News Broadcasting
Pakraman 1, 2, 3… fatigue setting in?
MUMBAI: One can have too much of a good thing! Even cricket is not immune to this phenomenon. The following data which deals with the India Pakistan series over the past three years shows why.
Back in 2004, when India toured Pakistan after a long time, there was a huge sense of anticipation. Some of the ODIs on Ten Sports alone got TVRs of 10 and 12. The deciding ODI when DD is factored in delivered a magnificent combined TVR of over 22.
After this one would have thought that the sky was the limit. Wrong! In 2005 when Pakitan came down the maximum rating that DD was able to get was 6.68 for the ODIs. The average ratings was 4.41. This time around even with India winning the series the average rating on Ten Sports was 5.50. Ten Sports got a high of 6.86 for the fourth ODI.
For those wondering whether the sharing of feed had an impact this may come as a surprise. DD would not have added much. Ten Sports in fact managed better ratings than DD for the ODIs. Viewers clearly prefer Ten Sports to DD though the coverage may be exactly the same. It may be recalled that Ten had shared its ‘dirty’ feed with DD.
For the week 12 -18 Feb 2006 c&s 4+ Tam data shows that Ten Sports’ coverage of the ODIs got far better ratings than DD. In the Tam Top 100 c&s 4+ Ten Sports came in at number 11 and 12 for the third and fourth ODIs at a TVR of 6.9 and 6.8. The broadcaster also comes in at number 23.
DD meanwhile, came in at number 55 with a TVR of 2.7. Clearly viewers are not searching for the pubcaster on their remote control.
There is still the question of fatigue. An industry observer expressed some concern over this. After all ad rates are going up. However, he says that cricket will continue to attract a premium in terms of sponsorship as it has a passionate following that nothing else on television can match. He also points to the fact that any show once it has been on air will start experiencing fatigue. Perhaps with cricket the feeling is that it is immune.
The big question than is what kind of ratings would be delivered should India play a match with Pakistan during the Champions Trophy that takes place in September (telecast on Set Max and DD). Most observers believe the ratings will be better. That is because this is a unique event that does not happen too often (whatever may be the BCCI’s views on the matter). The same logic holds true for the World Cup. Some food for thought at a time when the BCCI has decided to have a series against Australia practically every year from 2007.
If there is a constant though in all this it is the fact that Test matches ratings were low compared to ODIs even in 2004 and will probably stay that way. Of course the period of play is much longer.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
