News Broadcasting

2014: Industry hopes high

Published

12 years ago

December 31, 2013

MUMBAI: A year of risks and several speed breakers has come to an end and the horizons of the New Year are already showing a silver lining. Every member of the media and entertainment industry in the country is expecting magical spells to be cast in 2014. Let’s look at what to anticipate from the next 12 months.

Starting with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) the eagerly awaited forecast is that phase I and II of Digital Addressable System (DAS) are completed without any obstructions or delays. And phases III and IV flow smooth like silk so that India can boast of a digitised environment by the next New Year (2015).

Broadcasters are expected to follow content norms as well as invest more in creating better content. With general elections coming up, channels are set to heat up their mercury levels to prove who is the best in the genre. Prasar Bharati is getting Rs 3,500 crore funding from the MIB which should enable modernisation of the pubcaster with high quality production and better quality shows as well as yield more revenues and profit.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has had a tough time this year dealing with the multi-system operators (MSOs), local cable operators (LCOs), direct-to-home (DTH) players, aggregators and broadcasters. With the year seeing too many conflicts between all the players of the industry, TRAI will surely want that all the stakeholders to find solutions. The regulator will also hope for smooth role out of DAS phase III and IV and gross billing to begin for phase I and II.

The regulator that recently came out with a consultation paper to curb monopoly of MSOs will be looking at curtailing excessive power clout and monopolies in every sector of television – cable TV, content aggregation and broadcasting.

Moreover, TRAI will hope that all that it started in 2013 sees light in 2014. One such initiative is the acceptance of the ad cap regulation by all broadcasters. It would also hope that the quality of service for TV viewers is consistently kept in mind by broadcasters. Last, but not the least, it would also want that the new regulations for DTH licences are passed.

Broadcasters are the happiest of the lot as they see better revenues flowing in the next year as digitisation pans out across India. Channels will be embroiled in acquiring or producing new innovative shows that will give them an edge over their competitors. Generating better TVTs either through new shows or hit movies that will help them dislodge the leader. Broadcasters are seeing much potential in the soon to be launched new rating system Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) which is expected to show their performances in true light.

However, nothing is as eagerly awaited as the fate of the ad cap that is currently hanging mid air with the Delhi High Court. Even as some broadcasters are more than happy with the 12 minute advertising air time limit, most of them feel it is a hindrance to their functioning and will hamper their revenues if put to effect before digitisation is complete. At the same time they are also looking forward to strike better deals with their advertisers as well as better syndication for their programmes in the international market providing them a global exposure.

As digitisation sets in, distribution should also be easier and transparent. Even as channels will engage with domestic DTH and cable TV platforms for better carriage and revenue share deals, they will look forward to reaching out to more audiences through international platforms.

Bottomlines will be managed better as broadcasters will control their costs by trimming their staff, scaling up their programming, enhancing distribution and controlled marketing. With several TV channel licenses being stuck with the MIB, new channels are waiting to see the light of the day in 2014.

The cable TV sector which has undergone immense change in 2013, will surely expect great returns in the coming year. One thing which they will be hoping for is internet on cable TV to spread thereby generating VAS revenues. Their long wish list will also include reduction in import duties on STBs, preferably subsidies from the government for promoting digitisation, higher ARPUs from consumers, better synchronisation with other MSOs, fair entertainment and service tax – preferably service tax holidays, fair charges for usage of public utilities for distribution, higher carriage fees from broadcasters, lower content costs from broadcasters and aggregators and longer licensing norms from I&B. The year also witnessed a few announcements by the MSOs for acquiring content for their cable channels. These MSOs will hope that the venture is successful and helps them reap benefits with better revenue flow.

On the DTH front, operators have high hopes that the tag of having the lowest ARPUs in the world will fade away as higher ARPUs will flow in. The dream is that content costs will be lowered which will help them generate better revenue as well as invest in getting innovative technologies for the future of TV and mobile.

Digitisation for DTH players means high net addition of subscribers and lower churn in 2014 as some subscribers will shift from cable TV to the DTH platform. Leading players want to offer better packages to their subscribers with more availability of channel which can only come with more capacity bandwidth that is in the hands of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

At the production front, 2013 wasn’t really big on experiments; at least as far as TV shows are concerned. Only a few like the adaptation of the international format – 24, the reality show Connected Hum Tum and Comedy Nights with Kapil made some difference in programming. As we usher in to the New Year, we obviously expect more newness in the shows produced. But for that, the production houses need to get respite from the issues that keep bothering them.

One of the major issues that cripple the production houses is the restrictions by broadcasters on the budget per episode. And then, it is for sure that the production houses in the New Year would wish for a better budget approval from the broadcasters. Another issue is the ever-rising demands of the crew unions, including the technicians and other crew members. The crew members have not just been fighting for a raise in their salary but have demanded many other privileges that have kept the production houses on their toes. Because of this, some production houses prefer working outstation than in Mumbai in order to cut down on costs.

The year 2013 witnessed a really interesting case — there was a huge hoopla when an actor portraying the popular character, Gutthi (from Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors) decided to pull out of the show over few differences with the production house and the channel. While the actor said the right to the character belonged to him, the production house thought otherwise. By the end of the year, nobody got a clear picture about who really owned the character. However, we hope the New Year doesn’t just bring clarity to this particular case but the industry also works in order bring a system in place about the entire intellectual property rights (IPR).

The wish list for the New Year would never end. But some of the other desires that the production houses perish include better following of discipline by the actors on the set, better creative people with improved ideas that grabs the eyeballs, less interference from broadcasters in the production process and of course, many more new and intriguing shows that not only brings more viewers but good business that would improve the functioning of entire industry.

The expectations are high but they aren’t too farfetched. With time, discussions and a little bit of a push we can see much of it becoming a reality.

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.