Average of first three IPL3 matches same as last year, but still short of IPL1 numbers

According to TAM Sports from TAM Media Research, the first three matches of IPL3 played on March 11 and 12, 2010 received an average rating of 5.0 TVR, which is the same as last season. This is despite all the hype and hoopla over the ‘homecoming’ series.

Moreover, these ratings are lower than the inaugural IPL season, which enjoyed TVR of 5.6 per cent, which also happens to be the highest rating received in the last three seasons. These numbers are according to TAM Sports, CS 4plus years, all India, for the period March 12-13, 2010.

The rating for each match also reiterates the fact that most of the viewership for IPL comes during primetime matches. This apart, unlike CS 4+, the ratings for digital CS 4+ happen to be more than IPL2. IPL3 received an average of 6.9 TVR as compared to 6.7 TVR in IPL2, which is a marginal increase.

While the television ratings this year may be more or less the same as last year, the average reach of IPL3 in the first three matches happens to be more than Season 2, which witnessed more reach than the inaugural IPL season despite being held in South Africa. The Day one and two matches of IPL3 witnessed a reach of 37.1 million among CS 4plus viewers, as compared to 29.4 million and 26.3 million reach, respectively.

Earlier, exchange4media had covered TAM ratings for six metros. The numbers of the opening match played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers generated 6.95 TRP for the target C&S 4+. The opening ceremony’s numbers stood at 2.86 TRP.

Whether these ratings show that IPL as a property has reached a tipping point and that it no longer has the novelty factor remains to be seen. Keep watching this space for more.