How Rupert Murdoch Changed Sports Media Forever
Formula 1’s surging popularity in the United States has resulted in yet another season of record viewership.
Broadcasts of F1 across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC averaged 1.21 million viewers per race — a 28% increase from the record-breaking 2021 season that saw 949,000 average viewers.
It’s the first F1 season in U.S. television history to average over 1 million viewers per race.
Additionally, 12 races individually set all-time American viewership records — including the brand new Miami Grand Prix, which was the most-watched live F1 telecast ever with 2.58 million average viewers.
The Japanese Grand Prix — which was repeatedly delayed and eventually shortened by rain — was not included in the overall viewership average.
F1 experienced a lot of success reaching the all-important young demographics.
The coveted 18-49 demo saw 521,000 average viewers per race, a 29% increase from 2021. Additionally, the 12-17 demo averaged 36,000 viewers per race — a 49% increase equating to the largest year-over-year increase among any age bracket.
Viewership among women was also up in 2022, averaging 352,000 per race — a 34 percent bump from the season prior.
The partnership between F1 and ESPN has been such a resounding success that the two entities agreed to a reported three-year, $255 million extension that will keep the championships’ races on the network through 2025.
