Nov 04, 2026 4:28pm IST
Will BARC and TRPs Shutdown? Industry Reflects On ‘Unfortunate, Demotivating’ Impasse
General entertainment channels (GECs) have been relying on numbers shared by digital rating agencies like Ormax ever since the TRP blackout. It has been more than five months but broadcasters are still in ambiguity about the future of BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) and TRPs (Television Rating Points) resuming. Earlier this week, reports suggested that BARC might shut down soon, impacting the jobs of 1,500 people who work as part of its operations. This could further impact media buying in the festive season for broadcasters.
Variety India reached out to Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharti who is also a director in Indian Digital & Broadcasting Foundation. Stating that he is unaware of the report of BARC’s impending shutdown, he says, “This is a ministry-level matter. Whatever decision is taken will be conveyed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). I am not aware of this speculation around BARC.”
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Producer Kinnari Mehta who has bankrolled serials like “Gathbandhan,” “Maddam Sir,” “Shorr,” “Mata Ki Mahima” and others feel that this is an unfortunate development. She notes, “The industry, too, has been hearing about the shutting down of BARC. It is very demotivating as the TRP ratings gave producers an idea on how their tracks were faring. It was a barometer of how one’s serial connects with the audience. I feel it will not impact the commissioning of new shows as a producer who knows the audience’s pulse will survive and succeed.” She further highlights how BARC numbers were a kind of insight into what the audience loved and this might affect recce for new shows or concepts.
However, some are still hopeful that things will sort out for the better. Producer Rahul Tewary of “Udne Ki Aasha” and “Ram Bhavan” fame shares that the fraternity is anticipating the best possible outcome. He says, “Some sections are speculating that TRP ratings might resume in the first three months of 2027. The blackout has extended more than what was expected but some things are just out of control.” The MIB had directed BARC to suspend publication of TRPs until it expands its measurement panel to 80,000 metered homes and excludes landing page viewership from official ratings along with other changes. The body is hoping to meet the target of 80,000 homes by December but is yet awaiting the clearance to publish the ratings.
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Quite a few new shows have been launched in the past two months and more are in the anvil. Fahmaan Khan whose serial “Shubh Shagun Shehnaiyan,” is soon going to air on a leading GEC opines, “I have not heard about BARC shutting down. I feel we are operating in a very challenging period as actors, producers and broadcasters. The Indian television industry is a huge employment generator and the Government should step in for a speedy resolution.”
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