Little drop in viewership wouldn’t impact media rights sale for upcoming editions : Brijesh Patel

IPL being touted as the biggest cricket league in the world is facing dip in  30 percent viewership as compare to last year.

The current broadcasting rights are with Star Sports Network, who purchased it for five year cycle which is valid till 2022 on a record whooping amount of INR 16,347.5 crore. The new media rights are up for sale for next 5 years onwards and despite the viewership going down this year, BCCI have doubled the current sales amount for coming editions at high price of INR 32,980.

IPL Chairman, Brijesh Patel recently had a conversation with one of the media outlets, and responded to drop in viewership question to which he said- Yes the numbers have dropped but that is not an alarming sign and we are assuming a big amount for media rights for next five years onwards.

“There is a slight dip in viewership, but the numbers are not alarming. I don’t see them having any impact on the media rights sale,

He also added that things have opened up due to ease in COVID-19 restrictions and people are watching games from Pubs, restaurants along with watching it on the ground.

Things have opened up and people are traveling compared to what we faced in the past two years. We also believe a lot of people are now watching the games at restaurants, pubs, and clubs. What we see is one connection and hundreds of people watching,” the Chairman added.

15th edition of cash rich league is in progress with the 49th match will be played today between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and last year semi-finalist Royal Challengers Bangalore at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium(MCA) in Pune.

CSK have found their winning  mojo back after Jadeja handed over captaincy back to Captain Cool MS Dhoni.

It would be interesting to see how would emerge winner in this clash of the Titians contest between two powerhouse teams.