Mr. MK Anand, MD & CEO – Times Network has clarified his stand on relation ship with BARC India and the current status of water marking of his list of channels.
On the issues of water marking of the channels, he said, “Only Times NOW, Times NOW HD and Mirror NOW have stopped putting watermark. We have no issues or problem with BARC except for the English News ratings of Week 19, which is distorted and shows extraordinary reach”.
He also clarified that his network is engaging with BARC through NBA and said, “Anticipating discrepancies in numbers NBA had already started engaging with BARC in writing about the veracity of the English News data which was questionable and was feared to be tainted. As such the question is only about English News data and that too in week19 and any other future week where ground level distortions could be affecting. All our other channels continue to be on BARC.”
MK Anand also clarified on the story of India Today TV writing to TRAI and BARC complaining against Times Now’s multiple LCNs’ and said, “Times NOW did a defensive manoeuvre. We have never been an advocate of multiple LCNs and have NOT run our channel that way till last week”.
“In fact we have been an affected party more than once and raised this issue at various levels. It was only after a desperate and aggressive move was made by Republic TV on the ground that we upped the ante in self – defence. As part of NBA, and as a responsible brand, we endorse strict action against such destructive and diversionary tactics. TIMES NOW is NOT playing on multiple LCNs anywhere in the country as of now. The impressions of week 19, including our own are tainted and not dependable due to this reason and we had joined the NBA in raising it to BARC earlier this week.” Added Anand
