Television Rating Point

The recent amendments proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies (2014) are aimed at making the Television Rating Point (TRP) system more reflective of the diverse and evolving media consumption habits of Indian viewers.

What is a Television Rating Point (TRP)?

Television Rating Point (TRP) is a metric that measures the popularity and viewership of television programs. It helps assess:

• How many viewers are watching a particular program.

  The duration of time viewers spend watching specific programs.

  How popular a program is relative to others.

Key Points about TRP:

• Higher TRP: A higher number of viewers translates to a higher TRP for a program.

  Advertiser Influence: Advertisers use TRP ratings to decide where to place their ads. Channels with higher TRPs attract more advertising revenue.

  Investor Decisions: TRPs are also used by investors to make decisions about funding and investing in programs or channels.

How is TRP Calculated in India?

In India, TRP is calculated by BARC India (Broadcast Audience Research Council), using a combination of technologies and sampling methods:

1. BAR-O-meters (People Meters):

• BARC India installs BAR-O-meters (a type of "people meter") in the televisions of selected households.

• 58,000+ Impanelled Households: The meters are installed in over 58,000 households across the country to ensure a diverse sample.

• Viewership Tracking: The people meters track which TV channel or program is being watched by the family members. The data is collected in real-time.

2. Data Extrapolation:

• The data from these selected households is extrapolated to estimate the viewership of the entire population.

• This allows for an estimation of what the viewership trends would look like for a larger audience, based on a sample size.

3. Picture Matching:

• In addition to the people meters, picture matching is also used.

• The people meter records a small portion of the image being watched on the TV. This data is later analyzed to determine the program being watched.

4. Weekly TRP Results:

• BARC India releases weekly TRP results every Thursday, ranking TV channels and programs based on their viewership data.

Implications of the Proposed Amendments to TRP Policy Guidelines

The Ministry's proposed amendments aim to address the following evolving needs:

1. Reflect Changing Media Consumption Patterns:

   • The current TRP system may not fully capture the shift in viewership habits. Digital streaming, OTT platforms, and mobile viewership have drastically changed how people consume content. The amendments may integrate these new consumption patterns into the TRP system.

2. More Accurate Representation of Diverse Audiences:

   • India's diverse population and regional preferences require a more nuanced approach to understanding viewership. The changes could make the system more representative of the multi-lingual and multi-regional nature of Indian television.

3. Improved Transparency and Fairness:

   • The TRP system has faced criticism for being susceptible to manipulation. The amendments may address concerns related to transparency and accuracy, ensuring that the TRP ratings better reflect the true preferences of viewers.

4. Adapting to Technological Advancements:

   • With the advent of smart TVs, streaming services, and mobile apps, more integrated methods of tracking viewership may be introduced, including using digital data.

5. Incorporating Behavioral Insights:

   • A move towards incorporating behavioral insights and more detailed demographic data might help in understanding why viewers watch certain content, not just what they watch.

Conclusion:

The proposed amendments to the TRP Policy Guidelines are expected to address the growing need for a modernized and fair system that accommodates changing viewing habits and technological advances. As India moves into an era where digital content consumption is surging, this update will be pivotal in ensuring that advertisers, broadcasters, and viewers receive more accurate and representative data about television viewership.