IPL 2018: Teams and Sponsors not happy with the updated timings

The Indian Premier League is just three months away. The IPL Governing Council has already released the day of commencement of the league. The first match will take place in Mumbai on the 7th of April. The Wankhede stadium in Mumbai will also stage the finals of the IPL.

Also, there are talks about the broadcaster looking to overlap the doubleheader games. This they say as to increase the viewership and revenue generation. The TRP’s of the 4 PM games haven’t been great and the 8 PM games extend up to 12 AM the next day sometimes. Cricket commentator and analyst, Harsha Bhogle seemed positive about the change. However, the trouble seems to be brewing for the IPL GC and the BCCI as the other two crucial stakeholders, Franchisees and advertisers see little “sense” in the idea.

One persons’ gain is the other persons’ loss

Although Star wanted to overlap the matches to increase the viewership, the teams and sponsors might incur losses because of this. The idea of starting the first ties at 5.30 PM instead of 4 PM, and advancing the second header by an hour to 7 PM has not gone well with some of the franchisees. Brands putting their money on the precious marketing property are not happy with the likely changes either. Although the IPL GC sees this as a fair deal, there are to get a nod from all the franchises. Also, the franchises are yet to be informed about this officially.

“This is not an overnight development. This is so unfair that governing council has considered and discussed the procedure and the key stakeholders are not even informed formally about what could be such a major shift in IPL playing conditions. This should have been brought to our (franchisees) knowledge much earlier. This no emotional outburst. This will also have a serious bearing on our commercials and game plan,” a franchise management head told insidesport.co.

More than anything, the franchises are offended by the IPL GC’s approach. “The franchises are not in agreement with this proposal and will take it up with the IPL. They are in fact quite not very happy that something as important as this hasn’t even discussed with them,” Times of India has quoted sources familiar with developments as saying.

Two sides of the same coin

The brands who invest big amounts in the teams would seek certain commitments from the franchises. The best returns for them is the on-air broadcast and the viewership number. On contrary, the Star Network is targetting the primetime for the viewers. But, there would be many who will want to watch both the matches. This proposal could go either way with the fans who are the ultimate goal of it all. This could enhance the viewership or at the same time, the overall viewer count for a doubleheader might go down.

There are arguments and counter-arguments regarding the issue. The IPL GC should look to take a conscious decision keeping all the parties in mind.