TOI: Shows hope to regain TRPs-Byah

Prime time enlivens itself up with shows expecting to regain lost TRPs post the cricket carnival called IPL. Read on...
Cricket season just like any season comes in cycles, for sure. And with the conclusion of the T20 season, tube tales are taking a U-turn to weave that TRP magic again. The past couple of weeks witnessed the resurgence of TVRs of shows like Diya Aur Baati Hum, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and Balika Vadhu which had marginally lost their viewers in the recent times owing to the cricket fervor.

During the week of April 8 to April 14, Diya Aur Baati... got a TVR of 4.79 while in the week of May 13 to May 19, the show witnessed an increase in TVR to 5.15; a marginal yet formidable improvement signifying shows making a comeback so far as number of eyeballs are considered. While joining the bandwagon is the show Balika Vadhu which had got a TVR of 3.31 (April 8-14) witnessed a gradual surge in TVR to 5.03 (May 13-19) according to TAM reports. The same could be said about the TVR chart of Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai. While TVRs of CID and also other shows on prime time fluctuated throughout the IPL season.

While Tellytown is only elated about the resurgence, there is one sentiment that is common — to keep going and deliver strong content to win the audience back. Producer Hemal Thakkar says, "There is recovery, for sure. Definitely post the IPL season, marginal change in TVRs is expected. One will come to know about the actual viewership figures only after this."

Producer Sumeet Mittal says, "Male viewership which left the prime time during the IPL to a certain extent had affected the numbers." According to Mittal, the photofinish last ball climax of most of the IPL matches had made some dent on the viewership pattern. "The climax of the IPL matches have captured everyone's attention this time. Now that the cricket carnival is over, the tempo is upbeat with the TRPs set to fare definitely better," says Mittal.

At the same time, actor-producer JD Majethia who's just launched his latest telly offering Byaah Hamaari Bahu Ka is optimistic about everything falling into the place from now onwards. "The buzz factor that IPL has is amazing, which completely outdid the show promotions. And cricket in India has a strong recall value. During that time even a cutting edge promo would have found it hard to work wonders. Now is the time where show promos can get maximum eyeballs."

With a motive to getting back their loyal viewer on the prime time, small screen is pinning hopes on one magic wand —content.