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MEC predicts 25% fall in viewership for IGT
MUMBAI: Reality television series India‘s Got Talent, which kicked off on Colors on 22 September, will see a 25 per cent fall in its opening viewership over last year, according to a forecast by MEC.
The GroupM media and analytics agency has predicted the show to score a debut rating of 2.4 among the 15 years+ age group in SEC ABC compared to a TVR of 3.18 in the last season.
The promo levels are currently similar to last year and, thus, there is nothing additional to drive viewership for a tight time slot, said MEC.
MEC alongside Meritus Analytics India has extended the same methodology to estimate IGT ratings as was used during Indian Premier League (IPL) and Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) forecast.
Earlier, the agency had predicted that KBC would clock 5.4 TVR in its opening weekend, 10 per cent higher than the previous edition.
MEC national director, analytics and insight Geetha Shiv said there will be duplication of audiences between KBC and IGT.
“Though the formats of KBC and IGT are completely different, both being reality shows there could be some duplication between audiences. With IGT being scheduled immediately after KBC in this season, there could be viewer fatigue which can lead to dip in rating compared to last season,” Shiv said.
According to MEC, the key influencing factors remain the same for IGT as in the case of KBC, which are: Program promotions on the channel, network and other channels, promotions across other media platforms like radio and newspapers, search volume index as a measure of viewer buzz, the base channel share of the airing channel.
The KBC and IGT were scheduled in non-conflicting time bands in the last season with KBC during weekdays and IGT during weekends.
Meritus Analytics managing partner Sunder Muthuraman added, “In difficult times, planning investments and ROI is critical. Forecasting trends and results help in doing the right levels of investment and avoid over/under spending. This applies to media business (and any business) today. Meritus has tested frameworks to help forecast results with given inputs and help businesses plan for better ROI.”
MAM
Barista partners Ginny Weds Sunny 2 with mango campaign
Cafe chain blends cinema buzz with summer menu and 20 per cent offer.
MUMBAI: Love may brew slowly, but marketing clearly doesn’t especially when coffee meets cinema and mangoes steal the spotlight. Barista Coffee Company has partnered with the upcoming hindi film Ginny Weds Sunny 2 as its official beverage partner, in a move aimed at tapping into youth culture through entertainment-led engagement. The collaboration is not just a logo placement exercise. Instead, Barista is translating the film’s high-energy vibe into its cafés with a themed summer menu titled “Main Hoon Mango”, accompanied by a limited-period 20 per cent discount on combo offerings across outlets.
Actors Medha Shankr and Avinash Tiwary feature in the campaign, seen engaging with the mango-themed menu inside Barista cafés, a visual cue designed to blur the lines between reel and real-life consumption moments.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how consumer brands are leveraging hindi film industry not just for visibility, but for immersive, on-ground engagement. By embedding the film’s narrative into its product experience, Barista is aiming to drive footfall, especially among younger audiences who increasingly seek experiential touchpoints over traditional advertising.
Barista Coffee Company CEO Rajat Agrawal described the partnership as both a branding and growth play, focused on expanding reach beyond the existing customer base and aligning with evolving consumer preferences.
The emphasis on a seasonal, flavour-led hook mango, one of India’s most culturally resonant ingredients adds a timely layer to the campaign, aligning with summer consumption trends while riding on the film’s promotional momentum.
For Barista, the move is part of a larger positioning shift. Rather than operating purely as a coffee retail chain, the brand is increasingly framing itself as a lifestyle destination, one that intersects with entertainment, conversation and shared experiences. By integrating cinema into its physical spaces, Barista is effectively turning cafés into micro-extensions of the film’s universe, where consumers do not just watch a story unfold but participate in it sip by sip.
The 20 per cent offer further nudges trial, lowering the barrier for consumers to engage with the themed menu while amplifying recall through a tangible incentive.
Brand-film collaborations are hardly new, but their execution is evolving. Where earlier partnerships relied on co-branded ads or product placements, the current playbook leans towards immersive storytelling and retail integration.
In that sense, Barista’s “Main Hoon Mango” push is less about promotion and more about participation inviting consumers to experience a slice of the film within a familiar, everyday setting. As the film industry continues to act as a cultural amplifier, such partnerships underline a growing truth, in today’s attention economy, it is not enough to be seen brands must be experienced.
And if that experience comes with a mango twist and a cinematic backdrop, all the better.
