When a channel runs on multiple frequencies, it means you enjoy multiple slots across all genres; for example, a news channel might also appear in the movies or entertainment categories.
“A manipulated TRP rating results in multiple advertisers divesting (sic) large amounts of money to undeserving channels, causing illegal losses to all stakeholders,” the charge sheet states.
The charge sheet indicated that Republic TV was an open-air channel and Singh, its head of distribution, allegedly colluding with the other arrested defendants, made them payments to increase TRPs and paid them money. Singh would enter into settlements with the other defendants after discussing the terms, conditions and fees. He was also asked to monitor whether these operators were complying with the terms of the deal, police said on the charge sheet.
The city police had registered a case in the TRP manipulation fraud on October 6 and have been investigating Republic TV. Fakt Marathi, Mahamovies, News Nation, Movie box and Wow music channels to manipulate TRP. India Today received a clean complaint from the police, although one of the suspects had alleged that this channel had also manipulated the audience figures.
To measure TRP, the Broadcasting Audiences Research Council (BARC) had contracted with Hansa Research to install barometers in the homes of select audiences to measure viewing patterns. Hansa Research is the whistleblower in the case.
Assistant Police Commissioner Shashank Sanbhor and Assistant Inspector Sachin waze He filed the 1,400-page indictment sheet Tuesday in the 37th Esplanade Court of First Instance.
The charge sheet has been filed against 12 defendants, including former Hansa Research employees and the owners of Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema. It contains statements from 140 witnesses, of whom eight have appeared before the magistrate and made confessional statements under article 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which are admissible as evidence during the trial.
The Mumbai police filing the charge sheet within the stipulated 60-day period becomes important as the Directorate of Enforcement conducted a parallel investigation in the money laundering angle under the provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering. The police investigation has revealed that confidential information about the location of the metered televisions was leaked and viewers were paid to keep their sets tuned to specific channels.
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