By IANS,
New Delhi : Around 90 percent of an estimated 130 million TV homes in India watched the grand Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, a Doordarshan official said Friday, a day after the mega event came to an end.
Doordarshan Director General Aruna Sharma said the closing ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here was watched by more people than the opening ceremony.
Around 67 percent, that is 87 million households, watched the Oct 3 opening ceremony, compared to 117 million who saw the closing ceremony.
Sharma said the public broadcaster changed its initial plan of airing advertisements during the closing ceremony following directions from the government.
Doordarshan had faced criticism over frequent commercial breaks during the opening ceremony but the public broadcaster said it was the best way to earn revenue.
Sharma said that the advertisements were accommodated in the run-up to the closing ceremony and during the highlights.
The closing ceremony started at 7 p.m. but the Doordarshan’s coverage began from 4.30 p.m.
The advertisers were informed about the change, Sharma added.
Doordarshan had hiked its advertisement rates for the closing ceremony.