broadcasters that are responsible for, inter- alia, administering a reliable system of accreditation for broadcast audience measurement services. Ratings agencies are not allowed to be members of such bodies. Should this model be followed in our country as well; should there be an oversight body or should the TRP ratings and rating agencies be governed by some Standards prescribed and monitored by the regulating bodies? This consultation paper raises these issues and others relating to policy framework surrounding the TRP ratings and ratings agencies. The stakeholders are requested to send their comments and views preferably in the electronic form on the various issues mentioned in the paper by 21 April 2008. In case of any clarification / information, please contact Smt. Sadhana Dikshit, Pr. Advisor (FA & IFA), Tel.No.+91-11-23221856, Fax: +91-11-23235249 or e-mail at stsadhanadikshit@trai.gov.in or shekharjao@gmail.com