The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen a considerable drop in viewership as the tournament’s 2022 edition continues. According to a report by Financial Express, viewership has dropped by 35%.

According to India’s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), IPL 2022’s first week experienced a drop in TV viewership, with the first eight matches’ TVR of 2.52 compared to 3.75 last season.

A BCCI official explained that the big decline in viewership is due to the top franchises underperforming because they have the most fanbases.

“Let me admit, there is a dip in IPL viewership. But it is not due to cricket fatigue or anything as projected by the media. It is actually due to a dip in form for teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Between them, they have 9 IPL Titles, and they are very popular. As these teams are not doing well, it has affected the TV Ratings,” admitted the BCCI official.

IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel also spoke out publicly about the problem, saying that the figures are “not alarming.”

“There is a slight dip in viewership, but the numbers are not alarming. I don’t see them having any impact on the media rights sale,” Patel was quoted in media. “We also believe a lot of people are now watching the games at restaurants, pubs and clubs. What we see is one connection and hundreds of people watching.”

According to InsideSport’s internal research of IPL 2021 data, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings accounted for 41% of overall viewership previous season.

Their findings also revealed that one of the three IPL clubs, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders, were engaged in seven of the top ten most-watched matches last season.

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com