Government notifies TV Rating Policy 2026; net-worth norm for rating agencies cut to ₹5 crore
On 27 March 2026 the I&B Ministry released the TV Ratings Policy 2026, lowering the net-worth requirement for rating agencies from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore and mandating larger samples and a dual audit.
Summary
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released the TV Ratings Policy 2026 on 27 March 2026, setting rules for registration, operation, audit and oversight of TV rating agencies. The net-worth requirement for a rating agency was cut from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore. At least 50% of an agency's board must be independent directors. Agencies must scale up to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months (six months for the existing agency), eventually reaching 1,20,000. Landing-page viewership is excluded from measurement, a dual-audit system is mandated, and data protection must comply with the DPDP law.
Key facts
- Policy
- TV Ratings Policy 2026 – Ministry of I&B, 27 March 2026
- Net worth
- Reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore
- Board
- At least 50% independent directors
- Sample
- 80,000 metered homes in 18 months; eventually 1,20,000
- Landing pages
- Excluded from viewership measurement
- Audit
- Dual-audit system; DPDP-compliant data protection
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the TV Ratings Policy 2026, the net-worth requirement for registering as a TV rating agency has been reduced from ₹20 crore to:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹5 crore
The net-worth requirement was reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore.
Consider the following about the TV Ratings Policy 2026: 1. Landing-page viewership is excluded from ratings measurement. 2. At least 50% of a rating agency's board must be independent directors. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The policy excludes landing-page viewership from measurement and requires at least 50% independent directors.