# BARC Registration Delay Deepens TV Ratings Rift in India

> India's TV ratings market faces deeper divisions as BARC registration delay sparks broadcaster disputes over audience measurement.
- Title: BARC Registration Delay Deepens TV Ratings Rift in India
- Summary: India's TV ratings market faces deeper divisions as BARC registration delay sparks broadcaster disputes over audience measurement. India's TV ratings market…
- Keywords: barc india, tv ratings market, ministry of information and broadcasting, tam india, broadcast audience research council, television advertising market, BARC, Registration, Delay, Deepens, Ratings, Rift
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/barc-registration-delay-deepens-tv-ratings-market-rift-in-india/articleshow/135076000.cms
- Author: Javed Farooqui
- Published: 2026-10-20T19:06:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: barc india, tv ratings market, ministry of information and broadcasting, tam india, broadcast audience research council, television advertising market
## BARC Registration Delay
The delay in renewing Broadcast Audience Research Council India's registration has exposed divisions over broadcaster influence and audience measurement.

> The delay in renewing the registration of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has exposed divisions over broadcaster influence, audience measurement and competition in India’s television ratings market
## BARC Ownership Structure
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation holds a 60% stake, while the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Indian Society of Advertisers each own 20%.

> The indian broadcasting and digital foundation (ibdf) holds a 60% stake, while the advertising agencies association of india (aaa) and the indian society of advertisers (isa) own 20% each.
## Ratings Blackout Impact
The ministry stopped BARC from publishing audience data in June, while news viewership data has been withheld since March.

> The mib stopped barc from publishing audience measurement data in june, while news viewership data has been withheld since march.
## Market Financial Pressure
India’s television advertising market is estimated at rs 30,000 crore to rs 40,000 crore, with broadcasters facing revenue cuts.

> India’s television advertising market is estimated at rs 30,000 crore to rs 40,000 crore
## BARC Financial Crisis
Most broadcasters have stopped paying BARC, putting it on the brink of collapse.

> Barring two broadcasters, other broadcasters are not paying barc, which means that barc is on the brink of a collapse
## Cross-Media Measurement Hurdle
BARC has tested cross-screen measurement for years but lacks public results, while the market needs updated viewing habits data.

> Barc’s previous registration expired in 2025. It has since appointed new independent directors and expanded its measurement panel to nearly 80,000 meters
## TAM India Application
TAM India’s application could introduce competition but requires broadcaster and advertiser support to succeed.

> Tam india’s application could introduce competition into a ratings market dominated by barc, but establishing a viable alternative would require the support of broadcasters, advertisers and other stakeholders.
## Key takeaway

India's TV ratings market fractures over BARC registration delay, threatening broadcaster finances and cross-media measurement progress.