BARC told to give raw-level data to broadcasters
BARC is expected to take up this MIB order in its next board meeting
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has asked TV ratings measurement body BARC to provide broadcasters with raw-level data, as per industry sources.
BARC is likely to discuss the process and pricing of sharing this data in its next board meeting.
In a letter written to BARC in this regard, the ministry stated,
“Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC lndia) has requested this Ministry for being permitted to share audience measurement Raw Level Data (RLD) with broadcasters. ln this regard, BARC has apprised that it has significantly scaled up the panel homes by about 85% (from 30,000 to 55,000). Further. RLD data has been sufficiently masked and anonymized and do not include personally identifiable information of panels thereby ensuring the secrecy, privacy and integrity of the panel homes.”
“Further, BARC has conveyed that they are already sharing the RLD data with advertisers and media agencies. ln this regard, the "Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in lndia" dated 16.01.2014 issued by this Ministry prescribes that 'Para 7.2: The data generated by the rating agency be made available to all interested stakeholders in a transparent and equitable manner.'”
“Hence, BARC may share Raw Level Data up to the preceding week (i.e. RLD data of the viewership for W-1th week when the TRP is being reported for the Wth week) with the broadcasters in a transparent and equitable manner while ensuring that the integrity and confidentiality of the BARC panels is maintained at all times Further, all the requisites and prescriptions of the said TRP Policy Guidelines in this respect must be adhered to by BARC,” read the letter.
