What's the Buzz about TRP?

We all can agree that one of the most used or heard words during this pandemic is TRP. If we forget Covid-19, SSR, quarantine, nepotism and drugs for a while. Yes TRP, People started using this word very often.

Many people suggested not to watch News channels during this pandemic. So I questioned them what was the reason behind it? They told news channels hype small things just for TRP.

News channels started to telecast news regarding covid-19 for the entire day as well as night. Which of course gave us the statistics and the news we need, at the same time annoying us. Ultimately it's the TRP game !Buthadoes TRP mean? Why is it so important for TV channels? Butdoes TRP mean? Why is it so important for TV channels?

But What does TRP mean? Why is it so important for TV channels?

Television Point Rating or Target Rating Point(TRP) is a tool used by stakeholder to measure the viewership of a channel. It is important because the more popular the channel, the more it gets paid by the advertisers. So to tell in simple words TRP is directly proportional to REVENUE. ( If TRP increases revenue increases, if TRP decreases revenue also decreases)

BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) is the industry or agency that was set up to measure the viewership and publish weekly reports. As viewing details are recorded by the BAR-O-meters, so are the watermarks. The raw data is cleaned, merged with the channel, program, language and broadcast schedule details. Universe Estimates are applied to get viewership data.

Can TRP be manipulated?

Yes, it can be altered or manipulated.

There are two ways to alter TRP-

1) Bribe members of a family to watch their channel.

2)Make deals with cable operators to ensure their channel plays as soon as a TV is switched on.

To be Continued..