I have been following most of the IPL matches. Good way to reduce the stress for me. It is an open secret that Lalit Modi introduced the strategy break to push more ads. I hate this not only because it upsets the flow of the game but also strategically (from advertising POV), I don’t think it makes a lot of sense as the audience is well aware of the break and promptly switch channels or take a break themselves. Many times, the audience get engrossed in a different channel or take up some work which will not get them back to the match post the strategy break. In essence, people not only are not watching the ads during the break but also may not watch the ads post the break. I’m sure Lalit Modi, the smart marketer that he is will realize this howler and make the necessary correction.
However, a stranger thing that I noticed is the forced ads of “Fly Kingfisher” for any third umpire decisions. Even in the case when both the batsmen were at the same end, the third umpire takes an unimaginably long time to come out with the decision and during this time, the camera focuses on the “Decision Pending” screen with Fly Kingfisher ad all over. Is there an arrangement between the broadcasters and Kingfisher? My guess is there has to be one.
Posted by paddy 