BCCI's IPL report: 100 crore net viewership and a net worth of INR 27,000 crore
The BCCI's annual report of 2015-16 has made some stunning claims. According to the report, the IPL brand is worth INR 27,000 crore or $4.5 billion. The report also claims that the net viewership has hit the 100 million mark and that it is currently the fastest-growing sporting event on Twitter.
"According to the Broadcast Audience Research Council of India, the total TV viewership of IPL 2016 calculated by impressions stood at 102 crores. A report by management consultancy firm KPMG puts the total impact of IPL 2015 on the Indian economy at Rs 1,150 crore, more than 0.6 % of the country's GDP," states the report according to Cricbuzz.
Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has seen an incredible rise in its popularity. The BCCI has recently issued an open tender for the broadcasting rights of the league for the next 10 years and the likes of Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) and Star Sports are battling for it. The broadcasters are likely to spend more than $4 billion for the rights.
"The IPL's been a sure-shot hit on the field and off it too. On the field, it has given the talented players a stage and a platform to exhibit their skills. It has brought the cultures of cricketing countries together and gives youngsters a unique opportunity to see the greatness in front of their eyes and learn from them. It has been the fastest-growing league in the world, and it has also changed the landscape of domestic sport in the country. After the IPL was launched in 2008, many other sports have started such leagues. Numbers prove that the IPL has set a benchmark, and at the BCCI, we're extremely proud of this.
"In a short span of nine years, the IPL has created a legacy of its own and changed the dynamics of cricket. It has been the catalyst to revive the culture of domestic sports in India, and many other sports have followed in its footsteps," BCCI president Anurag Thakur told TOI on Thursday.
The IPL is reportedly growing by 20% in revenue every year, and its title sponsors Vivo have paid around INR 100 crore to the Indian Board.
"The IPL is growing by 20% every year. It is a broadcasters' delight and a preferred platform for all the advertisers. Look at how Vivo (mobile company) has become a household name after becoming the title sponsor of the league. Expect the digital rights of the event to soar exponentially in the coming years, which is why they've been sold for only five years," said another BCCI official, reported Cricbuzz.
According to a recent survey, around 52% of the TV viewing households have watched the last edition of the tournament, with 361 million viewers being the total TV reach of the league. According to the BCCI, the net viewership of the league has hit the 100 million mark and that it is the fastest-growing sporting event on Twitter since 2014—at a whopping 300% growth rate. Kolkata Knight Riders have seen a 300% rise in its followers on Twitter since 2014, which is considerably more than the 204% growth rate of world's most popular football club Manchester United.