Indian news network NDTV has filed a 194-page lawsuit against audience measurement agency Nielsen, claiming US$1.3billion in damages.

According to various reports, NDTV claims that Nielsen has violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by manipulating viewership data in favor of channels that are willing to offer bribes to its officials.

The network also alleged that such manipulation of data has been going on for eight years, making the channel’s viewership rate appear lower than it actually was. NDTV is demanding at least US$810 million for fraud and at least US$580 million to compensate for revenue losses, according to the suit.