Names of two channels emerged for allegedly being involved in fixing the PRT. (Figurative)
Mumbai:
The names of two more TV channels have emerged during the investigation of an alleged bogus TV Rating Points (TRP) scam, police said Wednesday.
While one is a news channel, the other is an entertainment channel, the official said, according to the new agency PTI.
“During the investigation, it came to light that these two channels were also involved in fixing the TRP by paying money to households to watch them,” he said.
“While investigating the bogus TRP fraud, the police added new IPC sections including 174, 179, 201, 204,” he added.
According to the official, the police had previously recorded a crime under section 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120 (B), 34 of IPC in the case. He said the branch of crime presented the letter to the court on the addition of new sections.
Three channels, including Republic TV, are under investigation for allegedly gaming ratings and their use to spread false narratives and earn advertising revenue.
The investigation team on Wednesday recorded statements from Republic TV chief financial officer S Sundaram and executive editor Niranjan Narayanswami, the official said.
The alleged bogus TRP scam came to light when the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) rating agency filed a police complaint through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain channels were manipulating TRP numbers to attract advertisers. .
It was alleged that some residents, whose homes had meters installed to collect audience data, were being bribed to tune in to a particular channel.
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