(1 October 2005 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The ups and downs in the lives of the Fame Gurukul contestants have a direct relation to the shows' TVRs or so it was proved when last week, Arijeet was voted out from the Gurukul thus downing participants to the final four.

The episode, which was aired on 23 September garnered TVRs of 4.8 in the C&S 4+ Hindi speaking markets according to Tam data. The earlier high the show had got was of 4.4 TVRs in the week ending 9 September.

Source: Tam Media Research, Fame Gurukul TVRs, C&S 4+, HSM, Week 27-39/05

Also, the close to 47 million viewers (All India markets) and 40 million (Hindi Speaking markets) have been hooked on to Fame Gurukul. The channel claims that it has received more than 33 million votes from viewers till date.

Source: TAM Media Research, Fame Gurukul Reach(24hrs), Week 27-39/05

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Sony Entertainment Television India business head and executive vice president Tarun Katial said, "We have a lot of faith in this brand and it has mananged to create a complete new time band for Sony at 8.30 pm. In the last three years, no other show in this time band has managed to deliver like Fame Gurukul. Sony has seen a 200 - 300 per cent growth in the 8.30 pm band since Fame Gurukul's launch."

The show will come to an end in October. Two out of the four contestants - Arpita, Rex, Rooprekha and Qazi - will be fighting out to notch the 'Fame Jodi' title. Next month, the channel plans to build up more hype around the characters and the show.

"Now the urgency to favour the participants is extremely strong among viewers. Arijeet's exit from Fame Gurukul last week was what got more viewers hooked and as the show reaches its last leg we expect even more participation from the audience," Katial said.

Fame Gurukul has also seen a phenomenal growth across all market strata. According to Tam data, in the Hindi speaking markets the Monday -Thursday episodes of the show has garnered average TVRs of 3.6 per cent in week 39 as compared to 1.4 per cent when the show was launched (week 27), which is a growth of almost 157 per cent.

Source: TAM Media Research, Fame Gurukul primetime TVRs, C&S 4, Launch:Week 27 & Current: Week39/05. Figure in blue indicate % growth between launch & current week

On the other hand, the Friday episodes, which got average TVRs of 3 per cent in week 29 has now registered a 60 per cent growth with average TVRs of 4.8 per cent in week 39 according to Tam data. Fame Gurukul also has universal appeal across all demographics.