The predator is on the prowl again. Last year, it feasted on the hapless saas-bahus of our television. The weekend reality shows were devoured easily. The ‘serial’ killer Indian Premier League is back. But will it be an easy catch for IPL again? Or is the prey going to put a up a brave fight?

Before we get the TV industry’s perspective, one needs to look at the predator too. IPL is finally getting under way today but not before it’s crossed many glitches and territories too.

Unable to guarantee security at the time of the Lok Sabha elections, the Indian government requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to postpone the cash-rich event. However, there was plenty at stake and so, in a bizarre move, the Board shifted the event out of the country. South Africa emerged as new home to IPL. Critics and some former cricketers denounced this move. After all, how can an ‘Indian’ domestic cricket tournament take place in a foreign land? The IPL was built on the premise of city-based-loyalty. Will, the South African public accept Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata as their own?

That’s an answer only time will tell. For now though, let’s see whether the industry still perceives IPL as threat or have they taken any defensive measures?

Months before the IPL, the word drumming in the industry was that of caution. Channel executives and the producers were toeing just one line – we’ll come up with new shows only after IPL. Sony has already pressed the revamp button whereby new shows are slated on go on air a day after IPL culminates. SAB too has opted for the safer option.

The big guns Colors, Star Plus and Zee too supposedly are following the same route.

Colors though can spring a surprise by launching a fiction show. Promos of Shreya Creations’ Bhagya Vidhata have been in full flow. It was earlier speculated that the show will launch in the first week of April. Launching a show during IPL, is it wise or suicidal?

Shreya Creations owner Sheel Kumar though is unperturbed and is confident about his chances if the show ought to come on air during the cricketing extravaganza.

“To me, this IPL has already lost its magic when it was shifted to South Africa. I’m not sure whether the South African public will come in large numbers to the stadia. If my show is the only show to launch during this period, then it should all the more work in our favour. The audience has a liking for fresh content. Last season, the IPL drew more ratings on weekends, so I don’t think the dailies will be affected much. Also, the impasse between Bollywood and multiplex owners means no big movie this summer. Thus people will switch to TV more,” opined Kumar.

Among the show the big show that will feel the brunt of the IPL is Colors and Sphere Origins’ numero uno show Balika Vadhu. However, they seem to have set a defensive plan. In the coming weeks, the show will witness the entry of two young men that will lead to certain dramatic events in the show.

Producer Sunjoy Waddhwa though disagrees that this track has been implemented as a guard against IPL.

“There’s no denying that IPL 2 will have a huge impact. In this country, God and cricketers are worshipped. Though it is competition, we haven’t set any track keeping the IPL in mind. IPL will last for five weeks and no daily can stretch a particular track for that period of time. Obviously, the show needs to have its dramatic moments, which keep the viewer interest alive. Though, we will be hit but Balika has its loyal audiences,” said Waddhwa.

Reality shows across the board have taken a beating. It’s likely to get even worse during the IPL. But there are some who are bringing the cricketing element into their show. Optimystix’s Comedy Circus Twenty 20 will project the game and the cricketers in a light vein. Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been roped as a judge while Jadeja’s colleague Vinod Kambli as a contestant.

Vipul Shah of Optimystix says, “Cricket is the flavour of the season and we’re just incorporating it into our show. Jadeja and Kambli will be the constant factors in our show. However, we’ll have a cricketing celebrity coming as a guest every week. We’re hoping to have legendary cricketer Kapil Dev on board. The response to our first couple of episodes has been good where we drew a TRP of 1.5. We’re hoping to maintain this through IPL.”

Cricket is undoubtedly the nation’s number one sport and the best medium of entertainment. However, this time around, the industry is adopting a wait and watch policy with regards to the IPL.

“For the first two weeks, we’ll monitor the performance of IPL. The ratings will denote the future course of action. Wait and watch is the mantra that ought to be followed during this period,” Waddhwa concludes.

Clearly, unlike last year the industry seems to have set defensive fields. As we write this, the action has already begun. IPL has taken strike and now it’s the initial score that will determine whether IPL goes on to achieve a mammoth total. And in the meanwhile all wait with bated breadth for the upcoming TAM ratings.