IPL takes a toll...GECs tumble down in numbers

IPL season 5 is in its full swing and in a country where cricket is considered to be religion, millions are thoroughly enjoying the contest between bat and ball. Now, there has always been a debate whether GECs would manage to retain viewership and garner numbers given the onslaught of the IPL fever. And folks…popular channels have tumbled in the number game. Apart from Life OK, every other GEC saw declining figures in week 15 of TAM ratings. Here is the lowdown of the happenings on the TRP ladder; Star Plus retained its number one position with 262 GRPs but it hit a lesser score than its last week’s figure (271). Perched on the second position is Sony Entertainment Television with 206 GRPs (last week 211). On third position is Zee TV, which has slipped below 200-mark, collecting 192 GRPs (last week 203). We must add that the channel needs to pull up its socks to compete with Sony which has managed to gain quite a bit of lead. Colors is rated number four on the TRP ladder with 190 GRPs (last week 203). Furthermore, SAB TV is on number five with 122 GRPs (last week 125). Interestingly, Life Ok is the only channel which managed to go up in numbers. The channel has earned 85 GRPs (last week 80). Sahara One is going stable with 46 GRPs and Imgaine TV, which announced its sudden closure last week, managed to gain 57 GRPs (last week 64). This is for the last time the channel will be mentioned in a TRP story. Alas, but true!!! All in all, GECs collectively lost 50 GRPs, courtesy IPL season 5. Before signing off, here’s the list of top five shows; Star Plus’ Diya Aur Baati Hum (4.5), Saath Nibhana Saathiya (3.6), Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai (3.3), Zee TV’s Pavitra Rishta (3.1) and Colors’ Balika Vadhu (3.1).