The first episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 3 (KBC3) hosted by Shah Rukh Khan on Star Plus got a rating of 5.35 from aMap, a television rating agency.
The rating system that was set up in 2004 tracked the viewership (age group 4 plus) of KBC3 in the Hindi speaking states such as Rajasthan, UP, MP, Maharashtra and Gujarat among others.
The aMap analysis shows that KBC3 opened with a viewership share of 24 per cent, which was much higher than the 12 per cent share of the two serials (Virasat and Karam Apna Apna) on Star Plus that it replaced.
aMap's rating system is different from that of its rival television monitoring agency TAM. "Last week, Star's highest rated show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi had a TVR of 4.5 in our system. KBC has performed better than that," says aMap chief Tapan Pal.
The aMap data show the viewer retaining power of the programme was very high. This means that though its viewership dipped during commercial breaks, almost all the audiences came back to the show after the break. Among the 20 brands that were advertised during the one-hour show, Motorola's Motophone was the most watched ad on the show.
Star India sources, however, say that aMap rating is not widely accepted. "Wait for the TAM data and you will know that we have started with a bang. Over the duration of the 52 episodes, our average television rating will not be less than 18," he added.
