Advertisers: cricket World Cup

Advertisers hooked on cricket World Cup

There is optimism surrounding the Cricket World Cup 2011 as advertisers make a beeline to advertise during the tournament, hoping to see the country win the title this time around.

According to officials at ESPN (the official broadcaster), on-air advertising is expected to fetch revenues to the tune of Rs 750 crore with two billion viewers across the world watching the matches being played amongst the top 14 cricketing nations. The country's sizeable population is expected to account for the biggest chunk of eyeballs and sponsors and advertisers are expected to pay rates that could go up to Rs 6.5 lakh for a 10-second slot on channels such as Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN for the India-specific matches.

There are 5,100 seconds sold for every ODI on each of the three channels on which the World Cup will be aired. The bulk of the matches will be shown on the Hindi feed in Star Sports and Star Cricket along with ESPN. There are still a few days left for the World Cup to begin and They have already sold 90 per cent of these channels' inventory.

It is the co-presenting sponsors such as Sony Bravia, Vodafone and Hero Honda who have spent the most on this property.  Almost 30 per cent of the ad spends have been by the main sponsors such as Sony Bravia, Hero Honda and Vodafone.