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Tag: BARC India

  • Siddarth Shahani joins IN10 Media Network as head of finance

    Siddarth Shahani joins IN10 Media Network as head of finance

    MUMBAI: IN10 Media Network has appointed Siddarth Shahani as head of finance. A chartered accountant with more than 24 years in the trade, Shahani will take charge of the network’s holding company and five subsidiaries.

    He moves from Barc India, where as financial controller he ran a 15-member team overseeing billing, treasury, taxation and payables. There, he drove compliance, streamlined processes, secured better foreign exchange rates and steered a Big Four audit.

    His earlier stints include senior finance roles at Daymon, Laqshya Media Group, Tops Security, Landor and Siemens, along with audit tenures at EY, KPMG and PwC.

    Shahani, known for his hands-on style and process rigour, is expected to bring tighter controls and sharper strategy to IN10 Media’s expanding portfolio.

  • Gaurav Banerjee to chair CII media and entertainment council for 2025-26

    Gaurav Banerjee to chair CII media and entertainment council for 2025-26

    NEW DELHI:  Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has been named chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s national media and entertainment council for 2025-26. The move signals CII’s push to turbocharge the M&E sector’s global competitiveness with a focus on policy reform, skilling, tech-creative innovation and inclusive growth.

    Banerjee, who also chairs BARC India, steps into the role at a time when India’s media and entertainment engine is revving up to be a $100bn juggernaut—fuelled by AI, VFX, and a hungry Gen Z audience. His mandate? Drive trust, sharpen policy, and make “Create in India” the global gold standard.

    “At a time when the world is looking to India for inspiration, our M&E industry is uniquely positioned to reflect our cultural ethos while shaping global narratives,” said Banerjee. “We need frameworks that empower innovation, creative-tech and opportunity—without compromising trust or accountability.”

    As council chair, Banerjee will double down on four key levers:

    * Policy and regulation: Partnering with government to streamline norms, fight piracy, and foster a level playing field.
    * Tech meets creativity: Embracing AI, AR/VR and automation to supercharge content quality, personalisation and productivity.
    * Skill-building: Rolling out future-ready courses via the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies to upskill youth in animation, VFX and immersive storytelling.
    * Going global: Backing Indo-foreign co-productions and showcasing Indian stories to the world with tech muscle and cultural soul.

    The CII council under Banerjee will act as a bridge between industry, academia and government—taking on thorny issues like fair monetisation, content ethics, data privacy and equitable tech access. Expect sharp focus on regulating generative AI without stifling innovation.

    A filmmaker by training and former journalist at Aaj Tak, Banerjee brings over two decades of experience to the table. At SPNI, he has been the force behind bold content bets and digital pivots—balancing creative risk with fiscal discipline.

    His new role is likely to give India’s M&E sector the push it needs to move from scale to stature on the global stage.

  • Gaurav Banerjee takes the hot seat at BARC India

    Gaurav Banerjee takes the hot seat at BARC India

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) managing director & CEO, Gaurav Banerjee has been named chairman of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India. He replaces Shashi Sinha, whose two-year reign saw BARC go on a digital diet-adding smarter meters and deeper dives into premium households.

    Banerjee, who cut his teeth as a journalist before climbing the content ladder at Star India and Disney+ Hotstar, is no stranger to the BARC ecosystem. In 2022, he sat on its technical committee during his stint with Disney Star-where he helped bulk up Hotstar’s Hindi and regional original slate, making viewers binge and advertisers grin.

    At SPNI, Banerjee now drives the company’s strategy and operations, while juggling board roles at MSM-Worldwide Factual Media and Bangla Entertainment. Known for his editorial flair and boardroom savvy, his elevation to the BARC chair signals a continued bet on execs who straddle both streaming and broadcast worlds.

    He takes charge just as the lines between TV and digital blur, and advertisers cry out for unified currency metrics. Expect Banerjee to double down on transparency, turbocharge tech upgrades and push into under-measured markets. With over 20 years in media, a master’s in filmmaking from Jamia, and a nose for what India wants to watch, he seems well-placed to script BARC’s next act.

    Industry watchers will be looking to see if Banerjee sticks to Sinha’s reformist script—or flips the channel entirely. Either way, the remote is now firmly in his hands.

  • CNN-News18 grows its market share in English news market: Barc

    CNN-News18 grows its market share in English news market: Barc

    Mumbai: CNN-News18 has garnered 29 per cent market share in the in India urban plus rural AB 15+ segment, according to the data shared by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc).

    The channel also registered a share of 37.3 per cent in the English news market as per the data (TG+22 week 15-18’22). The channel was followed by Republic TV and Times Now at 28.7 per cent and 18.5 per cent share, respectively.

    “CNN-News18’s continuous run as the leader in the Barc rating is a testimony of the audience’s faith in the channel,” said the statement. “The channel’s viewership has gained viewership steadily because of the added focus on programming, along with broad-basing content to all geographies across the country.”

    (Source: Barc India, Market: India, TG AB15+, Full week (0200-2600 hrs), week 15-18’22

    Barc India, Market: India, TG: 22+, Monday-Friday [1800-2300 hrs], week 14-17’22 and week 15-18’22)

  • Republic TV, Republic Bangla lead in their respective markets during week 12: Barc

    Republic TV, Republic Bangla lead in their respective markets during week 12: Barc

    Mumbai: Republic Media Network’s English and Bangla news channels, Republic TV and Republic Bangla have reported 40.66 per cent market share (English news genre) and 28.28 per cent market share (West Bengal) for Week 12 (19-25 March), as per Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data.

    “Republic TV has continued its unbeaten run across all-time bands in the English news genre, Republic Bangla has unseated ABP Ananda, the two-decade-old news leader in the genre, as the Number 1 Bengali news channel,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

    The market leadership of Republic TV grew stronger during the 21:00-23:00 hour time band over the weekdays reporting a share of 44.36 per cent. “Republic TV has once again retained its supremacy in super prime time with a whopping 44.36 per cent viewership this week,” said the broadcaster.

    Furthermore, Republic Media Network’s Hindi news channel Republic Bharat had a market share of 17.32 per cent between the time band 19:00 to 20:00 hours on weekdays, according to Barc data.  Similarly, Republic Bangla also saw its market share increase in the time band 19:00 to 20:00 on weekdays to 30.54 per cent.

    “Republic Bangla has broken all records by unseating ABP Ananda strongly for the third consecutive week. Establishing itself as the decisive new news leader in the Bengali news genre, Republic Bangla has emerged as the number 1 in the Bengali news genre across all time bands,” said the broadcaster.

    “Republic Media Network has reached approximately 154 million last week alone and 266 million across India in a three-week period,” claims the broadcaster. This could not be independently verified by Indiantelevision.com.

    (Source: Barc data | 15+ | Period: Wk 12’22 | Market: English news genre, HSM and West Bengal)

  • Shashi Sinha takes over as new Barc India chairman

    Shashi Sinha takes over as new Barc India chairman

    Mumbai: IPG Mediabrands India CEO Shashi Sinha has been unanimously elected as the new chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India, following the board meeting held on Friday. 

    Sinha takes over from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD and CEO Punit Goenka, who served as Barc chairman for the last three years.

    Sinha, who also represents the Advertising Agencies Association of India as its board member, has played a key role in the formation of Barc, said the industry body in a statement.

    He is also actively involved in various industry bodies such as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI); past chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC); past president of The Ad Club; current chairman of Media Research Users Council (MRUC) and till very recently, before becoming a board member, was the first chairman of the technical committee of Barc India. 

    Sinha is also an honourable member of Facebook India Client Council.

    “I am excited to be given this opportunity as the chairman of Barc at a time when the industry is undergoing many changes and the measurement body continues to grow,” said Shashi Sinha. “Over the last decade, Barc has evolved to become a robust currency and developed into a strong base for decision making for all stakeholders. I look forward to continue working with the team at Barc and I am confident that together we will be able to add and bring in more value to the broadcast ecosystem.”

    “It has been a privilege to lead and serve Barc India as the chairman, for two terms. The organisation has indeed grown and progressed substantially since its inception,” commented Punit Goenka. “I would like to welcome Shashi as he takes the helm of an industry-critical operation in a fast-changing landscape. I am sure that Barc India will soar to newer heights under his guidance. I also wish Nakul and the team at Barc all the very best.”

    “It gives us great pleasure to welcome Sinha as our new chairman. He is recognised for his deep understanding of the media industry, especially the broadcast sector and has been an integral part of Barc’s journey as well as India’s M&E industry,” stated Barc India CEO Nakul Chopra. “It was under his leadership that the Barc tech comm played a significant role in the formation of the world’s largest television measurement system. We look forward to working closely with him.” 

    Chopra further said, “We would like to thank Goenka, who has also been the founder chairman of Barc India, playing an instrumental role in setting up this measurement system. His strategic guidance and contribution made to Barc India, as its chairman for two tenures, has added immense value.”

  • Barc 13-week historical data shows Aaj Tak in the lead

    Barc 13-week historical data shows Aaj Tak in the lead

    Mumbai: The past 13 weeks historic data by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India indicates that news channel Aaj Tak was leading the Hindi-speaking market (HSM) (U+R) from week 49’2021 till week 10’2022 in terms of market share. Aaj Tak garnered 25.5 per cent of the market share amongst eight opt-in news channels that include TV9 Bharatvarsh, Republic Bharat, Zee News, News Nation, Zee Hindustan, DD News and India News.

    In the HSM Urban market, Aaj Tak’s lead was stronger as it garnered a market share of 27 per cent versus its nearest competitor TV9 at 20.7 per cent. The competition for eyeballs in the HSM Rural market was more intense with Aaj Tak at top with 23.2 per cent but with TV9 Bharatvarsh following closely at 22 per cent.

    Republic Bharat (20.8 per cent) and Zee News (15.6 per cent) were the only other channels whose market share was in double digits. The top four channels had 82.3 per cent share in the HSM market. However, it should be noted that historical Barc data does not include prominent news channels including India TV, News18 India, ABP News, Good News Today, News 24 and NDTV India who have opted out of past ratings. NDTV India has pulled out of ratings completely.

    Barc India has released data for individual news channels after a 17-month hiatus. The TV audience measurement agency had also agreed to release past 13 weeks data after consultation with industry stakeholders. 

    (Source: Barc; TG: 15+ NCCS All; Market: HSM; Period: Wk 49’2021-10’2022; 8 Opt-in Hindi News Channels)

    Barc; TG: 15+ NCCS All; Market: HSM Urban; Period: Wk 49’2021-10’2022; 8 Opt-in Hindi News Channels

    Barc; TG: 15+ NCCS All; Market: HSM Rural; Period: Wk 49’2021-10’2022; 8 Opt-in Hindi News Channels)

  • Barc to release data of individual channels from past 13 weeks

    Barc to release data of individual channels from past 13 weeks

    Mumbai: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India resumed ratings for individual news channels on Thursday. The TV audience rating agency also said that it will release data for the previous 13 weeks between Week 49, 2021 and Week 9, 2022 as Barc plans to start a new reporting standards. This data will be released over the next three working days.

    “Sensitive to the industry’s need for past data for informed and equitable decision making, and as advised, BARC India will also release data for the previous 13 weeks, only for the channels that have not chosen to opt-out from receiving this data, which will also be based on a four-week rolling average,” said the statement.

    Following an industry-wide consultation with the Barc management and Barc TechComm, the Augmented Data Reporting Standards for News and Special Interest genres will be developed.This will be released based on a four-week rolling average, every week.

    The subscribers to Barc will now have single login access to YUMI analytics, which will support accessing the audience’s estimates. However, there will not be any change in the weekly data release cadence.

    Barc India conducted webinars with industry stakeholders to discuss the new reporting standards. In addition, the detailed policy for reporting data is available on the official website of Barc.

    The process of reviewing data will provide an effective solution and a statistically sound ecosystem. It will help to bring changes in reporting standards for special interest genre channels.

  • Barc allows broadcasters to suspend channel data in updated policy

    Barc allows broadcasters to suspend channel data in updated policy

    Mumbai: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) has updated its policy for the release of a channel’s viewership data in March. As per the new policy, Barc can facilitate the suspension of individual channel data for a minimum period of six months on request from the broadcaster. 

    “The ratings for the suspended period will not be released publicly at any point in the future, even after the recommencement of the ratings,” as per the policy.

    Barc will also exercise its right to suspend the ratings of a channel in case of payment issues, non-renewal of subscription, or any other breach by the subscriber. The ratings of the suspended channel will only be released six months after the resolution of the issues that resulted in the discontinuation of services. The ratings during the suspended period will not be released publicly after recommencement of the channel ratings.

    However, Barc may continue to monitor and deliver playout monitoring of the channel to other YUMI subscribers without the viewership data.

    Barc India has stated that it requires a minimum period of four to eight weeks to perform the required technical checks and data validation before releasing a channel’s data publicly. Barc has also requested broadcasters to keep a significant lead time for the watermarking process which may take between eight to 12 weeks time.

     A channel can avail channel level viewership data provided by Barc but data that is provided prior to the public release of ratings of the channel is confidential and may be used for internal analysis only. Barc follows that Saturday to Friday week format and releases data publicly via the YUMI software every Thursday.

    Barc will no longer release data starting from midweek and broadcasters must inform Barc about the date from which the data is required to be released ten working days prior to the week of release. If Barc does not receive a request to release channel data in YUMI within 12 weeks of being watermarked, Barc India may stop monitoring the channel and capturing the viewership of the channel.

  • Barc reaching out broadcasters to inform about new reporting standards: I&B minister

    Barc reaching out broadcasters to inform about new reporting standards: I&B minister

    Mumbai: The minister of information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur told the Lok Sabha that the Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India is reaching out to all constituents to sufficiently inform and educate them about new augmented data reporting standards and would require eight weeks’ time to resume the reporting of individual news channels.

    In October 2020, Barc announced that it would cease publishing weekly individual ratings of news and niche genres for an initial period of 8-12 weeks. The I&B ministry directed Barc to maintain the status quo in February 2021 in view of alleged reports of manipulation of rating data and review the whole ecosystem of publishing of ratings.

    A committee was instituted under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati which made recommendations on strengthening corporate governance and bolstering technical oversight of the existing rating agency.

    “In the spirit of the recommendations of the above-said TRP Committee and Trai, various steps on corporate governance and on streamlining of processes and their transparency have been taken by Barc,” said Anurag Thakur. “The management involvement in the rating generation process has been institutionally removed. The Oversight and Technical Committees within Barc have been strengthened for data validation and methodology. The access protocols for data have also been revamped and tightened. Notwithstanding the existing processes put in place by Barc, reforms are a continuous process and policy prescriptions as may be required are made by the government from time to time.”

    “After review of the steps taken by Barc on corporate governance and on streamlining of processes and their transparency etc. Barc had been asked on 12 January to resume the release of the news ratings,” he added.