The current season of the IPL has passed its midpoint, but the excitement is not what it used to be. The initial craze that usually surrounds the IPL is noticeably absent this time. There is no tension, no nail-biting finishes—everything feels monotonous. While big scores are being recorded, they aren’t attracting fans. It’s not just the live audience in stadiums; television viewership has also taken a hit. This situation has left advertisers worried.
According to published data, the Television Rating Point (TRP) for IPL 2024 has dropped significantly. From an average of 4.57, it has fallen by 18.8% to 3.71. This means that compared to last year, far fewer fans are tuning in to watch the matches on TV. The total number of viewers has decreased from approximately 12.40 crore to 11.08 crore—a drop of nearly 26% in consistent viewership.
The decline is also visible in the advertising sector. In the current season, the number of brands and advertisers has seen a sharp fall.
Last year, there were 31 major categories of advertisers; this year, that number has dropped to 24. Only 44 new brands have joined this season, whereas in previous years, this number was consistently above 85.
Experts point to several factors for this dwindling interest: The IPL’s long schedule makes it difficult for fans to stay consistently engaged.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled immediately after the IPL, many fans are choosing to save their excitement for the international stage. The frequent high-scoring games (over 250 runs) have made the matches feel repetitive rather than competitive. For the average person, finding the time and energy to follow a two-month-long tournament every single day has become a challenge, leading to what many are calling “IPL Fatigue.”
