The reason why ratings are consistently dropping for all the top GECs in markets like Delhi, UP and Punjab is because there's a huge amount of viewership happening on the second TV set, which is not getting captured. The study showed that almost 30 per cent of homes in these markets have a second TV set and it was making an impact.

"We did an analysis on who views them and what kinds of programmes are watched on the second TV set versus the first TV set. We found that on Sony, a lot of sampling happens on the second TV set on new shows like Indian Idol before the show becomes popular. Even on Star Plus, the shows like Kyunkii... and Kasauti... are largely viewed on the first TV set. On the other hand, the new shows like Dekho Magar Pyar Se were watched on the second TV set because maybe the younger women in the house were more interested in that. Then we also tracked programmes that males and kids watched on the second TV sets," informs Sohrabji.