Thiruvananthapuram: A full-fledged investigation has been initiated into allegations of large-scale manipulation of television viewership ratings in Kerala, after the Director General of Police (DGP) received a detailed complaint regarding suspected BARC fraud. The case has now been handed over to a specialsed cyber investigation team, marking the first major police action in the state over alleged tampering of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) metrics.
The inquiry was triggered by a complaint filed by Kerala Television Federation (KTF) President R. Sreekandan Nair, who submitted the petition directly to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister subsequently forwarded the complaint to the State Police Chief, directing immediate and comprehensive action. In response, the DGP assigned a cyber unit to verify the allegations, collect digital evidence, and examine potential violations of broadcasting and fraud-related laws.
According to the complaint, serious accusations have emerged, including claims that a prominent television channel owner in Kerala allegedly paid several crores of rupees to manipulate BARC ratings for commercial gain. The petitioner argues that such tampering not only distorts the advertising market but also misleads viewers, damages rival channels, and undermines the credibility of the broadcasting industry.
The complaint highlights long-standing structural issues within the BARC ratings system. Despite Kerala having around 86 lakh television sets, the state reportedly operates with fewer than 1,500 BARC meters an extremely small sample pool that raises concerns about reliability. Furthermore, the distribution of these meters is said to be uneven, failing to proportionately represent different regions, demographics, and viewing patterns across the state.
More alarmingly, allegations have also surfaced that these meters may be vulnerable to external manipulation. Critics claim that the devices can be remotely controlled or influenced, allowing unscrupulous actors to artificially inflate or distort ratings data. If proven, such activities would constitute a serious breach of industry standards and potentially criminal conduct.
With the cyber team now formally tasked with the probe, investigators are expected to examine digital trails, financial transactions, meter logs, and communication records to determine whether coordinated fraud has taken place. The police have indicated that the investigation will be thorough, with accountability enforced in accordance with the law.
The case is likely to have far-reaching implications for Kerala’s television sector, as broadcasters, advertisers, and viewers await clarity on the integrity of the state’s audience measurement system.