Date:02/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/04/02/stories/2004040201200600.htm

Back ODI series: Rawalpindi draws the most

Our Bureau

Chennai , April 1

EIGHTY-EIGHT million people watched the second Samsung Cup one-dayer between India and Pakistan, a figure that is over 20 per cent more than the viewership for the preceding Karachi one-dayer, the first in the historic series. That match had then created a record with 70 million viewers.

The figure, which represents the `reach', measures the number of people who saw the match for at least a minute.

Viewers above the age of four in cable as also non-cable homes were taken into account.

Data sourced from the TAM Media Research's Peoplemeter System, which measures television viewership, indicates that over 60 per cent of potential viewers (called the `universe') tuned in to watch the match, compared with about 50 per cent in the first one.

Two factors would have helped the Rawalpindi one-dayer garner such viewership numbers, according to industry sources. First, it was a day-night encounter, and a substantial number of office-goers would have had the opportunity to watch.

Second, India's victory in the first match could have also boosted viewership.

Significantly, the reach for the third one-dayer, a day match played in Peshawar, was 71 million (the reach percentage nearly touching 50 per cent), which was roughly what was clocked during the first match. Interestingly, India lost the second one-day international.