Have you ever thought about how BARC in media industry plays an important role and what benefits we can get from it? As we all know, the Indian media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in today’s world. This big industry airs thousands of programs every day on hundreds of channels.
Some of the shows running on television channels become the most popular among Indian audiences. Have you ever wondered how it is possible? In this blog we will understand it in detail. The answer to this question is BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council). BARC in media industry plays a key role in its operation and success. Let’s explore what BARC is and how it provides 10 key benefits to this industry.
What is BARC in Media Industry & What Are the 3 Pillars It Is Formed Of?
BARC in media industry is a joint body established in 2010. It is formed by the coming together of three key industries:
- IBDF (Indian broadcasting and digital foundation)
- ISA (Indian society of advertisers)
- AAAI (Advertising agencies association of India)
The primary function of BARC in media industry is to measure the watching habits of television watchers in India and release TRPs (Television Rating Points). It is the world’s largest television watcher’s measurement system, collecting data using advanced audio watermarking technology installed in several homes of the nation.
10 Major Benefits of BARC in Media Industry
BARC data isn’t just a number; it’s a map that guides the multi-billion-dollar media business. Here are 10 key benefits of BARC in media industry:
Getting exact TRP ratings: Before BARC, TV ratings in India were a subject of considerable controversy and uncertainty. It has developed a rating system using modern technology. This weekly data serves as a reliable watch rate by BARC in media industry.
Getting exact audience preferences: BARC data provides broadcasters with information about viewers’ watching times, channels, and shows, helping them with getting reliable content to the public’s preferences.
Verifying relevant media expenses: BARC is a boon for advertisers. This data helps companies recognize which channels or shows to invest their budgets on so their ads reach their target audience. This prevents wasted funds.
Making the rural India reach: One of BARC’s biggest priorities was reaching rural India and making them part of the ratings system. Previously, ratings were limited to major cities. With the emergence of rural data, media houses began developing specialized collections and advertising strategies for rural audiences.
Improving the quality of content: When a show’s ratings drop, production houses and its channel quickly recognize that need. Similarly, understanding the patterns of hit shows helps create better, getting a standard reach.
Fair competition: Having a single central rating agency ensures uniform rules and standards for all TV channels. This promotes healthy and fair competition in the media industry, where only good content survives.
Fair estimation of budget and resources: TV channels spend much to prepare a quality show. By analysing exact historical data of BARC in media industry, channels can determine which genres (such as comedy, drama, news, or sports) will be most beneficial to invest in.
Making proper follow-up from government policies: BARC operates under the government and TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). As of now, ratings are designed to exclude landing page viewership from the main ratings and to control ratings. This provides a better TV experience for viewers.
Clarifies future strategies and digital expansion: BARC data not only provides current information but also helps to predict future trends of the industry. Furthermore, BARC is now moving towards measuring both television and digital viewership, which will facilitate cross-media planning according to the future conditioning.
Conclusion
For a better future success: Running a media organization without BARC is like launching a large ship into the ocean without any tracking support. BARC in media industry has given the Indian television industry a scientific and data-driven approach. BARC serves as a strong link between broadcasters, advertisers, and viewers. Today, if any Indian media organization is successful as a professional and collaborative unit, a significant amount of credit goes to BARC’s level rating system.
