TV biggies see shrink in viewership in second week of shows' launch

Mahabharat and Bigg Boss, the two big ticket shows launched by STAR Plus and Colors, seem to be losing traction with the audience as both programmes showed loss of viewership in the second week of the launch. Sony's Kaun Banega Crorepati also suffered a similar fate.

Mahabharat, which launched with a first week viewership of 6.36 million ,shed 838,000 to reach 5.52 million, a fall of 13.18 per cent in week 39 (September 22-28). Bigg Boss seemed to do slightly better as its viewership fell 5.3 per cent in week 39, clocking in 4.81 million against 5.08 million in its launch week (week 38, September 16-21).

The biggest loser among the big ticket shows was Kaun Banega Crorepati, which airs on Multi Screen Media's general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment Television. It lost 958,000 to rake in 5.18 million, 15.62 per cent lower than the previous week's viewership of 6.13 million. This was the show's third week since launch.

"While the overall viewership has fallen for the GECs, one can notice that the novelty of the big launches is wearing off. My guess is that Bigg Boss will be able to bounce back. The other shows, however, we shall have to wait and see," says a media observer.All four top GECs (Star Plus, Colors, Sony and Zee Tv) ended up losing viewership. STAR Plus managed to maintain its number spot, but lost 28.27 million to end the week at 506.32 million (534.59 million in week 38). At number 2 was Colors with 458.41 million, down 21.48 from the previous week's 479.89 million. Zee came in at number 3 with 384.11 million (down 29.59 million from previous week's 413.71 million). Sony slipped to number 6, below Life OK and Sab TV, losing a massive 41 million to end up with 286.08.

The second rung GECs from STAR India and MSM, Life OK and Sab TV, respectively, gained heft viewership numbers in week 39. Life OK came at number 4 (334.31 million in week 39 as compared to 331.318 million in week 38) and Sab TV, the highest gainer, at number 5 (331.77 million in week 39 as opposed to 289.47 million in week 38).