IPL 11 viewership grows by 8% on Star Network in first eight matches

Viewership of the first eight matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 11 played on Star Network jumped 8.14% compared to the first eight matches of IPL 10 played on Sony Pictures Network, shows BARC India data (All India 2+)announced on Thursday.

For the record, IPL 10 had recorded a jump of 29.32% in viewership of the first eight matches over the same number of games of IPL 9.

The first eight matches of IPL 11 generated a viewership of 213.9 million Impressions against 197.8 million Impressions in IPL 10.

While rural viewership remained similar to that of IPL 10, urban viewership for the ongoing season spiked 14.98%compared to the previous edition.

The rural viewership stayed at around 89 million Impressions. The urban viewership for these matches rose from 108.8 million Impressions in 2017 to 125.1 million Impressions in 2018.

The first eight matches of IPL 9 had garnered 152.91 million Impressions (All India 4+). It must be, however, noted that BARC India had updated its methodology in February 2017, which led to a change in TG and IPL 10 was measured on All India 2+.

On the other hand, on the back of powerful marketing and the hype created by the communication strategy of Star India, the viewership of the Opening Ceremony almost doubled for IPL 11 compared to IPL 10.

Till IPL 10, Sony Pictures Networks India was the broadcaster of the tournament, which was simulcast on Sony Max, Sony Six (SD+HD), Sony ESPN (SD+HD).

After winning the telecast rights of IPL for five years at the cost of Rs 16,347.50, IPL 11 is the first season being telecast on Star India network, including 10 channels – Star Sports 1 (SD+HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (SD+HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports Select 1 (SD+ HD), Star Suvarna Plus, Star Maa Movies, Star Jalsha, DD Sports.

Nevertheless, one trend has remained the same, which is significant drop in the viewership of other genres, including Hindi GECs and Hindi and English news channels, during IPL matches.

Despite the fact that the gangrape case of a minor at Kathuain Kashmir was the top headline and the coverage was being followed across the country, leading to protests nationwide, the news channels still lost viewership.

The opening match of IPL 11 played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings was the most watched in the first week and clocked 35.9 million Impressions, followed by the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders with 35.1 million Impressions. The third most watched match was KKR vs CSK that gained 32.7 million Impressions.

During IPL 10’s first eight matches, the match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant was the most viewed match garnering 30.3 million Impressions, followed by the one between Gujarat Lions and KKR that clocked 29.7 million Impressions.

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