News Broadcasting

What the second Covid2019 wave means for Maharashtra

Published

5 years ago

April 5, 2021

New Delhi: The unabated increase in the number of Covid2019 cases has once again threatened to stall the pace of the financial and entertainment capital of the country. As Maharashtra reported 57,074 positive cases in the last 24 hours, the Shiv Sena-led coalition government has announced strict restrictions all over the state, including Mumbai, till 30 April.

The rules, which come into effect on Monday, include a night curfew from 8 pm to 7 am and a complete lockdown over the weekends from 8 pm on Fridays to 7 am on Mondays. Except for essential services, everything will be closed on weekends.

The government has banned any kind of gathering of five or more throughout the day. Industrial operations and construction activity will continue, however, all the malls, restaurants, bars, gyms, sports complexes, auditoriums, and places of worship will be closed. Schools, colleges, private classes too will remain shut except for students of Class 10th and 12th. E-commerce will be allowed from 7 am to 8 pm for home delivery only if the staff is vaccinated, or else the establishment will be fined Rs 1,000.

Cinema halls shut, shoots to continue

The state government has permitted the film and television shoots to continue under strict guidelines, to enable the entertainment industry to get back on its feet. However, it will have to battle the severe consequences of complete closure of theatres, cinema halls, and multiplexes which were already working under 50 per cent capacity since mid-March.

The restrictions could land a serious blow to the entertainment industry, which not only faces an imminent loss of theatrical revenues but an impending threat to its revival plans. Another lockdown could compel filmmakers and production studios to reconsider their intent to release films in cinemas this summer, which may ultimately head to streaming. However, it can’t be denied that certain curbs are required, with film personalities engaged in active projects falling prey to the deadly virus. Actors Akshay Kumar, Govinda, TV host Aditya Narayan (part of the current season of Indian Idol) were among the increasing number of celebrities who tested positive on Sunday.

Cinema halls, which were already struggling to lure audiences back to theatres, could face an uphill task, as the sudden surge, is likely to make the public apprehensive about cinema-going. Advertising in cinema halls will also take a beating, as the restrictions come into effect. It may also slow down consumer spending during the weekends, due to the closure of malls.

Maharashtra accounts for the largest percentage of screen share for companies like PVR Cinemas, which has 140 screens in the state.

Meanwhile, the television producers and broadcasters were left guessing how they would keep shooting their episodes with curfew being imposed between 8 pm and 7 am. Additionally, there was a lack of clarity whether they would be able to film on Saturdays and Sundays with Thackeray declaring a total lockdown. For some time now, the former have been beseeching creative professionals in television channels to not insist on plugging in wedding and mass gathering scenes in episodes on account of the increasing cases in the state. Apparently, the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) is slated to seek clarifications from the government.

Vaccination, IPL provides a glimmer of hope

The ongoing vaccination drive has provided a glimmer of hope. As many as 3.44 crore people have been vaccinated in the country so far. On Sunday, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said the state’s focus is going to be on the vaccination drive and it would need 25 crore vaccines for its people. “At a time like this, when cases are rising, ‘life first and work later’ needs to be the priority,” he urged people.

But how long it will take to vaccinate enough people to decelerate the rise in infections, no one can say. Till then, it remains certain that the entertainment industry might keep hemming and hawing for the coming weeks, as the government deliberates upon its next step.

On the bright side, the return of the fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the home ground is likely to boost the morale of the advertising industry and provide an uptick in revenue. The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained that it will stick to its initial schedule and is confident of pulling off the matches in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, despite ten members of the ground staff testing positive. Mumbai is slated to host ten matches of the cash-rich league. However, Hyderabad is being discussed as a backup venue option. A few players including Axar Patel also tested positive on Sunday.

Lockdown on the weekends could possibly prove to be a boon in disguise for the television industry, especially while the IPL is underway, as the daily streaming and TV viewing could go up during the two days when people will have to remain at home. A significant number of IPL matches are scheduled on weekends.

Biggest single-day spike ever

India breached a grim milestone on Monday, with 1.01 lakh Coronavirus infections being reported for the first time in the country. Ten states contribute to 90 per cent of the total cases, led by Maharashtra which currently accounts for around 58 per cent of the total Covid2019 caseloads in the country. The active number of infected cases in the state stands at four lakh, while the fatalities have mounted to 55,656.

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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.