Weekend TV Ratings

UPDATE #2 The final rating for the Champ Car race in Toronto on ESPN last weekend was a dismal 0.3/1 share. So far having ABC/ESPN onboard has done nothing to improve the Champ Car ratings because the series still does not realize that driver popularity, and pretty much nothing else, drives TV ratings. We have said this for years (i.e. 'heroes' make a sport) yet Champ Car continues to focus on making 'the event' the big story. Yes, you need successful events but if you want higher TV ratings you must have popular drivers that fans want to tune in and watch week in and week out. The IRL's TV ratings are proving to be double that of Champ Car's this year because they are driven by the popularity of Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, etc. Champ Car is missing the boat in not researching and then publishing its worldwide TV numbers because they may paint an entirely different picture with regard to sponsor value. Relying solely on USA ratings when you have only two Americas in your series just isn't going to cut it. Also, the IRL races are broadcast on ESPN in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Champ Car has very limited international distribution because they did not, or were not able to do a deal, with ESPN International.

07/13/07 The final USA TV ratings for last weekend's races:

IRL: IndyCar Series: Watkins Glen ABC 1.0/3 share
American Le Mans Series: Lime Rock (taped) CBS 0.5/1 share
F1: Santander British Grand Prix Fox 0.7/2 share
NASCAR: Pepsi 400 at Daytona 3.8

07/09/07 The overnight TV ratings for races shown on network TV in the USA were:

IRL: IndyCar Series: Watkins Glen ABC 1.0/2 share
American Le Mans Series: Lime Rock (taped) CBS 0.6/2 share
F1: Santander British Grand Prix Fox 0.9/2 share