IPL 2022 Viewership: Big Blow to IPL as TV Ratings drop by 28% in Second week, Advertisers Concerned

IPL 2022 viewership has seen a sharp drop for the second week in a row. According to BARC data, ratings took a significant hit in the first week itself as there was a drop of 33%. Following a decline in the second week as well, advertisers are alarmed about the ON-AIR performance of this year’s edition.

“This wasn’t expected. The IPL Ratings are way below-par. The ratings have never fallen this much. It’s almost 20-30% down and just imagine we have paid 25% more than last rates. We have already reached out to Star Sports for a solution”

– A Top ON-AIR Advertiser

Also Read: Will Deepak Chahar get the IPL auction price after being ruled out?

According to data collected from BARC, the first week of IPL 2022 drew a TVR (Television Rating) of 2.25. Compared to last year, the TVR for the opening week was billed at 3.75, signifying a drop of 33%.

In addition, the overall reach of IPL 2022 has also seen a drop. While the reach of the opening week of the 2021 IPL edition was touted at 267.7 million, this year saw only 229.06.

IPL 2022 VIEWERSHIP: Possible Reasons For Ratings Decline

Many fans took to social media to express possible reasons for this nose-dive in TV audiences. While some cited ongoing exams as a reason, many seemed to blame the addition of new teams GT & LSG. Additionally, the poor performance of top teams MI & CSK in this year’s edition didn’t help much.

More teams
Less quality cricket
Less audience

— Hota Hai Vro (@dan_dsouza18) April 15, 2022

Sir still exams are going on ? Something to ponder on. It's the first time IPL has seen this kind of massive drop in Viewership in the first 14 days. Especially when there is virtually no top cricket being played elsewhere in the World@KShriniwasRao https://t.co/yuaRUODbCx

— Abdullah (@AbdullahSid892) April 15, 2022

Till June the exams will continue, it just started in April. whereas in normal times exams end by mid March and a new academic session start by April. So yes you will see a drop!! +

— Souraj Datta (@souraj_datta) April 15, 2022

Reasons of TV rating drop as compared to 2021
1) During 2021 IPL the world was not that much open as it is now (in terms of lockdown)
2) No exams were about to start in 2021 IPL
3) People prefer to watch on hotstar than TV @KShriniwasRao

— Cricket Ki Batein (@ManayavV) April 15, 2022

Moreover, people nowadays choose to stream the match live on Hotstar rather than watch it on TV. While this year’s edition continues to bring forth mouth-watering clashes, sponsors remain in dismay.

Will this Drop Affect Purchase of Media Rights Tender?

The battle for IPL broadcasting for 2024-2027 will be taking place on June 12th. While the bidders will have an eye on the ratings, its decline is unlikely to impact the bids.

Meanwhile, the tender documents have been purchased by five significant players, according to current information. Within the first week of the BCCI publishing the tender paperwork, Disney Star, TV18-Viacom (Sports-18), Amazon, Zee, and Sony had already purchased them. The last date to purchase the ITT (Invitation to Tender) on 10 May. The rights will be sold through an E-Auction on June 12th.

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