IPL beats serials in TV Rating Points !

The TV serials were destroying societal life when IPL zoomed on the horizon. The Audience's fascination with IPL is adversely affecting the TRPs ( Television Rating Points ) of TV serials.

After India's WC triumph, many speculated that interest in IPL will wane. ( But we, in our columns, predicted that IPL will be a huge success ! ). But such fears seemed to be unfounded, as IPL has now more TRPs than TV serials ! Initial numbers for 15 matches indicate that IPL has started on a firm footing. With an average of 5.16 rating for the first three matche played on Ap 8 and 9, IPL recorded higher ratings, than the WC, which stood at around 3.5.

The second week average for 12 IPL matches played from Apr 10 to Ap 16 stands at 4.2.

Says N P singh, COO< Multi Screen Mddia which owns Max, the IPL's official broadcaster.

"The average rating for last season was 4.7. This season the first match was sampled by 55.8 million viewers as compared to 42.6 million last year. Hence going by the initial response there is hardly any doubt that IPL has gathered furthur momentum and the ratings this year will be as strong as the last season if not more".

This momentum is expected to continue. S Tiwari, the head of programming, Imagine, says "As years are passing, IPL is becoming a stronger brand".

The WC triumph has only increased interest in IPL, rather than dent it. Says Singh " After India's victory in the final, viewers wait to see their favourite heroes and international stars on a different platform pitted against each other".

Incidentally, with around 40% female audience, female viewers, who are loyal viewers of soap operas, continue to view IPL matches. Cricketainment, ( a blend of entertainment, cricket, upsets and thrillers, stars, glamours and pundits ), another name for IPL, has sent entertainment channels on the defensive. While most channels launched new shows during the World Cup, the channels are now refraining from launching new shows, as it is IPL season. Admits Tiwary "It is not a good move to launch new shows"!