Adopt self regulation for audience measurement: I&B Min

In the wake of questions raised over transparency, reliability and credibility of television rating agencies, a senior information and broadcasting ministry official today recommended for self-regulation of television rating points (TRPs) by the stakeholders.
"We are of the firm view that self-regulation of TRPs by industry body is the best option so far as TV ratings are concerned," Bimal Julka, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said at a Ficci event here today.
He said the I&B ministry is seriously concerned about the target audience and the quality of content delivered to them.
The government has recently notified TRP guidelines that cover a detailed procedure for registration of rating agencies, eligibility norms, terms and conditions of registration, cross holdings, methodology for audience measurement, complaint redressal mechanisms, sale and use of the audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and action against non compliance of guidelines.

Talking about the benefits of digitisation, Jhulka said that it has brought transparency and ushered a new era in broadcasting.
"The biggest gain of digitisation is going to be transparency in the broadcasting sector which will increase investments, including FDI inflow, encourage cleaner and innovative businesses and above all give consumers a choice of a-la-carte channels," Jhulka added.
He said the first two phases of digitisation have been successfully completed in 42 cities, and over 30 million set top boxes (STBs) installed.
He also said another 110 million STBs would be required to complete the digitisation process in remaining two phases.