MUMBAI: The semi final that topped the ratings heap last week was a mere trailer.

The latest lot of the TRPs, just in, reaffirmed cricket's hold on audiences with SET Max sweeping the stakes with 31 of the top 100 spots in the cable and satellite households across the metros. Despite the final turning into a non starter over two days of extended play, the match on Sunday commanded an impressive rating of 14.21, a figure unmatched for months by either game show or soap. In all, Sony's sports channel came a close second to Star Plus' 44 shows. Last week, Star had a total of 53 shows in the top 100 while SET Max had 13 shows.

Four of the top 10 slots went to the sports channel in the C&S category, while the channel made an inroad even in the all TV homes, where Doordarshan usually has the numbers. However, while the match shown on the public broadcaster garnered a TRP of 9.52 on 29 September while the next day's play got the pubcaster a TRP of 8.75. Max, on the other hand, managed a TRP of 8.42 in all TV homes for play on 29 September and a TRP of 7.56 for play the following day.

This tournament was deemed the trial run for the World Cup in March. If the Indian team shows the kind of form that was on show at the Champions during the World Cup next year in South Africa as well, Sony will be laughing all the way to the bank.