According to aMap, Amitabh Bachchan's small screen comeback as the pop philosopher on Color's 'Bigg Boss 3' has generated a record television rating point (TRP) of 6.0 for the launch episode aired on October 4.

'Bigg Boss 3' beat the first-episode ratings of Shah Rukh Khan's 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?' (TRP of 4) aired last year and 'Kaun Banega Crorepati-3' (TRP of 5.8) in 2007.

'Bigg Boss 3' also overshadowed the opening TRP of reality shows like 'Raakhi Ka Swayamvar' on NDTV Imagine (TRP of 3.7), 'Aap Ki Kachehri' anchored by ex-policewoman Kiran Bedi for the second season (TRP of 3.4) and Akshay Kumar-anchored reality show 'Khatron Ke Khiladi-2', also on Colors, was at 3.

aMap says the ratings of 'Bigg Boss 3' are double those of 'Bigg Boss 2' last year when actor Shilpa Shetty was the anchor, or Bigg Boss 1, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television three years ago.

'Bigg Boss 3' was watched by nearly 11 million viewers, almost double 'Bigg Boss 2', the viewership data shows.

Advertisers have expressed strong faith in the show that has attracted top spenders such as Vodafone, Sunsilk, Garnier, Max New York Life insurance, and GM Chevrolet among others.

"It is an interesting show that has always received higher ratings. Bigg Boss 3 will be able to sustain high viewership to meet our marketing objectives," says a senior executive of a leading brand that has bought on-air sponsorship time on Colors.

Industry sources reveal that Amitabh Bachchan has been paid Rs. 126 crore to host 'Bigg Boss 3'.