Republic TV & 2 other channels under police scanner for fake TRP scam

Oct. 8: In a startling revelation that is likely to have major repercussions in the TV media industry, the Mumbai police on Thursday announced that they are investigating a ‘false TRP racket’ being carried out by three channels in Mumbai. Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh said so far, three channels including Republic, Fakt Marathi, and Box Cinema were found to be indulging in such malpractices. The owners of the two Marathi channels have been arrested. Police said that those connected with Republic TV, ‘who had anything to do with the illegal proceeds’ will be questioned soon.

TRP is a tool to judge which TV programmes are viewed the most and also indicates the viewers’ choice and popularity of a particular channel. Reacting to the development, Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswani, “Param Bir Singh has made false allegations against Republic TV because we have questioned him in the Sushant Singh Rajput case investigation. Republic TV will file a criminal defamation case against him.”

Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami's statement pic.twitter.com/axhbJZ47eA

— Republic (@republic) October 8, 2020

As per police, it was Hansa and BARC that first spotted “unusual trends” in TRPs following which they approached the police. The crime branch then registered an FIR at Kandivali police station on charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust, following which they arrested a former employee of Hansa and his associate. The police found Rs 20 lakh from his bank account and Rs 8.5 lakh from his locker which Singh said “was to be paid to people to keep particular channels on”.

The media organisations allegedly bribed the households to keep their channel switched on all the time. “If you see the data, poor uneducated households that don’t speak English were watching only English TV channels,” Mr Singh said. He claimed that the families were offered a monthly payment of ₹ 400-500 for their role in pushing up ratings.

The bank accounts of the channels will be investigated, Mr Singh told reporters, besides the funds they receive from advertisers and “whether they are from proceeds of crimes”. More channels could also be examined, he said. Asked whether the inquiry would include Arnab Goswami, the Editor-in-Chief of Republic, the police chief said: “Anyone involved in the channel, no matter how much in the top, how senior, will be questioned, and if involved they will be investigated. No one, no matter how senior, will escape.”

BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) said that it appreciates the efforts of the Mumbai Police and will provide the support asked of it.