The first week of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) has seen a massive viewership drop of 33% as per the latest Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) numbers.
The first eight matches of the IPL 2022 had a TVR of 2.52, compared to the 3.75 it had in the last season. These numbers are for the dates March 26, 2022, to April 1, 2022. This happens just months before the next IPL Media tender goes for Auction.
Only two matches: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings (opening match) and Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings (Sunday MATCH) crossed the 100 million viewers. Last year, four matches crossed 100 million in the first week.
The overall viewership reach has also fallen by 14% to 229.06 million. In 2021, it was 267.7 million. Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi, which usually are at the top during IPL have slipped. Star Sports 1 Hindi is at the 3rd spot in the overall rankings of BARC indicating a downfall in IPL’s viewership in the 2022 season.
Eyeing a bid of close to Rs 50,000 crore rupees, the BCCI floated the media rights tender for the 2023-2027 IPL seasons. The BCCI will conduct an e-auction for the new bidders for the first time in IPL history and it will commence from June 12. The bigger question is, with the latest BARC rating indicating a downfall in viewership, will it affect the bidding process for the media rights?
