We're still in dialogue with MIB and are hopeful of positive outcome soon: Punit Goenka
The question that arises now is whether BARC's dialogue (which was initiated with the MIB last night) will be successful in ensuring the release of BARC data today as scheduled
The industry is abuzz on whether BARC ratings will come out today after communication from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to BARC to put a stop to publishing ratings till the agency’s registration process is over (as per guidelines, TV rating agencies need to complete registration from the ministry).
“We are still in dialogue with the ministry and are hopeful of a positive outcome soon,” said BARC Chairman Punit Goenka who is also MD and CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL).
Prior to the notice, BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) released its first TV viewership data last Wednesday, and was all set to release data today as well.
But now the question that arises now is whether BARC’s dialogue which was initiated with the MIB last night will be successful in ensuring the release of BARC data today as scheduled.
“We will be working with the Ministry on this, and obviously not go against the Ministry,” added Goenka.
Shashi Sinha, BARC Technical Committee Chairman said to exchange4media last evening, “This is a discriminatory practice; our application for registration with due diligence is pending since early November 2014. It has been pending from their end.”
A statement from TAM Media Research on the news of MIB’s notice to BARC stated:
"For TAM Media Research, weekly TV Viewership data release to the Industry will continue as normal. Pursuant to the interim order issued by the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi on Feb 12, 2014, 1.7(a), 1.7(d), 16.1 & 16.2 of impugned guidelines have been stayed till the disposal of the Writ Petition 494/2014 (Kantar Matter).”
