• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Fox Fuels IndyCar’s Best Start in Years With 1.4M Viewers

The IndyCar Series has moved from NBC Sports to Fox Sports this season, and the 2025 season-opening race drew big TV ratings.

Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

The IndyCar Series had a strong debut race on Fox Sports, as Sunday’s 2025 season opener drew 1.4 million viewers on the main Fox broadcast network, according to Nielsen ratings. 

Fox has taken over IndyCar’s media rights from NBC Sports, which was the league’s sole TV partner from 2019 to 2024. Fox is believed to be paying roughly $25 million annually for IndyCar rights.

The TV ratings for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg are up 45% from last year’s race, which drew an audience of 974,700. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Álex Palou beat his teammate, Scott Dixon, to take home the checkered flag in Florida. 

Sunday’s race was also the most-watched non–Indianapolis 500 IndyCar broadcast since 2011. Last year’s Indy 500 drew an average of 5.34 million viewers on NBC, which was up 8% over 2023.

All 17 IndyCar Series races this season will be shown on the main Fox broadcast network, giving the circuit more reach than it previously had—something IndyCar CEO Mark Miles previously told Front Office Sports was a priority. In 2024, NBC aired 10 of the 18 race broadcasts, the USA Network cable channel showed six, and Peacock had two exclusive streams.

Start Your Engines

The IndyCar race may have provided a boost to Fox’s NASCAR broadcast Sunday, too, or vice versa. The network drew 4.13 million viewers for Christopher Bell’s victory at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, which is up 25% over the 2024 race. IndyCar and NASCAR aired back-to-back at noon and 3:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

Fox is also in the first year of new media rights for NASCAR, which total $7.7 billion over seven years, with the addition of Amazon and TNT Sports, alongside incumbents Fox and NBC Sports. The Fox Sports NASCAR schedule will run through the All-Star Race on May 18.

Last month’s Daytona 500 drew 6.76 million viewers, which was the most-watched sporting event of a crowded weekend that included the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off and NBA All-Star festivities.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl acknowledges the crowd after the game as Auburn Tigers men's basketball takes on Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Texas A&M Aggies 75-58.

Bruce Pearl Joining TNT As College Hoops Analyst

Pearl retired as Auburn Tigers coach last month.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (12) celebrate their first and third place at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Mercedes F1 Team Rides With Russell, Antonelli Despite Verstappen Link

Russell took the Formula One seat at Mercedes in 2021.

Texas-Oklahoma Gets 8.7M Viewers, Most-Watched CFB Game of Week 7

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched game of the weekend.

MLB Postseason TV Ratings Surge to Highest Levels Since 2010

Audiences continue to grow, extending a season-long trend.

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.