**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has notified the TV Rating Policy (TRP) 2026 to enhance the transparency, accountability, and credibility of audience measurement in India. Replacing the 2014 guidelines, the policy introduces eased entry norms, expanded sample sizes, and strict data protection requirements. Key deadlines include a scale-up to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months for new agencies and 6 months for existing ones.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Registration and Entry Norms**
* The minimum net worth requirement for registering as a TV rating agency has been reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore to encourage competition.
**Governance and Anti-Conflict Measures**
* At least 50% of an agency's Board of Directors must be Independent Directors with no ties to broadcasters or advertisers.
* Rating agencies are prohibited from providing consultancy services that could create conflicts of interest.
**Operational and Measurement Standards**
* Agencies must increase sample sizes to 80,000 metered homes initially, with a final target of 1,20,000 homes.
* Measurement must be technology-neutral, capturing data across all screens including Cable, DTH, OTT, and Connected TVs.
* Viewership from "Landing Pages" is strictly excluded from measurement and may only be used as a marketing tool.
**Transparency and Data Privacy**
* Agencies are required to publish their detailed methodology and anonymized data on their websites.
* All operations must comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
**Audit and Grievance Redressal**
* A mandatory dual-audit system is established, comprising quarterly internal audits and annual independent external audits.
* The Ministry will conduct periodic field inspections via an Audit & Oversight Team.
* Agencies must appoint a Nodal Officer to resolve complaints within 10 days and establish an Appellate Authority for disputes.
**Compliance and Penalties**
* Non-compliance will result in graded penalties, ranging from the temporary suspension of ratings to the total cancellation of registration.
* TV distribution and OTT platforms are permitted to publish periodic viewership data from their own platforms without requiring specific registration.
**Impact Analysis**
**TV Rating Agencies**
**Impact**
Agencies benefit from lower entry costs but face significantly higher operational standards, stricter audit requirements, and mandatory sample size expansions.
**Action Required**
Must scale operations to 80,000 metered homes within 6 to 18 months, implement dual-audit systems, and ensure all data processing is DPDP-compliant.
**Broadcasters**
**Impact**
Broadcasters can no longer use landing page viewership to inflate official rating measurements.
**Action Required**
Must disclose to rating agencies whether their channels are available on landing pages.
**TV Distribution and OTT Platforms**
**Impact**
These platforms gain the flexibility to publish their own periodic viewership data on their websites without seeking MIB registration.
**Action Required**
Ensure published viewership data is limited to the broadcasters and channels played on their specific platforms.
**Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB)**
**Impact**
The Ministry gains increased oversight through the new Audit & Oversight Team and the establishment of an Appellate Authority.
**Action Required**
Constitute an Audit & Oversight Team for periodic field inspections and monitor agency compliance with the new 2026 policy.
Key Entities Referenced
TV Rating Policy 2026: A comprehensive regulatory framework released to govern the registration, operation, and oversight of television audience measurement agencies in India.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB): The primary government regulator responsible for notifying the policy, overseeing rating agencies, and constituting the Audit & Oversight Team.
Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: A referenced legislative act that mandates strict compliance for TV rating agencies regarding data protection and viewer privacy.
Guidelines for TV Rating Agencies in India (2014): The previous policy document that is officially replaced and superseded by the TV Rating Policy 2026.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government Notifies TV Rating Policy (TRP) 2026
to Strengthen Transparency, Accountability and
Credibility of Television Audience Measurement
in India
Policy Excludes Landing Page Viewership from
Measurement; Limited to Use Only as a Marketing Tool
New Provisions Require Transparent Methodology
Disclosure; Mandates DPDP-Compliant Data Protection
Rating Policy Mandates Dual-Audit System; Aims to Enhance
Data Accuracy through Larger Sample Size
Government Eases Net Worth Norms for TV Rating Agencies;
Eligibility Criteria Reduced to Rs. 5 Crore from Rs. 20 Crore
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 6:37PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) today released the TV Ratings Policy 2026, which
sets out comprehensive guidelines for regulating television ratings in India. The policy defines clear
standards for the registration, operation, audit, and oversight of agencies providing TV rating services,
with the aim of ensuring transparency, independence and accountability in audience measurement.
Key Highlights of the Policy
Ease In Entry Norms: The net worth requirement for a company willing to register as TV rating
agency has been reduced from existing Rs. 20 Crores to 5 crores.
Strict Anti-Conflict Measures: To ensure neutrality, the Policy provides that at least 50% of the
Board of Directors must be Independent Directors with no ties to broadcasters
/advertisers/advertising agencies. Additionally, agencies are prohibited from engaging in
consultancy roles that could create conflicts of interest.
Enhanced Sample Size & Representative Data: To improve data accuracy, agencies must scale up
their operations to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months (6 months for existing rating agency),
eventually reaching 1,20,000 homes. Measurement must be technology-neutral, capturing data
across Cable, DTH, OTT, and Connected TVs. The data shall be captured from all the TV viewing
screens of the metered homes.
Transparency & Privacy: Agencies are required to publish their detailed methodology and
anonymized data on their websites. Furthermore, all operations must strictly comply with the DigitalPersonal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 to safeguard viewer privacy.
Accountability & Audits: A dual-audit system is now mandatory, featuring quarterly internal audits
and annual independent external audits. The Ministry will also constitute an Audit & Oversight
Team for periodic field inspections.
Grievance Redressal: Agencies must appoint a Nodal Officer to resolve complaints within 10 days
and establish an Appellate Authority for escalated disputes.
Landing Page Exclusions and Disclosure Requirements: Any viewership arising out of Landing
Page not to be counted in the viewership measurement. However, Landing Page can be used only as
a marketing tool. The Broadcasters shall disclose the availability of its channel on the landing page,
if any, to the rating Agency.
Compliance and Penalties: Non-compliance will attract graded penalties, ranging from temporary
suspensions of ratings to the cancellation of registration for repeat violations.
Platforms Allowed to Publish Viewership Data: TV Distribution Platforms or OTT platforms may
publish periodic viewership data of broadcasters/channels being played on their platforms, on their
websites, without obtaining registration or permission under these guidelines.
Through these measures, the Government of India reaffirms its commitment to a fair, competitive and
well-governed broadcasting environment that safeguards the stakeholders and public interest.
The TV Rating Policy 2026 replaces the existing Guidelines for TV Rating Agencies in India dated 16th
January 2014. The TV Rating Policy 2026 is available on the website of the Ministry.
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Mahesh Kumar/ Vivek Vishwash/ Aparajita Priyadarshini
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