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#Thread #WPL #BCCI
Women’s Premier League: A good show indeed.
BCCI needs a pat on the back.
Let’s cut to the chase right away...
How was the #WPL broadcast received? Well, for starters, it delivered the highest viewership on any women’s event, globally.
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Women’s Premier League: A good show indeed.
BCCI needs a pat on the back.
Let’s cut to the chase right away...
How was the #WPL broadcast received? Well, for starters, it delivered the highest viewership on any women’s event, globally.
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The tournament clocked a per-user watching time of more than 50 mins per game and saw more than 10 million first-time users log in just for the final.
And yeah, quite a final it was! Best of the world's talent, backed by the best cricket ecosystems, putting a show out there!
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And yeah, quite a final it was! Best of the world's talent, backed by the best cricket ecosystems, putting a show out there!
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For a property that’s just about three months old – not since the first ball was bowled, but since inception – and that too on a platform (#JioCinema) that’s relatively new & just about warming up, and that too outside of men’s cricket…
… well, what can I say! : )
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… well, what can I say! : )
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Going forward, the future here is limitless.
But that said, are we here only for the money? Revenues are important merely to ensure property remains sustainable.
Beyond that?
Let me quote what one franchise said: Money? Oh, I'll earn that from IPL. Let WPL take its time!
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But that said, are we here only for the money? Revenues are important merely to ensure property remains sustainable.
Beyond that?
Let me quote what one franchise said: Money? Oh, I'll earn that from IPL. Let WPL take its time!
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Yes, let the WPL take its time.
Men's cricket took its time post '83 to begin reaching where it did. Give this time too!
As for the money: men’s IPL is delivering more than enough. In fact, going by the buzz, looks like IPL-2023 could turn out to be its finest year yet. : )
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Men's cricket took its time post '83 to begin reaching where it did. Give this time too!
As for the money: men’s IPL is delivering more than enough. In fact, going by the buzz, looks like IPL-2023 could turn out to be its finest year yet. : )
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Back to WPL.
Out of 44 innings in #WPL, 43 were 100+ totals, of which four 200+ totals. Remember that Sophie Devine 99 in RCB’s 189-run chase vs Gujarat in just under 16 overs? That happened at 12.19 runs per over – the peak strike-rate the tournament touched.
150+ sixes!
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Out of 44 innings in #WPL, 43 were 100+ totals, of which four 200+ totals. Remember that Sophie Devine 99 in RCB’s 189-run chase vs Gujarat in just under 16 overs? That happened at 12.19 runs per over – the peak strike-rate the tournament touched.
150+ sixes!
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And a lot more...
Mandhana & Perry in one team. Harman joining hands with the legend, Charlotte. Healy & McGrath in UP.
We're still looking at the possibilities? Endless!
But right now, let's focus on the 'Big Picture'. What did we consume & how are we going to digest it?
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Mandhana & Perry in one team. Harman joining hands with the legend, Charlotte. Healy & McGrath in UP.
We're still looking at the possibilities? Endless!
But right now, let's focus on the 'Big Picture'. What did we consume & how are we going to digest it?
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The #BCCI urgently needs to get one bit right with immediate effect.
The media coverage on the tournament was lagging – and not because the media went slow on it.
Participation from BCCI and the franchises was not enough. Franchises – I understand, BCCI – I can’t.
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The media coverage on the tournament was lagging – and not because the media went slow on it.
Participation from BCCI and the franchises was not enough. Franchises – I understand, BCCI – I can’t.
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Three of the five WPL franchises also have IPL teams. They have their own ecosystem, content platforms, websites, podcasts, YouTube channels etc etc.
So understandable they don’t want to share their talent with outsiders. As a franchise exec, I’d probably do the same.
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So understandable they don’t want to share their talent with outsiders. As a franchise exec, I’d probably do the same.
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The two new franchises are at the entry level and they needed adequate coverage, which I thought did not happen.
These new franchises clearly need to understand how this space works and build it up over the next few seasons. To be in the eye of the consumer is everything.
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These new franchises clearly need to understand how this space works and build it up over the next few seasons. To be in the eye of the consumer is everything.
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For instance, what kind of storytelling happened in this season’s WPL?
Stories need to come out if the world needs to know you better. Dressing room stories.
Men’s cricket is what it is because – among other things – we also grew up listening to stories about our ‘heroes’.
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Stories need to come out if the world needs to know you better. Dressing room stories.
Men’s cricket is what it is because – among other things – we also grew up listening to stories about our ‘heroes’.
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How can storytelling happen?
When there’s better communication between media & players. Imagine – women from different countries, cultures, sensibilities, eating habits, fashion sense, lifestyle, where they grew up, how they grew up…
The appetite to consume is immense.
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When there’s better communication between media & players. Imagine – women from different countries, cultures, sensibilities, eating habits, fashion sense, lifestyle, where they grew up, how they grew up…
The appetite to consume is immense.
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The potential for storytelling is immense.
When the IPL was starting, Lalit ensured only one thing – the media was eating from his hands. He made sure every single day IPL remained a newspaper’s top headline.
WPL needs that. Coverage needs to grow in abundance...
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When the IPL was starting, Lalit ensured only one thing – the media was eating from his hands. He made sure every single day IPL remained a newspaper’s top headline.
WPL needs that. Coverage needs to grow in abundance...
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But that said -- most other things signal a successful launch.
Look at the team compositions. Having five teams was a brilliant move by the BCCI. And auctions ensured that the best available talent was proportionately distributed.
That’s the idea of an auction anyway.
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Look at the team compositions. Having five teams was a brilliant move by the BCCI. And auctions ensured that the best available talent was proportionately distributed.
That’s the idea of an auction anyway.
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Yes, some matches did get too one-sided and another thing I noticed is – teams have got 90% of their compositions right. A bit here, a bit there – the remaining ‘10%’ resources need a relook from time to time.
Tweaking will happen. Tie a few ends & we’re good, I guess!
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Tweaking will happen. Tie a few ends & we’re good, I guess!
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I’m sure franchises will up the game in their own ways ahead of the coming season. Even in men’s IPL, they kept learning with each passing season.
Some teams took 3-4 seasons before they got it right.
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Also, what BCCI does from here will be interesting. Innovation is key.
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Some teams took 3-4 seasons before they got it right.
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Also, what BCCI does from here will be interesting. Innovation is key.
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Constant ‘innovation’ – yep, that’s what WPL needs.
What worked, what did not, needs attention. Put a team in place that’ll sit down and watch this season frame-by-frame and prepare a white paper. Just do the ‘basics’ and a ‘big picture’ will emerge.
Here's where work is.
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What worked, what did not, needs attention. Put a team in place that’ll sit down and watch this season frame-by-frame and prepare a white paper. Just do the ‘basics’ and a ‘big picture’ will emerge.
Here's where work is.
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First things first – stop taking offence at the drop of a hat to suggestions that are made from time to time. Remember, there are no free lunches and for all the joy in watching women’s cricket succeed – someone’s picking the tab for it.
So, respect the investor / sponsor.
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So, respect the investor / sponsor.
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Start of the tournament, I said – in the future the format may have to convert to ‘T10’. People took offence.
Why?
Remember, a property meant for TV cannot afford to get any bit ‘jarring’. Stands true for men’s cricket too.
But I do understand. Everybody doesn't 'get it'.
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Why?
Remember, a property meant for TV cannot afford to get any bit ‘jarring’. Stands true for men’s cricket too.
But I do understand. Everybody doesn't 'get it'.
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It’s just that men’s cricket is managing to sustain high levels of interest right now. But who knows what’s in store 10 years from now.
7 & half hours of cricket (ODIs) became too much & that's why we switched to 3 hours (T20).
And we're getting busier. Aren't we?
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7 & half hours of cricket (ODIs) became too much & that's why we switched to 3 hours (T20).
And we're getting busier. Aren't we?
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Stay open to ideas. Keep your ear to the ground and constantly try to figure what’s making the ecosystem tick and what isn’t.
Remember – there are only 2 stakeholders in sport. 1. Those who play it; 2. Those who watch it.
Find every possible way to connect the two.
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Remember – there are only 2 stakeholders in sport. 1. Those who play it; 2. Those who watch it.
Find every possible way to connect the two.
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The more effectively you connect the two, the better will the results be.
All said – a fantastic first season!
Streamed in 4k, multiple languages, prime time cricket – and all available for free on #JioCinema!
Kudos everyone who made it all possible.
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All said – a fantastic first season!
Streamed in 4k, multiple languages, prime time cricket – and all available for free on #JioCinema!
Kudos everyone who made it all possible.
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