The IPL 2026 season in India has kicked off on a more subdued tone after initial data on television viewership has revealed a significant dip in viewer interest levels. According to viewer statistics from the first 15 games, there has been a dramatic drop compared to 2025. TV ratings have fallen from 4.57 to 3.71, indicating a decline of around 19%.
Moreover, viewers per minute have gone down from 10.6 million to 7.84 million, indicating an even sharper decline of 26%. Reach has also decreased from 123.96 million to 113.61 million.
Advertisers Cut Back Due to Changes in Watching Patterns
In addition to the dip in the numbers, advertisers too have backed off in the 2026 season. According to reports, the number of brands involved in the IPL is now down from over 65 last year to 45 in the current season.
Furthermore, the restrictions put in place regarding fantasy sports along with the increasing trend of OTT streaming sites are being cited as some of the factors causing this decline.
