Ministry of Information and Broadcasting exploring options in place of current Broadcast Rating system?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) is exploring alternatives to the existing television audience measurement system to enhance transparency and accountability in the media sector. This move follows concerns over the manipulation of viewership data through landing-page placements, which artificially boost ratings. By reconsidering the inclusion of such metrics, the ministry aims to restore fairness in competition among broadcasters and ensure more credible audience insights. The MIB’s review process also seeks to identify more robust and technology-driven methods of data collection that accurately reflect viewer preferences. Industry stakeholders, including the News Broadcasters Federation, have welcomed the initiative as a long-awaited reform to strengthen trust in rating mechanisms. The ministry’s broader goal is to create a regulatory framework that promotes ethical practices, reduces market distortions, and aligns India’s media measurement standards with global best practices.