IPL4: Inaugural match scores 7.14 TVR

The first match of IPL4, however, fails to attract as many viewers as in the first season, though the difference is marginal.

India's win at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 has not just secured a place for it in the history books of world cricket once again, it has also had quite an impact on the much glamorous Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to TAM Sports (C&S 4+, All India), the inaugural match of the fourth edition of the popular T20 format that was held between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8 has rated 7.14 TVR. Interestingly, in digital households, the opening match had a rating of 8.9 TVR.

This is a much higher score than the ratings fetched in the last season and in 2009's inaugural matches, during the tourney in the all-India market. In IPL3, the first match between Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders got a rating of 5.9 TVR, while in 2009, the first match held between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians had locked in a TVR of 5.1.

The first match of IPL4, however, failed to attract as many viewers as in the first season, though the difference is but marginal. The first match of the tourney's debut season had taken place between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, and had scored a 7.2 TVR.

The second and the third matches of IPL4 have been unsuccessful in pulling in as many viewers as compared to those in the last season. The second match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals on April 9 during IPL4 garnered 2.39 TVR, while last year, the second match (played between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals) had scored 3.7 TVR.

Additionally, the third match between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore, also held on April 9, scored 4.94 TVR. During IPL3, the third match between Punjab and Delhi had rated 5.4.

TAM Sports also reveals that within the six metros (C&S, 4+), 19.7 million viewers watched the first match. Meanwhile, 9.4 million viewers and 15.3 million viewers watched the second and the third matches, respectively.

The data also suggests that the 2011 opening ceremony of the cash-rich tourney has gained the highest viewership in the metros. The ceremony has scored a 3.33 TVR in 2011, as compared to 2.9 TVR in 2010, 0.26 TVR in 2009, and 2.9 in 2008.