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BARC orders forensic audit in Kerala TRP scam probe
KERALA: Barc India has rushed to limit the fallout from an alleged television ratings scam in Kerala, commissioning an independent forensic audit after reports surfaced of potential data manipulation involving one of its employees.
The move follows a sting by Malayalam channel Twenty-Four which claimed a Barc staffer was linked to suspicious spikes in viewership for a Kerala broadcaster. The exposé has triggered a police inquiry into whether ratings were artificially inflated using crypto payments, leaked data and targeted meter mapping.
Seeking to project transparency and control, barc India said it has “immediately engaged a reputed independent agency to undertake a comprehensive forensic audit into the matter”. It stressed its commitment to integrity in audience measurement and urged the media and stakeholders to refrain from speculation as the investigation proceeds.
According to preliminary findings cited by investigators, WhatsApp chats and call logs appear to show advance rating figures being shared before official release. Police are also examining claims that nearly Rs 100 crore was routed through crypto wallets to influence outcomes, along with potential misuse of PIN-coded meter locations.
The case is still evolving, but the reputational risk is clear. India’s Rs 50,000 crore TV advertising market rests on trust in audience data. Barc’s rapid response signals the high stakes and its determination to shut down manipulation before the story gets bigger, darker and messier.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
