CCI by its order dated February 25, 2016 has closed a case
alleging abuse of dominant position by the television audience
measurement services agency, TAM Media Research Private Limited, in
relation to the procedure adopted for measurement of Television
Rating Points (TRPs) or Television Viewership Ratings (TVR) since
2011.
The case was filed by the public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati,
through Doordarshan channel.
The methodology adopted by TAM to measure TRP includes meters
installed in TVs in areas/cities with a population of 1 Lakh or
more. TAM has installed a total of 8000 meters throughout the
country, which represents a very narrow statistical base. It was
alleged that the TRP/TVR generated by TAM actually underestimates
the actual viewership of Doordarshan as it primarily is being
watched by the population in rural areas. Thus, the TRP/TVR puts
the Informant in a disadvantageous position and gives undue
advantage to broadcasters who have programmes for urban
