MUMBAI: The top 10 shows on the Hindi general entertainment channels have skid 8.8 per cent during the IPL playing window as compared to the two-week earlier period, though some have taken a milder knock than the others.

The GEC genre share has seen a bigger tumble, falling by 12.35 per cent, from a 56 per cent share before the IPL (28 February-13 March period) to 49.08 per cent during-IPL period (14 March-17 April), according to Tam data for C&S 4+, Hindi-speaking market.
 
The two shows that have lost the most in this GEC-IPL tug-of-war are Colors’ Balika Vadhu and Star Plus’ Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. While Balika Vadhu has seen a fall of 26.68 per cent ( 4.9 TVR to 3.6 TVR), Yeh Rishta… has slid by 25.2 per cent (6.8 TVR to 5.1 TVR).

On the contrary, the show that has actually pulled up Star Plus’ GRP grades is Pratigya, featuring a 31 per cent rise during the IPL period.
 
Zee TV, on the other hand, has seen a positive IPL period with Dance India Dance-2 showcasing a 15.38 per cent upswing during its two-day runs (Friday-Saturday) while Jhansi Ki Rani has lost out by a mere 4 per cent (4 TVR – 3.8 TVR).

Says a top channel executive on condition of anonymity, “It has been a positive IPL for Zee TV. The channel that has witnessed a bigger fall is Colors with Balika Vadhu losing its leadership position at the 8 pm slot. Star Plus has actually remained stable, while Zee has moved up consistently.”
 
While there has surely been an IPL impact on the GEC audience viewership, advertising volumes across the general entertainment space have not faced the blow. What has come down is the advertising rates for some of the entertainment shows.

Explains a top executive from a media agency, “Since last two months, channels are on an absolute high as the inventories remain full house. Yes, due to the IPL the ad rates may have gone down a little, but broadcasters anyway were prepared for this waft and have devised their own strategies to minimise the overall impact.”