COVID-19: Broadcasters say advertisement bookings on TV channels halved

Advertising bookings on TV channels have halved because of the COVID-19 pandemic and there are delays in payments from brands as well, an umbrella body of broadcasters said on Monday.

The outbreak has also halted production of ongoing shows, cancellation of live sporting events like the IPL and also scheduled advertisements, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) said.

The body has written to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, seeking a slew of relief or stimulus measures for the industry.

“The outbreak of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown have posed several challenges for the television broadcast sector,” its president N P Singh said.