IPL HELPING SA20 SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith has paid tribute to the IPL backers of the SA20 and the huge Indian audience which helped boost the viewership for the competition. Picture: Sportzpics
Image: Sportzpics
Following the success of season three of the SA20, league commissioner Graeme Smith has revealed what a crucial role the Indian market has played in the competition.
The six franchises are backed by owners of the teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and there is also a huge viewership in India tuning in to watch the SA20.
While the improved turnouts at games in season 3 was a notable achievement, the numbers which watch on TV have a far greater impact on the financial success of the tournament.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Smith explained how important the Indian audience was to the SA20.
“Everyone that's involved, that has experience in cricket or knows that the Indian market is key to the game,” said Smith.
“The fan base is huge. You know, the commercial market is big. For us, besides the fact that six of our partners, originated in the IPL and have grown globally.”
Smith went on to explain that the only way to grow the tournament was by more people watching the games each season.
“We’ve got six IPL franchises that invested in the SA20. One of our biggest broadcast partners is over there now. When you want to grow and you want to challenge globally, you need the viewership and you need people to want to tune in.
“I think those ultimately become the success points if you want to maintain where you go in the future, how you grow. Viacom have been an integral part of backing the league in the beginning parts of when it was still a dream.
“We were still selling the opportunity. Now, obviously, three seasons in, we haven't received our broadcast feedback [yet].”
Tapping in to the massive cricket audience in India was an ongoing goal for Smith.
“If there's 600 million eyeballs who we are hoping to get, close to 200, 250 [million] on average in India.
“So, I think that really separates us from all the other leagues outside of India.”
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