The Mumbai Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a 'false TRP racket', where households were apparently asked to keep channels switched on the entire day. The officers claimed that even in uneducated homes, some English news channels remained switched on. Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh said that two people have been arrested in the matter and officers are searching locations of their associates.
"TV advertising industry is worth 30,000-40,000 crore. The rates are decided on the basis of TRP. Even if minor changes are made in TRP, it affects advertising," he said.
Singh identified Republic TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema by name and said owners of two channels have been arrested. He said BARC has submitted that Republic TV is a suspect in TRP manipulation.