Shah Rukh Khan had declared that Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai will get higher ratings than IPL and the opening episodes of the show nearly proved him right. The first episode of Panchvi Pass garnered a rating of 4.7 while IPL matches on Max got slightly higher ie. 5. The second episode, however, was marginally higher than IPL at 3.7. IPL got 3.6 TRPs.

Naturally, Star Plus is thrilled with the performance of the show. Says Prem Kamath, Mktg. Head, Star Plus, “The show has helped the slot between 8 - 9 pm grow by 150 Per cent and it has emerged as the No.1 show across channels.”

The channel is also gleefully pointing out that among the `female’ target segment, KAPPTH? ratings are 58% higher than those of IPL (SET MAX) ratings on the same slot. Besides this, the show has managed to gain immense traction among the ‘Kids’ TG garnering 8.1 TVR among the Girls (10-14 years of age) and 5.7 among the Boys (10-14 years of age).

However, compared to KBC hosted by Shah Rukh Khan that opened with a rating of 12.33, Panchvi Pass at 4.7 seems to be extremely low. It could be that SRK with many appearances on TV thanks to his IPL association and endorsements is not a novelty on the small-screen as much as he was during his outing with KBC which saw his return to TV after a gap of 10 years. But Kamath disagrees. “It is a matter of prespective. During KBC the general ratings centred around 12-13 and now all round it hovers around 5 or 5.5.”

According to a release issued by the channel, the other general entertainment channels have been impacted adversely and seen a significant drop in numbers. The maximum blow has been to Zee TV whose 8pm to 9pm slot has decreased from 38% in the last 13 week average to 24% this week.

When contacted, Tarun Mehra, Business Head, Zee TV refuted Star’s claim that their ratings have dipped. “If anything, it is the IPL that is affecting the ratings to some extent. But after the initial euphoria of the matches, I am sure the women will weild control over the remote and come back to our shows,” he says. As for Paanchvi Pass, Mehra points out that if Paanchvi Pass has 4.7their numero uno show Dulhann is not far behind at 4.1. He quotes the eMAP data for May 2, according to which Paanchvi Pass has got just 1.6 while Dulhan aired between 8-8.30 pm has garnered 4 and Naginn aired between 8.30-9 pm has captured 2.9. Forget dipping, we are head and shoulders above them,” declares Mehra.

Star, however, doesn’t subscribe to eMap.

n