News Broadcasting

Pay broadcasters given some more time to announce rates

Published

23 years ago

June 10, 2003

NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: The government today offered a significant concession to the pay broadcasters on the issue of their channel pricing by giving them some more time to announce rates.

It may be recalled that I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier said that broadcasters should have their pay channel pricing mechanism in place by 10 June so as to facilitate the cable service providers announcing their rate cards by the 15 June deadline.

Information and broadcasting ministry secretary Pawan Chopra told journalists after a meeting with broadcasters today evening, “We have had a discussion with broadcasters and they have requested that they need two to three days more to discuss the issue with MSOs and their associates. Since we are trying to facilitate a decision making process, we have not set a deadline for them…but I have been assured they will announce their pricing as early as possible.”

Having been given that concession, current indications are that a few days on the other side of 15 June is the period that most broadcasters are now looking at to announce the prices of individual channels so that the MSOs can then publicise the prices for the consumers’ benefit.

Talking to indiantelevision.com, Star India COO Sameer Nair said, “We are aware of the 15 June deadline (on announcement of prices of pay channels) and we will publicise the prices soon.” Asked specifically when does Star expect to publicise the prices of individual channels, Nair replied, “By 16-17 June.”

SET India CEO Kunal Dasgupta had told indiantelevision.com prior to today’s meeting that the channel pricing details were being worked out and that he expected it to be ready around about the 15 June deadline.

Subhash Chandra’s Zee Telefilms has maintained that its bouquet would cost Rs 55 but has yet to publicise individual channel rates.

Nair also said that they have “several options” on pricing of channels, but would like to sit together with all stakeholders of the industry to discuss the issue. “There are several options (and) we need to sit down with fellow broadcasters and MSOs (to thrash out the pricing matter),” he explained, adding, “We are trying to come up with a plan that will benefit all.”

Zee Telefilms additional vice-chairman Jawahar Goel sounded more strindent when he said, “We took the lead on pricing in a post-CAS regime, but the others have not yet taken any step in that direction. Now, we will wait for others to announce their prices. Let them also come out with some figures.”

ESPN India’s country head Manu Sawhney, of course, saw no problems for broadcasters. “There are no problems that are worrying us (broadcasters),” he said in reply to a question as to what are the issues that are still bothering the broadcasters, or some of them at least.

However, according to some of those who attended today’s meeting, during the closed door meeting Chopra made it clear to representatives of all broadcasters in no uncertain terms that the government would tolerate no delays in implementation of CAS and that they should announce the prices of pay channels ASAP.

Still, experts pointed out that the government does not seem to have much options on the matter vis-a-vis the broadcasters and would find it difficult to make a broadcaster toe the CAS line if that particular company decided to play truant. That is why, the experts explained, the notifications issued by the government refer directly to cable operators and make them responsible for almost everything, while referring to broadcasters only indirectly.

Meanwhile, when Chopra was asked about the softening in stance of the government vis-a-vis broadcasters — despite I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad lashing out against critics and opponents of CAS — the secretary said, “The idea is to let everybody come out with a transitional plan that will be beneficial for the consumer.”

The meeting, which lasted almost two hours during which several rounds of tea were served, could not be termed a stormy one, but the waiting journalists outside Chopra’s office in Shastri Bhawan in Delhi did get glimpses of some glum faces.

Others who attended today’s meeting included additional secretary (broadcasting) I&B ministry Vijay Singh, Doordarshan director-general SY Quraishi, Sony Entertainment TV India’s distribution head Shantonu Aditya, Television Eighteen Ltd’s MD Raghav Bahl and TV-18’s CEO Haresh Chawla.

According to Chopra, the broadcasters also have no problem with the notification that disallows bundling of channels so that the consumer has the freedom to choose a channel of his choice without any pressure to get add-ons too.

STAR SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON ZEE’S HITS:
The Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star India has sought clarifications from the partner-turned-competitior Subhash Chandra’s ZeeTelefilms on the headend in the sky project before deciding whether Star channels would be offered on Zee’s HITS platform or not.

“They had written to us (on HITS) and we have sought some clarification from Zee on uplinking of channels and such issues, but have got no reply yet from them,” Nair responded, when asked by indiantelevision.com whether Star India is willing to join a HITS platform promoted by Zee.

According to Nair, the clarification was sought some one month back.

“Unless we get a clarification on such issues (HITS would entail re-uplinking channels from India after being encrypted at a master facility of the service provider), I cannot say whether Star would join a HITS platform or not,” Nair said.

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News Broadcasting

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

Published

1 month 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 month 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 month 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.