The Battle for TRP: Who’s Winning the Online News War?
In the fast-paced world of Indian news media, the competition for Television Rating Points (TRP) has reached a fever pitch. As leading news channels vie for the coveted number one position, a collaborative effort between The420 and Noida-based NGO Root64 Infosec Research Foundation has shed light on the current landscape of online viewership. This analysis not only highlights the ongoing TRP war but also raises questions about the credibility of traditional TRP measurement mechanisms.
The TRP Controversy
The recent TRP scam has cast a shadow over the integrity of the ratings system that determines a channel’s popularity. With allegations of manipulation and deceit, the public’s trust in these ratings has waned. To counter this uncertainty, The420 and Root64 turned to the online realm, where data is more transparent and accessible. By examining live viewership on YouTube, they aimed to uncover which channels are truly leading the charge in the digital space.
Live Viewership: The Current Standings
On October 14, 2023, at 10:47 AM, the data revealed that Republic Bharat, led by the controversial figure Arnab Goswami, was dominating the live viewership scene. With 4.9 million subscribers, the channel boasted a live audience of 6,300 viewers at that time. This impressive figure underscores Republic Bharat’s ability to engage its audience effectively, even when its star anchor is not on screen.
NDTV India: A Strong Contender
Following closely behind was NDTV India, which, despite having a subscriber base of 9 million—double that of Republic Bharat—managed to attract only 4,400 live viewers at the same time. This disparity raises questions about viewer loyalty and engagement, suggesting that subscriber numbers do not always translate to active viewership.
Aaj Tak: The Subscriber Giant
In third place was Aaj Tak, with a staggering 41.9 million subscribers, nearly ten times that of Republic Bharat. However, the channel’s live viewership was surprisingly low, with only 4,300 viewers tuning in at 10:48 AM. This indicates a significant disconnect between subscriber count and actual viewer engagement, hinting at a potential decline in viewer loyalty.
A Shift in Viewer Loyalty
A subsequent analysis conducted at 1:40 PM on the same day revealed a further shift in viewer engagement. Republic Bharat’s live viewership surged to 9,900, while Aaj Tak and NDTV India lagged behind with 6,500 and 3,300 viewers, respectively. Amit Dubey, Chief Mentor of Root64 Infosec Research Foundation, noted, “Aaj Tak has 10 times more subscribers while NDTV has double numbers, but both channels are getting 30 percent less viewership than Republic Bharat. This clearly shows that Aaj Tak has lost the loyalty of its viewers who have shifted to other channels.”
Monthly Viewership Trends
The analysis extended beyond live viewership to monthly statistics, revealing a troubling trend for Aaj Tak. Once enjoying a massive reach of 1.5 billion views in May 2020, the channel’s monthly views have plummeted to around 350 million. Similarly, NDTV India has seen its monthly views decline from 100 million to approximately 60 million.
In stark contrast, Republic Bharat has experienced exponential growth, increasing its monthly views from 100 million to an impressive 300 million in September 2020. The channel also welcomed around 1.3 million new subscribers during that month, indicating a robust and growing audience base.
The Digital Shift in News Consumption
The rise of digital platforms has transformed how news is consumed in India. All major news channels now maintain active YouTube channels, where they broadcast live feeds and share news reports. As internet penetration continues to grow, these channels are investing heavily in their online presence to capture the attention of a digitally-savvy audience.
The data clearly indicates that Republic Bharat has taken a commanding lead in the digital news landscape. As the saying goes, “the customer is king,” and it appears that viewers are gravitating towards Republic Bharat more than any other news channel.
Social Media Sentiment: A Closer Look
In addition to viewership statistics, Root64 also analyzed over 100,000 tweets related to the ongoing TRP war between October 8-12. The hashtags #RepublicFightsBack, #RepublicBharat, #RepublicTRPChor, #RepublicTV, and #RepublicCheatsBharat were predominantly used by journalists and media organizations, with over 64 percent of the tweets originating from this sector. This suggests that the online discourse surrounding the TRP war is largely confined to media professionals, with minimal engagement from the general public.
Conclusion
As the battle for TRP continues, the data collected by The420 and Root64 Infosec Research Foundation paints a revealing picture of the current state of the Indian news media landscape. Republic Bharat’s dominance in live viewership and monthly engagement highlights a significant shift in viewer loyalty, while Aaj Tak and NDTV India grapple with declining numbers despite their larger subscriber bases.
In an era where digital presence is paramount, the ability to engage and retain viewers will ultimately determine the winners in this ongoing war for TRP supremacy. As the landscape evolves, it will be fascinating to see how these channels adapt to the changing preferences of their audience.