BARC ratings blackout puts festive TV ad budgets under pressure

Parle Products and Dabur India signal tougher TV-rate negotiations as BARC’s ratings suspension clouds campaign measurement. FMCG brands may shift more festive spending to CTV, OTT and quick commerce amid a broader linear-TV advertising decline.

— Filed Wed, 22 Jul, 2026, 00:52 IST · Source ET Small Business · Updated

BARC’s ratings suspension could disrupt festive TV ad buying by Indian FMCG brands, forcing tougher CPRP negotiations and lower reality-show rates. Parle and Dabur executives flag a shift of budgets toward CTV, OTT and quick commerce amid already declining linear-TV advertising.

Why this matters

The move follows Parle’s signal of demand recovery from easing input costs and comes alongside reports it is weighing a $1bn IPO at a $10.5bn valuation. Festive inventory stockpiling adds planning pressure.

Retail-brand signals are accelerating, up 337900% QoQ.