NBF petitions BARC to bring back ratings for news channels

The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has released a press statement to express its disappointed over BARC continuing to withhold television ratings for news channels.

 

Since 15 October 2020, BARC, the television audience measurement rating agency registered by the MIB, had paused the release of their audience ratings for the news genre.

 

The MIB on 12 January 2022, had asked BARC to resume the release of audience data with immediate effect in a monthly format on a ‘four-week rolling average concept’.

 

The NBF statement urges BARC to comply and release the ratings of news channels without any further delay as per the clearing given by the MIB. 

 

The NBF has also issued advice that those news channels that don’t want ratings can be voluntarily exempt. 

 

With the resumption of ratings, the congregation of news broadcasters hope to end the severe challenge the news genre is facing in regards to advertising revenues due to a lack of audience measurement.