TV News: Weekend USA TV Ratings (Update)
The ESPN2 re-air of the Formula 1 Dutch GP last Sunday evening drew 125,000, bringing the total viewers for the race to 1.273 million.
September 7, 2022
Rating Analysis
NASCAR: The NASCAR Cup Southern 500 from Darlington on the USA Network led all ratings with 2.342 million viewers tuned in and a 1.37 TV rating. However, the TV rating was down 4.20% from 2021 on NBCSN and the viewership was down 4.76%. 20% of the viewers tuned in were in the all-important 18-49 year-old age group
The Xfinity Race on the USA Network on Saturday was down 17% from last year on NBCSN
Formula 1: The Dutch GP Formula 1 race on ESPN Sunday morning drew 1.148 million viewers and a 0.62 TV Rating, plus 102,000 fans in attendance. It was the largest audience ever for the Dutch GP. Viewership was up 32.87% and the TV rating was up 16.98% from last year on ESPN2. 46% of the viewers tuned in were in the all-important 18-49 age bracket, more than doubling all other forms of motorsports. F1 also had the most people in the 18-49 age bracket tuned in, even greater than the NASCAR Cup race, despite an overall lower TV rating. The highest rated local market was Austin, Texas at a 1.4 TV Rating. In 2022 the F1 races are averaging 1.3 million viewers, up 33 pct over ’21
F1 is alive and well and has a promising future. All other forms of motorsports in the USA are aging out and dying a slow death. F1 drew more viewers than the IndyCar race, despite being on a cable channel vs IndyCar on NBC. F1 has usurped IndyCar as the preferred open wheel series for American race fans.
IndyCar: The NTT Date IndyCar race from Portland moved from NBCSN last year to NBC this year. As such, the rating was up 41.86% and viewership was up 46.12% vs. NBCSN last year. Only 21% of the viewers tuned in were in the all-important 18-49 year-old age bracket, only 1% better than NASCAR, but trailing F1 by a wide margin.
MotoGP: The MotoGP race on NBC from San Marino Sunday drew 433,000 viewers and a 0.28 TV Rating, down 15.10% and 20.00% respectively, also on NBC last year.
NHRA: The NHRA All-Star race from Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on FS1 drew 278,000 viewers and a 0.24 TV Rating. The TV rating was even with last year, also on FS1 and the viewership up 4.91%
TV Ratings
| Network | Event | Location | Total Viewers | 18-49 Viewers | Ratio: 18-49 Yr Old/Total Viewers | 2022 Rating | 2021 Rating | Rating % Chg. | 2021 Network | 2021 Viewers | 2021 18-49 Viewers | Viewers % Chg |
| USA | NASCAR Cup Race L | Darlington | 2,341,000 | 474,000 | 20% | 1.37 | 1.43 | -4.20% | NBCSN | 2,458,000 | 516,000 | -4.76% |
| ESPN | F1 Dutch GP L | Zandvoort | 1,148,000 | 524,000 | 46% | 0.62 | 0.53 | +16.98% | ESPN2 | 864,000 | 354,000 | +32.87% |
| NBC | IndyCar Race L | Portland | 979,000 | 208,000 | 21% | 0.61 | 0.43 | +41.86% | NBCSN | 670,000 | 128,000 | +46.12% |
| USA | NASCAR Xfinity Race L | Darlington | 719,000 | 142,000 | 20% | 0.43 | 0.52 | -17.31% | NBCSN | 861,000 | 141,000 | -16.49% |
| NBC | MotoGP race | San Marino | 433,000 | 118,000 | 27% | 0.28 | 0.35 | -20.00% | NBC | 510,000 | 123,000 | -15.10% |
| FS1 | NHRA Funny Car All-Star Race | Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis | 278,000 | 38,000 | 14% | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.00% | FS1 | 265,000 | 50,000 | +4.91% |