Lalit Modi will be shocked to read this. The IPL, considered unmatched when it comes to grabbing eyeballs on television, has suddenly found a strong competitor.
Going by what the Punjab deputy chief minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, has to offer, the IPL has not only been matched but also tripped by the ongoing World Kabaddi Tournament in Punjab in the fight for TRP ratings.
A press release issued by the State Information and Public Relation Department quotes Badal as saying, “According to TRP survey by the International Agencies, (the) World Cup Kabaddi has left the much touted IPL far behind, forcing the International broadcasters to rethink their communication strategy.” The release, however, doesn't mention the name of the agencies that carried out the startling survey. For the record, the tournament was broadcast on PTC channel.
Now, if this sounds far-fetched, there came another interesting claim pertaining to TRP ratings on Thursday. The Kings XI Punjab, which have had a terrible season both on and off the field, claimed they are the fourth most viewed team on TV. The franchisee, armed with the ratings issued by TAM Sports, said their average viewership has been 40 million per match.
This is amusing but not surprising. The Kolkata Knight Riders, which floundered at the bottom in the first two editions, continued to be the leading team in valuation and viewership despite their horrendous performance. Come to think of it, did the KXIP take a leaf out of KKR's book to ascend in the popularity (or notoriety) chart?
{{/usCountry}}This is amusing but not surprising. The Kolkata Knight Riders, which floundered at the bottom in the first two editions, continued to be the leading team in valuation and viewership despite their horrendous performance. Come to think of it, did the KXIP take a leaf out of KKR's book to ascend in the popularity (or notoriety) chart?
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