Jul 03, 2026 11:30am IST
TRPs Suspended: Indian Television Industry On The Shocking Development (EXCLUSIVE)
Fans of Indian TV serials have been stripped of their bragging rights after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a directive to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend publication of TV ratings until the body renews its license under the new TV Ratings Policy, 2026. The overnight move has taken many TV producers by surprise, as they expected it after August 2026. Variety India speaks to a few producers to gauge the industry’s reactions to this sudden directive.
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Immediate Impact on broadcasters’
The TRP ratings affect both the economics and the creative aspects of shows. While it affects broadcasters’ revenue, it also indicates whether the audience has liked a particular story track. Mahendra Soni, Co-founder and Director, Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF), which produces Bengali and Hindi TV shows for major broadcasters, opines, “TRPs going away affects everyone, but not equally. Large broadcasters will manage their relationships with advertisers and sponsors; their relationships go beyond numbers. Independent networks will feel it more. As for content, writers and creators have always worked around ratings data. Now they’ll just have to trust the room a little more.”
Writer Gajra Kottary, whose famous shows include “Balika Vadhu,” “Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka” and “Molkki,” to name a few, feels this will add to the uncertainty. She elaborates, “This development took the entire fraternity by surprise. It might seem like a relief of sorts, as TV writers are always under immense pressure, but it means a lot of guesswork. I do not feel this matter will be stretched for long, as such stand-offs have happened before. Everyone is hopeful that things will sort out soon. I feel it is too early to rejoice.”
There’s been a lot of discussion about a new system that would form ratings based on television viewership and streaming numbers. The new system was supposed to be effective from September 2026. Producer Rahul Tewary of “Udne Ki Aasha,” “Ram Bhavan” and “Jagadhatri” fame, says, “This has come as an absolute surprise. We had no inkling of this development. Everyone knew that a digital and TV numbers amalgamation would take place later in 2026. Producers need to wait and watch what happens over the next few days or weeks.”
Broadcasters’ Call
Several new shows have come on air recently. Tewary believes this development won’t impact new launches in the coming weeks. “I feel channels will go ahead with shows whose promos went on air with dates. But it is ultimately the broadcasters’ call. For a producer, who has just released a show, it is a bit stressful. The TRPs are a yardstick to measure how the show is faring, so this is disadvantageous for a maker who has just released a show,” he explains.
A Step In The Right Direction
Abhimanyu Singh, founder, Contiloe Entertainment, shares that the ratings system needed an overhaul for a while now. “I believe that a change needs to happen. Many TV shows are watched on streaming platforms because of the convenience they offer. In the US, the Total Audience Measurement (TAM) system has been used since 2011. I feel the industry needs to take a step in the right direction to count the numbers,” says Singh.
Writer Siddharth Dey, who has been a part of reality shows like “Indian Idol,” “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,” and the ongoing “Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar,” believes that TRP ratings lost their sheen years ago. He states, “I feel TRPs do not matter. There are so many shows that are on air despite low TRPs. Also, the fact that shows that are low on scale and content are thriving is also proof that numbers do not matter. Today, the shows that run are ones with backing from sponsors.”
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