Formula One is racing ahead in TV viewership

Televisionpoint.com Team
Formula Ones global television audience of about 150 million viewers rose by 1-2% this year compared with the previous campaign, according to a market-research companys report. Initiatives ViewerTrack 2005 Report puts Formula One in the “pole position” as the leading global annual TV sports event for marketers and viewers.

Ratings increased in the most-watched motor sport while those in many other sports declined, Nigel Geach, a director of Sports Marketing Surveys, said without giving more details. The Wisley, England-based company carried out research in 60 countries, he said. Though the overall viewership during the season increased, however, per race viewership fell by 3%. Markets like Spain and France saw 60% and 23% increase respectively in average viewership per race, mostly due to the success of Alonso (Spain) and Renault (France). The global increase in the number of viewers is due to the adding of the 19th race day in Turkey.

"Formula One bucked the trend, Other sports are becoming increasingly fragmented on television as their audiences go down. Formula One faces a challenge from A1 Grand Prix, a rival international series whose backers include an Arab Sheikh and Brazil soccer star Ronaldo. In its first season, A1 has an average TV audience of more than 8 million after five races, organisers said November 25." Geach said.

In Formula One this year, the Renault and McLaren-Mercedes teams battled for supremacy after a slump by Ferrari, for whom Michael Schumacher won the previous five driving titles. Renaults Fernando Alonso eventually held off McLarens Kimi Raikkonen to win the title by 21 points. More details from the report will become available this month, Geach said.