Kerala High Court Stays Centre's TV Rating Policy Clause That Says Viewership Arising Out Of Landing Page Won't Be Counted

Kerala High Court on Friday (May 22) stayed the proviso to Clause 5.4.1 of the TV Ratings Policy 2026 issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), which says that viewership arising out of Landing Page shall not be counted in the viewership measurement and that Landing Page can be used only as a marketing tool. 

The MIB had issued the 2026 Policy vide an order dated March 27, 2026 for replacing the 2014 Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India.

Senior Advocate Arun Kathpalia today submitted before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas that though the Policy has presently not come into effect, the same not be enforced:

"Recommendation is not yet in effect. They shouldn't make it effective. That's my only concern."

The senior advocate appearing for All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and DEN Network Ltd. had submitted that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India - TRAI's Landing Page Regulations was stayed by the Supreme Court in a 2020 order and that matter is currently pending therein.

"There must be some reason why this policy has been. Some study must have been conducted...Prima facie, I am of the view that this a matter of policy. Only for the fact that the Supreme Court observed that they will not enforce the landing page regulations...," Justice Bechu orally remarked. 

However, the senior counsel pointed out that no study had been conducted and also that these were not merely policy decisions. He submitted that only the TRAI Act gives jurisdiction and that the Ministry has no jurisdiction to issue such a guideline:

"It's more than just policy. It's a guideline which is now being given effect. If TRAI has jurisdiction, MIB's jurisdiction is out. MIB doesn't retain any jurisdiction."

After a detailed hearing, the interim stay was granted:

"Since the Supreme Court is already in seizement of the matter in Civil Appeal No. 6001-6003/2019, wherein...order has been passed directing that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) shall not enforce the Landing Page regulations/directions against the respondents and other similarly situated members of the association, the respondents herein shall not implement proviso to Clause 5.4.1. in TV Ratings Policy of 2026 without getting orders from this Court."

The Court also issued notice to the respondents and directed them to file their respective counter affidavits.

Case No: WP(C) 17422/ 2026

Case Title: All India Digital Cable Federation and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors.