Among other things, they suggest an offer from BARC’s top executives to manipulate ratings in favor of Republic TV and the Hindi channel Republic Bharat. The screenshots also show executives making suggestions to Republic TV on strategies to increase viewership ratings.
In return, Goswami appears to have kept Dasgupta briefed on government affairs, including the operation of the broadcasting and information ministry, the reorganization of the cabinet, the appointment of secretaries, and more.
The chats document a constant flow of communication between Dasgupta and Goswami and chats between former BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia and Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani. Dasgupta is in judicial custody, while Ramgarhia and Khanchandani are out on bail.
They suggest that Dasgupta and Ramgarhia shared confidential information with Republic that they had access to by virtue of their positions. For example, the chats reveal that Dasgupta guides Goswami in programming and distribution and asks Ramgarhia to inform Khanchandani where to increase the channel’s distribution. “Ask Vikas to also keep Romil up to date, they know each other very well,” Dasgupta told Goswami.
On the distribution front, Dasgupta once told Goswami: “Just check, due to pressure from TMC, if cable operators have been forced not to broadcast their channel in Bengal.” In another talk, he told Goswami regarding ratings trends: “Clearly, you are gaining numbers across India, but over a million numbers the Times is gaining. I’ve asked for a deep dive into that. ”
Chats show Dasgupta also shared granular data with Goswami while at the same time writing that BARC “does not share this level of data with anyone else”, in response to which Goswami expressed his “thanks”.
Dasgupta also asked Ramgarhia to “watch” the audience figures. “Ideally, prune Chennai and do small gap“He said referring to the gap between two channels (Republic and Times Now). Ramgarhia responded: “Chennai’s gap in 2+ (demographic) is low. 22 + AB if we bridge the gap, Republic will fall to (number) two. He will check the numbers and see what needs to be done. ”
A chat between Dasgupta and Ramgarhia shows how the policy was changed to help Republic TV. On May 17, 2017, Ramgarhia messaged Dasgupta: “He also changed the policy on the website that indicates 2-4 weeks, publishing Republic data from May 6 onwards. So covered. ”BARC India’s previous policy was to remove the audience from the news channel after four weeks, which was modified to publish the Republic data.
He also asked Ramgarhia to inform Khanchadani about a drop in range. “Tell Vikas they have no traction in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta,” Dasgupta wrote in one of his messages. “Start messaging Vikas, if they lose Chennai, they will lose India as the other markets are not doing well. They depend a lot on Chennai. ”
In addition, he regularly shared inquiries from TRAI and other media related to Republic TV and the audience with Goswami, seeking their input.
At the time when the Association of Broadcasters of News (NBA) was on the warpath with Republic TV, Dasgupta was assisting Goswami with legal strategy and media management. The chats also show that before his departure from BARC, Dasgupta asked Goswami if he could help him get an “influential position” in the government.
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