IPL Broadcaster expecting more viewership than last year

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become one the most watched leagues, not just India but all over the world. With big names from world cricket participating in the league, the competition has only become further exciting. The tenth edition of the league is expected to further witness a rise in the level of the game and with that the viewership as well.

Broadcaster of the Indian Premier League – Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) confirmed that it had managed 14 sponsors for the tenth season of the cash-rich league, and was confident that the viewership this year would exceed last year’s 361 million. They also said that this edition of the PL will have coverage in five languages coverage across three channels.

“Last year it was nearly 361 million viewers and I am very sure the numbers will far exceed that again….We have already announced 14 sponsors for IPL this year which is a new record,” SPN India Executive VP and Business Head (Sony ESPN & SIX) Prasana Krishnan said.

He also said that it is tough to project a definite number since the base numbers keep changing. But appeared very sure that they will witness a substantial growth from the figures of the previous season.

“It is difficult to project a number (of viewers) because the base numbers have been changing. But I am very confident that there will be significant and healthy growth over that. My personal goal will be to cross 400 million. “We have already announced 14 sponsors and we are more or less sold out,” he said.

He had a diplomatic answer when asked about the expectations in terms of the revenue “That also (is) on course for a new record.”

When asked if former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu who is now a minister in the Punjab cabinet can be expected to feature in the tournament as a commentator, he said, “It is a decision that he and the Punjab government have to take. We would love to have him. He has been an integral part of IPL all these years and he is clearly one of the popular faces and voices.”

The tenth season of IPL will kick off on April 5 and it will have coverage in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Hindi and English.