Television ratings have nose-dived for the opening games of the much-hyped Indian Premier League this season, according to figures released on Thursday.

Television Viewer Ratings (TVR) were down 18.7 percent in the first six games compared with the same period last year, said Tam Media Research, India's leading television research agency.

Viewing figures also dipped last year, when the event's fourth edition began less than a week after India's victory in the World Cup at home in Mumbai.

Since its inception in 2008, viewing patterns have showed high interest in the IPL's opening and final weeks with a sharp decline in the middle.

IPL captains stand during the opening ceremony of IPL V.