TRP Scam: Hansa Research withdraws services from BARC

Hansa Research Group, which provides Television Rating Points measurements to the Broadcast Research Council of India, has decided to officially part ways with the organisation as of July this year.

The group has decided to withdraw their services from July 31 as quoted in the letter written by Hansa CEO Praveen Nijhara to Meterology Data Private Limited which is a joint venture of both BARC and TAM India (Television Audience Measurement).

Last year, the Mumbai Police had unearthed the TRP scandal after the arrest of former Hansa research employees revealed alleged large-scale manipulation of the barometers which measure how popular each channel is with viewers.

Hansa Group employees have been accused of fudging TRP data for payment from certain prominent channels including Republic TV and India Today. However the group has also filed an affidavit in the High Court citing pressure from the Mumbai Police to name prominent channels in the case.