Indus Valley Times

New Delhi, March 11 (Source: bestmediainfo.com): Republic TV Network, which has often faced allegations of “manipulative” tactics in television news channel ratings and anti-trade practices is once again in the news for similar purposes. On a day for elections across five states including Uttar Pradesh, bestmediainfo.com reported how Arnab Goswami was back to rigging the ratings as a part of Republic TV Networks coverage.

The website reported that on a politically important day such as the election results, the Republic TV Network had its English news channel Republic TV carry Hindi feed in order to artificially increase the ratings. This assumes significance given that the ratings for news channels are set to make a comeback from March 17.

Quoting stakeholders, bestmediainfo.com explained that big events hold huge significance when it comes to driving viewership for the entire week. “Carrying Hindi feed on English news channels throughout the crucial counting hours is a clear attempt to rig ratings. In the process, Republic would have compromised the ratings of its Hindi channel, where the stakes were low. But BARC India must take this in cognisance and treat the spike as outliers,” the report said quoting an industry expert.

Calling the action by Republic TV Network illegal, the report said that on a regular day, many networks run big interviews for an hour or CSR campaigns across their networks and that was alright. “But this is a perfect example of blatant rigging of TRPs and all other channels in the English genre will take a beating due to this act of the Republic Network,” it said.

An executive from a leading media agency on the condition of anonymity spoke to Best Media Info of the lack of the advertiser’s confidence in Republic’s Hindi channel or quality of audience reasons. “Some advertisers would have put money on the Republic Network for English broadcasts. Now I am seeing a Hindi feed which is not right for certain brands,” this executive said. #Has he done it?