MUMBAI: As the fourth edition of the Indian Premier league (IPL) enters the last lap of conclusion, the ratings are showing no signs of improvement.

The 68 matches fetched an average TVR of 3.8 compared to a rating of 5.5, according to data from TAM Sports (C&S, 4+, six metros). If the performance continues in this manner, this would mark the first time that the event would not have managed to reach a TVR of 4.

However, 155 million viewers have already seen the event this time compared to 143 million for the entire event last time, according to TAM Sports data for the All-India market.

During the week ended 21 May, two matches were played on Saturday. However, both of them failed to reach a TVR of 2, indicating that audiences might be suffering from an overdose of cricket.

In fact this is the first time in all the editions of the IPL that matches have not got at least a TVR of 2.

Of course, one of the matches between the Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors India was irrelevant in terms of seeing who would qualify for the playoffs. That match got a TVR of 1.58.

The other match on 21 May was between Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers. Punjab had a chance to qualify for the playoffs but despite that, viewers were indifferent and the match got a TVR of 1.78.

The last nine matches got a TVR of 2.77. Just one match in this period reached a TVR of 4. That was the one between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, which got a TVR of 4.11. This also was surprising considering that Shane Warne’s team won by 10 wickets.