MUMBAI: The Mumbai crime branch probing the TRP manipulation scam on Tuesday recorded the statement of Republic TV’s chief operating officer (COO) Priya Mukherjee. Police will continue questioning her on Wednesday. Chief executive officer (CEO) Vikas Khanchandani will also join the investigation.
The crime branch is probing the role of Republic TV, Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema, News Nation, Maha Movies and Wow music channel for inflating viewership figures, a key parameter that media-buying houses consider while placing advertisements.
The channels are accused of paying money to households, where bar-o-meters are installed, for keeping television sets tuned into their channels. Police have so far arrested 12 persons in the case including Ghanshyam Singh, distribution head of ARG Outlier Media Private Limited, which operates Republic TV. Ghanshyam is accused of distributing money to rig the channel’s viewership.