- BARC unceremoniously suspended V6 and Tv9 for a month from it’s ratings last week, suspecting they visited panel homes
- V6 is the numero uno channel in Telangana area. Some of it’s programs such as “Bithiri Satthi” are most watched series on YouTube
For world’s second largest and fastest growing television market, the new BARC system was supposed to be a monumental shift and increase the transparency in the ratings system. However, BARC ratings agency methodology and standards have been mediocre at best. As recently as last week, BARC removed India News, V6 and Tv9 from its ratings without any prior notice. V6 is a young Telugu news channel led by Ankam Ravi, catapulted to top of TRP ratings and is well watched in the Telangana region. Even though it serves just the Telangana market, it gives other news channels a run for the money. In fact, just going by YouTube views, V6 is way way ahead of all the other news channels.
In lucrative Hyderabad market, V6 in fact is one of the top 3 channels. India News and V6 filed cases in Mumbai High Court. India News case was decided last week in the channel’s favor and the Judge was pleased to give relief. V6 contends that as per the charter rules Ethics committee has to investigate any allegation and only then an action can be taken. India News alleged that it is the conspiracy of their competition who raised false alarms with BARC, they were also suspicious about BARC employees’ role. India News says BARC unceremoniously suspended the publishing of Ratings of these channels without a transparent process.
Two Months ago when Telugu360 had published an article about the anomalies in Telugu Tv market ratings pattern, BARC Vigilance team wrote to us an email asking for further information and proof on the market.
They assured us that they will take the matter to a logical conclusion. We provided material available with us. When our team noticed that BARC is not going to the root of the problem and is relying on the existing compromised staff and network to gather and publish the data, we cautioned them to study the situation.
It is an irony that BARC manipulation is also being done by General Entertainment channels such as Gemini, Zee TV.
This investigation is to bring out the facts at the ground level and also study the reasons for failure of the system called BARC. As per our observations from our investigations in the field , it is the compromised employees of BARC and their propensity to be corrupted that has forced the TV channels in the 2 states of AP / TS to adopt this easier method of purchasing TV ratings rather than concentrate on producing good quality programming.
Our investigation reveals that 100% of the BARC panel houses making anywhere between Rs. 5000 to 7000 every month. Some of these house holds are paying BARC local person. We recorded Kurnool house holds saying that they are paying Rs. 500 per month to the Local BARC employee. For BARC Employees it’s a jackpot. They have now 3 different sources of income, BARC Salary, Channel Salary and panel Home payments.
New videos released :
A housewife shows the BARC meter :
Another housewife from Telangana :
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