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Small screen's IPL blues?
It's been over two weeks and the high octane addiction called IPL is back. Unlike last year, this year IPL fervor is at a strong position causing threat to GECs in terms of TRPs. For last three weeks, GECs' viewership is representing a steep decline in TRPs. But, is it IPL or the digitization in 38 cities or both of them together causing the drop in GEC viewership?
WEEKDAY GOING WEAK?
For last two weeks, the top five prime-time shows have been quite badly hit by the T20 wave. In week 15, Diya Aur Baati Hum 3.9 (to last week's 4.2), Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara 3.2 (to last week's 3.5), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 3.1 (to last week's 3.3), Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 3.0 (to last week's 3.2) and Madhubala ' Ek Ishq Ek Junoon garnered figures 2.7 (to last week's 2.9). Sumeet Mittal, producer of Diya Aur Baati Hum and Punar Vivah says, "Every year even though IPL gets an additional viewership of atleast 30 million, it does not affect the TRPs of daily soaps. Industry insiders feel digitization might be a reason but, it's yet to be confirmed."
NEW INNINGS AT STAKE
High octane IPL has definitely affected the newly launched daily shows. Chhanchhan 0.8 (to last week's 0.9), Dil Ki Nazar Se Khubsoorat 0.5 points for two weeks, Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan 0.9 (from 1.1), Saraswatichandra 1.7 (from 2.0), Amita Ka Amit, an exception to have gained 0.1 point's, is on 0.8 (from 0.7, thanks to the wedding track), Sanskaar ' Dharohar Apno Ki is 1.3 and Bani ' Ishq Da Kalma on 1.0 respectively. Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary says, "We are a cricket crazy nation, so IPL manages to grab viewership. TV soaps have their own loyal viewers. It's a part of their routine and hence it's extremely difficult to break their habit for something that happens once a year." And usually, most producers prefer to play it safe. Vipul D Shah, producer says, "When we launched Chhanchhan a week prior to launch of IPL 6, we thought it will give enough time for audience to sink in to the show. But currently, it doesn't seem that good."
'WEAK'END'S PITCH?
For GECs, the only silver lining has been the weekend shows. Talk of Nach Baliye ' Shriman v/s Shrimati 2.4 (Sun), 2.7 (Sat); India's Best Dramebaaz 2.0 (2.5) Sun, 2.0 (1.9) Sat; CID 2.3 (2.2) ' they've helped in changing the fortunes. Vipul D Shah says, "Weekend shows with strong content are popular. People assume that the reason for a drop in TRPs is digitization ' but, IPL 6 is going strong as well. Unlike last year, people aren't facing cricket fatigue (World Cup was followed by IPL 5). So there's definitely a strong chance of IPL cutting into GECs' performance."
Coming weeks will tell what steers the TRPs, whether it's IPL or prime-time. Till then, we're keeping a close watch.
WEEKDAY GOING WEAK?
For last two weeks, the top five prime-time shows have been quite badly hit by the T20 wave. In week 15, Diya Aur Baati Hum 3.9 (to last week's 4.2), Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara 3.2 (to last week's 3.5), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 3.1 (to last week's 3.3), Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 3.0 (to last week's 3.2) and Madhubala ' Ek Ishq Ek Junoon garnered figures 2.7 (to last week's 2.9). Sumeet Mittal, producer of Diya Aur Baati Hum and Punar Vivah says, "Every year even though IPL gets an additional viewership of atleast 30 million, it does not affect the TRPs of daily soaps. Industry insiders feel digitization might be a reason but, it's yet to be confirmed."
NEW INNINGS AT STAKE
High octane IPL has definitely affected the newly launched daily shows. Chhanchhan 0.8 (to last week's 0.9), Dil Ki Nazar Se Khubsoorat 0.5 points for two weeks, Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan 0.9 (from 1.1), Saraswatichandra 1.7 (from 2.0), Amita Ka Amit, an exception to have gained 0.1 point's, is on 0.8 (from 0.7, thanks to the wedding track), Sanskaar ' Dharohar Apno Ki is 1.3 and Bani ' Ishq Da Kalma on 1.0 respectively. Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary says, "We are a cricket crazy nation, so IPL manages to grab viewership. TV soaps have their own loyal viewers. It's a part of their routine and hence it's extremely difficult to break their habit for something that happens once a year." And usually, most producers prefer to play it safe. Vipul D Shah, producer says, "When we launched Chhanchhan a week prior to launch of IPL 6, we thought it will give enough time for audience to sink in to the show. But currently, it doesn't seem that good."
'WEAK'END'S PITCH?
For GECs, the only silver lining has been the weekend shows. Talk of Nach Baliye ' Shriman v/s Shrimati 2.4 (Sun), 2.7 (Sat); India's Best Dramebaaz 2.0 (2.5) Sun, 2.0 (1.9) Sat; CID 2.3 (2.2) ' they've helped in changing the fortunes. Vipul D Shah says, "Weekend shows with strong content are popular. People assume that the reason for a drop in TRPs is digitization ' but, IPL 6 is going strong as well. Unlike last year, people aren't facing cricket fatigue (World Cup was followed by IPL 5). So there's definitely a strong chance of IPL cutting into GECs' performance."
Coming weeks will tell what steers the TRPs, whether it's IPL or prime-time. Till then, we're keeping a close watch.
Anupamaa
Current Affairs
