TV rating agencies like TAM should be regulated through a framework of guidelines, which the I&B ministry should notify "preferably within two months", broadcasting sector regulator TRAI has recommended.
TRAI pointed out that it had submitted recommendations on the same issue in 2008, but the ministry as well as the industry made "little or no progress" on the suggestions.
In a statement released while issuing fresh guidelines today, TRAI said that "implementation has now become a critical factor" and it would not continue to be a mute spectator and may suo motu intervene in larger public interest.
When asked what intervention TRAI could take its chairman Rahul Khullar said, "We can do a lot."
He said that people know that the present system of TV ratings is not credible and the public suffers because of this, as it is not known which programmes are really popular.
The latest TRAI recommendations on TV rating agencies support self regulation of TV ratings through an industry led body like Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
TV rating agencies should have a minimum of 20,000 panel homes for collecting viewership data and this number should increase by 10,000 every year till the figure of 50,000 is reached, TRAI recommended.
It also said that any agency which can meet the eligibility conditions should be allowed to register with the I&B ministry for doing the rating work.
The rating agency (excluding BARC) shall have a minimum net worth of Rs 20 crore, TRAI suggested. Any member of the Board of Directors of the television rating company shall not be in the business of broadcasting or advertising, it held.
