NEW DELHI: India's NDTV has sued TV audience measurement firm TAM India and its global parents, Nielsen and Kantar, for over $1.3 billion, accusing them of manipulating ratings data, reports said Wednesday.

In a 194-page lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of New York, NDTV alleged the defendants manipulated viewership data in favour of channels who "paid" money, the Business Standard and other media reported.

Ratings agencies earn billions of dollars annually by selling data on viewership patterns and ratings of broadcasters used by advertisers for marketing and advertising plans.

Highest viewed broadcasters typically get the most advertising money. NDTV (New Delhi Television Ltd) alleged in the suit that widespread data manipulation had been going on for over eight years, making it appear fewer people were watching NDTV channels than actually were - causing the broadcaster financial losses.

NDTV, India's oldest private TV network, is demanding at least $810 million for fraud and at least $580 million to compensate for those losses, according to the suit, said the Hollywood Reporter magazine.

NDTV also accused Nielsen and Kantor of operating worldwide through a complex web of subsidiaries and joint ventures and abusing the power of TAM's monopoly in India. TAM is India's only TV ratings firm.

The suit alleged that the defendants' acts have had a "catastrophic effects on customers, on the television industry, on customers and on viewers" around the world including the United States. TAM is a joint venture between global ratings giant Nielsen and Kantar Media Research, another leading international player in the audience measurement industry. NDTV is also seeking hundreds of millions of dollars more for other alleged wrongdoings including breach of duty, The suit singled out Nielsen, calling it a case "of a once noble company... exhibiting unabashed short-term greed".

The Indian reports quoted a Nielsen spokesman as saying the firm "has a longstanding policy of not commenting on pending legal matters" while an NDTV spokesman said the group would not comment as the case was under review. -AFP

• Kulim suspended on Thursday for corporate announcement
• Petronas Dagangan eyes regional airports to expand jet fuel biz
• KLCI ends in the red, BAT, UMW down (Update)
• Gloom lifted from MRCB Southern Link as ratings upgraded
• Malaysia's May inflation rate up 1.8% on-year
• Nazir: Bank of Commerce talks to conclude shortly
• Japan's exports pick up pace, give economy momentum
• Asia business sentiment rises in second quarter, global growth risk still dominates
• Moody's: Outlook on China's life insurance industry stable
• AIA and Public Bank offer new insurance plans
• Tambun Indah plans RM200m capex to expand landbank
• Tune Ins sees healthy growth as air travel, tourism pick up
• Nazir Razak: Rising likelihood of major reversal of hot money out from Asia
• Blue chips edge higher in volatile trade (Update)
• Eversendai tendering for RM8b of projects

• Singapore smog reaches record high (Updated)
• India monsoon floods leave 138 dead
• Turkey's 'silent man' vigils go on as protests fizzle out
• French floods claim first victim, Lourdes remains closed
• Thousands evacuated after blasts at Russian arms depot
• Bieber off hook after car hits photographer
• Mexico arrests man on FBI's top 10 Most Wanted list
• Disabled woman, US child held captive with snakes
• World's largest all-solar-powered boat shines in NYC
• Samoan airline introduces 'XL' class
• West Africa has world's worst piracy rate
• Congolese teacher admits killing elephants for ivory: WWF
• NASA enlists public in hunt for major asteroids

• Nadal seeded five at Wimbledon
• NBA: Heat beat Spurs to force game seven
• FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
• Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
• V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
• Springboks’ De Villiers may miss final
• Results worldwide
• Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
• Star Wallaby winger fit to face Lions
• Hesson laments NZ’s failure to grab chance
• Omega Pharma pin Tour hopes on Mark
• Shahidan needs Cabinet nod to hold posts, says Khairy
• Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
• Aussie Kulacz hopes to repeat 2009 Selangor Masters triumph
• India’s Anirban relying on short putter for success

• Please wait.

• Ex-judge calls for rebranding of vernacular schools
• Want a gun? Just print it out
• Inter-Pacific Research values AirAsia X at RM1.66
• Boy nabbed for buying air rifles
• Penang freak storm: Video clip of lightning arrester collapse uploaded on YouTube
• Perodua expects more competitive auto business environment
• Nazir Razak: Rising likelihood of major reversal of hot money out from Asia
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• Airsoft guns are easily available online