Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict in TV Ratings Policy Row Over Landing Page TRP Exclusion

 Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict in TV Ratings Policy Row Over Landing Page TRP Exclusion  

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict in a significant case challenging the Union Government's Television Rating Policy, 2026, particularly the provision that excludes "landing page" viewership from Television Rating Points (TRPs).

The petition has been filed by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and other stakeholders, who contend that excluding landing-page viewership could adversely affect cable television operators and alter the commercial dynamics of television distribution. They have also argued that the policy attempts to address an issue that is already under consideration before the Supreme Court.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), supported by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), has defended the policy, maintaining that landing-page viewership does not accurately reflect viewers' voluntary content choices. According to the government, excluding such viewership will result in a more scientific and transparent audience measurement system.