Media Management and Production

Programming, ratings and distribution

30 Previous Year Questions from 2006–2025 · answers and explanations included

Visual recall · Audience-to-revenue path

Programme→audience measurement→scheduling→distribution→revenue

Year-frequency chart

306
107
111
412
413
315
116
417
118
220
123
424
125
Previous Year Question practice

Questions, answers & explanations

Open each answer after attempting the question.

30 of 30 questions
Question 1 of 30Original Question No.: 21Asked in: December 2006 Paper II

The combined circulation of newspapers, according to the latest report of the RNI is:

  1. Less than 5 crores
  2. Between 5 - 10 crores
  3. Between 10 - 15 crores
  4. More than 15 crores
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

D. More than 15 crores

The keyed response is option 4, “More than 15 crores”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 2 of 30Original Question No.: 29Asked in: June 2006 Paper II

Assertion (A): The ratio between circulation and readership of newspapers is not a constant factor. Reason (R): Circulation is always less than the readership

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true
  2. Both (A) and and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation
  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false
  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Both (A) and and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation

Option 2 states the keyed relationship between the assertion and reason: Both (A) and and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation. Check each statement first, then test whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Question 3 of 30Original Question No.: 33Asked in: June 2006 Paper II

Assertion (A): Media penetration has reached its peak in India. Reason (R): The user-friendly technology has helped the media to spread fast.

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true
  2. Both (A) and and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation
  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false
  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

A. Both (A) and (R) are true

Option 1 states the keyed relationship between the assertion and reason: Both (A) and (R) are true. Check each statement first, then test whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Question 4 of 30Original Question No.: 10Asked in: December 2007 Paper II

The period when commercials are to be broadcast is identified as:

  1. prime time
  2. break time
  3. time channel
  4. time message
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. break time

The keyed response is option 2, “break time”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 5 of 30Original Question No.: 17Asked in: June 2011 Paper II

Which of the following is a mismatch?

  1. The Dinamalar – Tamil
  2. Malayala Manorama – Malayalam
  3. Rajasthan Patrika – English
  4. Navbharat Times – Hindi
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. Rajasthan Patrika – English

The keyed response is option 3, “Rajasthan Patrika – English”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 6 of 30Original Question No.: 64Asked in: December 2012 Paper III

Match List – I with List – II: List – I List – II a. Daskathia 1. Kerala b. Koodiyattam 2. Odisha c. Raslila 3. Maharashtra d. Keertana 4. Manipur Codes: a b c d

  1. 1 2 3 4
  2. 4 2 1 3
  3. 2 1 4 3
  4. 3 4 1 2
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. 2 1 4 3

Option 3 gives the keyed pairing or order: 2 1 4 3. Reconstruct the dates or associations in programming, ratings and distribution before comparing the four sequences.

Question 7 of 30Original Question No.: 65Asked in: December 2012 Paper III

Match List – I with the List – II: List – I List – II a. Mathrubhoomi 1. Odisha b. Dinamalar 2. Kerala c. Sadhana 3. Tamil Nadu d. Dharitri 4. Gujarat Codes: a b c d

  1. 3 2 4 1
  2. 4 1 2 3
  3. 2 3 4 1
  4. 1 4 3 2
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. 2 3 4 1

Option 3 gives the keyed pairing or order: 2 3 4 1. Reconstruct the dates or associations in programming, ratings and distribution before comparing the four sequences.

Question 8 of 30Original Question No.: 70Asked in: December 2012 Paper III

Which is the correct order of the following newspaper houses in India in terms of circulation and revenue?

  1. Dainik Bhaskar, The Hindustan Times, Jagran, The Times of India
  2. The Times of India, Jagran, The Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhaskar
  3. The Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Jagran
  4. Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, The Hindustan Times, The Times of India
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. The Times of India, Jagran, The Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhaskar

The keyed response is option 2, “The Times of India, Jagran, The Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhaskar”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 9 of 30Original Question No.: 6Asked in: June 2012 Paper III

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s main revenue source for a long time was

  1. Government subsidy
  2. Licence fee
  3. Public donations
  4. Sale of bonds
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Licence fee

The keyed response is option 2, “Licence fee”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 10 of 30Original Question No.: 4Asked in: September 2013 Paper II

Interaction with media contents and critically analyzing them is known as

  1. media convergence
  2. media literacy
  3. media analysis
  4. media critique
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Correct answer

B. media literacy

The keyed response is option 2, “media literacy”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 11 of 30Original Question No.: 14Asked in: September 2013 Paper II

A single value that represents a typical score in a distribution is known as

  1. limited value
  2. terminal factor
  3. critical value
  4. central tendency
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Correct answer

D. central tendency

The keyed response is option 4, “central tendency”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 12 of 30Original Question No.: 52Asked in: September 2013 Paper II

Assertion (A): Of late, the third sector in India has been making an effective use of media, including online, to reach different publics. Reason (R): Media are basically anti-establishment and have supported the third sector campaigns always. Codes:

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true.
  2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Option 2 states the keyed relationship between the assertion and reason: Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).. Check each statement first, then test whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Question 13 of 30Original Question No.: 72Asked in: September 2013 Paper II

Why do individuals use content as per their choice?

  1. Structured content
  2. Access to content
  3. Free from physical distribution
  4. Preferences
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Access to content

The keyed response is option 2, “Access to content”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 14 of 30Original Question No.: 50Asked in: December 2015 Paper III

Syndicates decides __________.

  1. Which news stories to publish or reject.
  2. Which subjects should be reported in media.
  3. Which news articles or features should be released to newspapers and other news organisations.
  4. Which copy of Press Information Bureau should reach news media and which should not.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. Which news articles or features should be released to newspapers and other news organisations.

The keyed response is option 3, “Which news articles or features should be released to newspapers and other news organisations.”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 15 of 30Original Question No.: 55Asked in: December 2015 Paper III

Assertion (A): Media distribution and consumption reflect a process of de-territorialisation. Reason (R): Spatial location is not a justifiable argument for the dominance of the US in the distribution of media products. Codes:

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true.
  2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

A. Both (A) and (R) are true.

Option 1 states the keyed relationship between the assertion and reason: Both (A) and (R) are true.. Check each statement first, then test whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Question 16 of 30Original Question No.: 64Asked in: December 2015 Paper III

Identify the correct order of the following newspapers circulationwise, as per ABC (2014) figures:

  1. Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Malayala Manorama
  2. Malayala Manorama, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan
  3. Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Malayala Manorama, Dainik Bhaskar
  4. Hindustan, Malayala Manorama, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

A. Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Malayala Manorama

The keyed response is option 1, “Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Malayala Manorama”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 17 of 30Original Question No.: 33Asked in: July 2016 Paper III

is a simultaneous real time distribution of any media.

  1. Networking
  2. Broadcasting
  3. Protocol
  4. Transferring
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Correct answer

B. Broadcasting

The keyed response is option 2, “Broadcasting”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 18 of 30Original Question No.: 9Asked in: January 2017 Paper III

Media of the second degree were dependent on

  1. oral distribution
  2. technical reproduction
  3. handwriting
  4. internal distribution
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Correct answer

A. oral distribution

The keyed response is option 1, “oral distribution”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 19 of 30Original Question No.: 54Asked in: January 2017 Paper III

Assertion (A): The ‘unreal’ quality of digital information has far-reaching effects for audiences, media companies, and the society. Reason (R): The digital media information has neither physical presence nor time barriers. Codes:

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true.
  2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

A. Both (A) and (R) are true.

Option 1 states the keyed relationship between the assertion and reason: Both (A) and (R) are true.. Check each statement first, then test whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Question 20 of 30Original Question No.: 32Asked in: November 2017 Paper III

A time period that precedes or follows prime time on television is identified as:

  1. Stage time
  2. Trial time
  3. Adjacent time
  4. Fringe time
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Correct answer

D. Fringe time

The keyed response is option 4, “Fringe time”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 21 of 30Original Question No.: 65Asked in: November 2017 Paper III

The sequence of language wise circulation of newspapers, as per ABC report of (Jan - June 2016) is:

  1. English, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi
  2. Hindi, English, Malayalam, Tamil
  3. English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam
  4. Hindi, Malayalam, English, Tamil
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Hindi, English, Malayalam, Tamil

Option 2 gives the keyed pairing or order: Hindi, English, Malayalam, Tamil. Reconstruct the dates or associations in programming, ratings and distribution before comparing the four sequences.

Question 22 of 30Original Question No.: 95Asked in: July 2018 Paper II

Match List - I with List - II: List - I List - II (Commissions) (Country) (a) Royal Press Commission (i) Sweden (b) The Hutchins Commission (ii) The UK (c) Media Ombudsman (iii) The US (d) Press Commission (iv) India Code: (a) (b) (c) (d)

  1. (ii) (iii) (i) (iv)
  2. (iii) (i) (ii) (iv)
  3. (i) (ii) (iv) (iii)
  4. (iv) (ii) (i) (iii)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

A. (ii) (iii) (i) (iv)

Option 1 gives the keyed pairing or order: (ii) (iii) (i) (iv). Reconstruct the dates or associations in programming, ratings and distribution before comparing the four sequences.

Question 23 of 30Original Question No.: 8Asked in: June 2020 cycle - 24 September 2020, Shift II

What is the difference between communicative action an

  1. Communicative action is interpersonal, strategic actio u
  2. Communicative action deals with people, strategic action deals with societies.
  3. Communicative action happens before elections, strategic action happens during elections.
  4. Communicative action tries to achieve mutual understanding, strategic action colonizes other people's lifeworld and is manipulative.
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Correct answer

D. Communicative action tries to achieve mutual understanding, strategic action colonizes other people's lifeworld and is manipulative.

The keyed response is option 4, “Communicative action tries to achieve mutual understanding, strategic action colonizes other people's lifeworld and is manipulative.”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 24 of 30Original Question No.: 100Asked in: June 2020 cycle - 24 September 2020, Shift II

Quality regulation of media means

  1. Rejection of media freedom
  2. Limiting circulation of new ideas
  3. Tension between free speech and regulation is warranted
  4. Consideration of both political climate and social norms
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

D. Consideration of both political climate and social norms

The keyed response is option 4, “Consideration of both political climate and social norms”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 25 of 30Original Question No.: 45Asked in: December 2023 - 13 December 2023, Shift II

Identify the correct statements: A. Lenin Welcomed Radio as ‘paperless newspaper'. B. Lenin provided all facilities for invention to engineers for development of Radio technology. C. According to Lenin, loudspeakers and speakers have been developed in such a way that hundreds of receivers may be easily produced. D. Newspaper read in Britain can be listed on radio throughout Britain. E. Transistor revolution has facilitated the reach of radio to millions of people. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. B, C, D and E only
  2. A, B, C and E only
  3. C, D and E only
  4. E, C and D only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. A, B, C and E only

The key selects option 2: A, B, C and E only. Test every listed statement independently; the answer is the combination containing only the valid statements.

Question 26 of 30Original Question No.: 3Asked in: June 2024 - 3 September 2024, Shift II

Who invented the phonograph?

  1. Guglielmo Marconi
  2. Thomas Edison
  3. Galilio
  4. Herald Inis
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. Thomas Edison

The keyed response is option 2, “Thomas Edison”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 27 of 30Original Question No.: 11Asked in: June 2024 - 3 September 2024, Shift II

A motion picture:

  1. Cannot create its own time and space
  2. Can create only time and not space
  3. Can create its own time and space
  4. Can create only space and not time
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. Can create its own time and space

The keyed response is option 3, “Can create its own time and space”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 28 of 30Original Question No.: 25Asked in: June 2024 - 3 September 2024, Shift II

The language of newspaper ‘Swadesamitran' was.

  1. Sanskrit
  2. Tamil
  3. Urdu
  4. Hindi
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Correct answer

B. Tamil

The keyed response is option 2, “Tamil”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 29 of 30Original Question No.: 74Asked in: June 2024 - 3 September 2024, Shift II

Find the correct combination to complete the Norbert Wiener’s work cybernetics: or control and communication in the ______ and ______. (A) Man (B) Woman (C) Animal (D) Child (E) Machine Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. (D) and (E) only
  2. (C) and (E) only
  3. (A) and (B) only
  4. (B) and (D) only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

B. (C) and (E) only

The keyed response is option 2, “(C) and (E) only”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

Question 30 of 30Original Question No.: 22Asked in: June 2025 - 25 June 2025, 3-6 p.m.

siad 2 i 3: Which is/ are television Programme scheduling strategies? A. Stripping B. Hammocking C. Bridging D. Themming E. Audience Flow Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. B, C, D, E Only
  2. A, C, D, E Only
  3. A, B, C, D Only
  4. B, C, D Only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer

C. A, B, C, D Only

The keyed response is option 3, “A, B, C, D Only”. It directly fits the factual or conceptual cue in this programming, ratings and distribution question; use the other choices as contrast points during revision.

References

  1. Question papers and answer keys: UGC NET Mass Communication and Journalism — December 2006 Paper II; June 2006 Paper II; December 2007 Paper II; June 2011 Paper II; December 2012 Paper III; June 2012 Paper III; September 2013 Paper II; December 2015 Paper III; July 2016 Paper III; January 2017 Paper III; November 2017 Paper III; July 2018 Paper II; June 2020 cycle - 24 September 2020, Shift II; December 2023 - 13 December 2023, Shift II; June 2024 - 3 September 2024, Shift II; June 2025 - 25 June 2025, 3-6 p.m..
  2. Pringle, Peter K., and Michael F. Starr. Electronic Media Management. 5th ed.
  3. Vizjak, Andrej, and Max Ringlstetter, editors. Media Management: Leveraging Content for Profitable Growth.
  4. Alexander, Alison, et al., editors. Media Economics: Theory and Practice. 3rd ed.
  5. Thompson, Roy, and Christopher J. Bowen. Grammar of the Edit. 2nd ed.
  6. University Grants Commission. UGC NET syllabus listing, Subject Code 63: Mass Communication and Journalism.