NEW DELHI: Royalty is a great draw among commoners, even if it isn't the desi Mughal-e-Azam kind. So, when Katherine Middleton stepped out in that ivory lace Emma Burton gown, 42.1 million viewers in India held their breath at the sheer elegance of the visual. Not surprisingly, viewership among women above 18 was up by 25%, according to audience measurement agency aMap.

Stoked by details or the lack of them surrounding the Will-Kat wedding, viewers across the world tuned in to watch the truly British spectacle, and Indians were hardly going to be left behind. Speculation on the wedding gown, the guest list, the accessories and who would wear what had got many interested in the royal nuptials.

The only event that has matched the royal wedding in viewership interest so far has been cricket. Political developments like the trust vote faced by UPA-1 was watched by a mere 9.5 lakh people.

The recently concluded World Cup that saw big ticket matches like India vs Pakistan and India vs Australia in the run-up to the final had fired viewership. According to data collated by aMap, the semi-final against Pakistan was watched by 67.3 million people. This unprecedented number was topped by the WC final clash between India and Sri Lanka that was viewed by 67.6 million people.

In comparison, the first match of IPL-4 attracted a viewership of 18 million. While the fourth edition of the league is expected to increase in popularity in the coming weeks, it has seen the weakest opening since its launch. Women are responsible for the slump in the current IPL season and the keen interest in driving up viewership in the Will-Kat wedding.

Jiniti Shah, aMap vice-president, said, "Viewership among housewives increased as they were glued to watch every detail of the wedding ceremony, the designer clothes and the grand affair."

While market share of English news channels increased by 15%, viewership among women jumped by 25% as compared to the average of last four Fridays.