F1 2006 TV ratings increase

With Michael Schumacher dominating Formula One for a number of years, worldwide F1 television ratings have fallen or been stagnant. However, 2006 saw a ratings increase with the performances of drivers such as Räikkönen and Alonso.

Audiences increased again in Finland (MTV3 having a 67.4 per cent average market share for live broadcasts, and putting more than one in five of the population in front of their television set).

Audiences increased sharply in Spain (up from 6.7 per cent in 2004 to 10.2 per cent in 2005 on Tele 5), following Alonso's success.

In France, Renault's comeback saw TF1 increase its ratings with more than 3.7 million viewers on average per Grand Prix.

Germany and Italy, not surprisingly given Schumacher and Ferrari's decline, recorded the most significant drops in TV ratings. However, both countries still count among the biggest followers of the sport. In Germany they averaged more than 6.9 million viewers on RTL per race and 6.6 million in Italy on Rai.

The series has continued its expansion into other territories. In China for example, CCTV5 delivered more than 6.9 million viewers during the Hockenheim Grand Prix.

The figures are provided by Eurodata TV Worldwide. Created by Médiamétrie, it distributes programming and audience information.