978 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

POST UPDATED ON JUNE 18TH, 2011

As some of you guys know, I along with some others on various other forums, have been doing "research" into the past and present Formula One television ratings. The figures are all between the time period 1992 to 2011 - for some years figures are a tad sketchier, and for qualifying a few figures are missing, but on the whole it gives a good picture at how the ratings have changed in the UK over the years.

To start off, here are some basic statistics concerning the races. I've done three tables - one as a whole, one covering races in the "America-zone" and one covering races in "daytime" - reason being that races in the America's rate higher as they are in "primetime" (i.e. the time most people are watching television):

Top 10 Race Broadcasts
01 - 08.80m - 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
02 - 08.10m - 1992 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
03 - 07.52m - 1999 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
04 - 07.37m - 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
05 - 07.24m - 1998 Canadian Grand Prix (ITV1)
06 - 07.15m - 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
07 - 07.08m - 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
08 - 06.84m - 1997 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
09 - 06.73m - 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
10 - 06.70m - 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)

As expected, the last race of 2008 is top - a British champion in primetime was always bound to bring in bigger figures than in daytime. As proven there - F1 will most of the time have bigger figures in primetime than daytime. Now, let's break down the above into American races and European races:

Top 10 "American" Race Broadcasts
01 - 08.80m - 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
02 - 07.52m - 1999 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
03 - 07.37m - 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
04 - 07.24m - 1998 Canadian Grand Prix (ITV1)
05 - 07.15m - 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
06 - 07.08m - 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
07 - 06.84m - 1997 Brazilian Grand Prix (ITV1)
08 - 06.60m - 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix (BBC1)
09 - 06.38m - 1999 Canadian Grand Prix (ITV1)
10 - 06.23m - 1998 Argentine Grand Prix (ITV1)

This table is dominated by ITV1. Two reasons for this. The first one is that BBC put their "American" races either on tape delay or on BBC Two so it didn't interfere with their primetime schedule when they had the contract until 1996 - the highest Brazilian GP rating from 1992 to 1996 for instance was 6.0m in 1992. Second reason for the above is well, "Coronation Street follows this programme". Well, viewers of that programme would have tuned in to find cars racing around, which may explain the high figures above as their soap was delayed by 20 minutes. My third race table, is for European races:

Top 10 "European" Race Broadcasts
01 - 08.10m - 1992 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
02 - 06.73m - 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
03 - 06.70m - 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)
04 - 06.40m - 1995 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
05 - 06.12m - 1995 European Grand Prix (BBC2)
06 - 06.10m - 1992 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC2)
07 - 05.87m - 1998 British Grand Prix (ITV1)
08 - 05.78m - 1993 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
== - 05.78m - 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (BBC1)
10 - 05.77m - 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)

One thing you'll notice is hardly no ITV1 races. The charts that I'll post below will show a steady decline for Formula One from 1999 onwards, due to lack of British talent and Schumacher dominance. The only two races that do enter the top ten are 1998 Britain (Hakkinen/Schumacher battle) and 1997 Europe (Villeneuve/Schumi) - nothing from 2000 for ITV enters the top 10. I think we'll need a table "Top 10 Europe 21st century only" Race Broadcasts - lets see if we notice something....

Top 10 "European" Race Broadcasts (21st century only!)
01 - 05.78m - 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (BBC1)
02 - 05.08m - 2011 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
03 - 04.98m - 2000 Monaco Grand Prix (ITV1)
04 - 04.85m - 2000 European Grand Prix (ITV1)
05 - 04.83m - 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix (BBC1)
06 - 04.80m - 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (BBC1)
07 - 04.76m - 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix (BBC1)
08 - 04.75m - 2000 British Grand Prix (ITV1)
09 - 04.71m - 2010 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
10 - 04.69m - 2010 British Grand Prix (BBC1)

As you can see only now is F1 having a resurgence due to the closer, more exciting racing.



I think the above, while there is a margin of error as I don't have every single figure (as some are too low) show how much F1 declined. The biggest single drops are 1997 from 1996 (change of broadcaster), 2000 from 1999 and 2004 from 2003 - obviously not helped at all by Schumacher's dominance. 1993 from 1992 did have a drop also - but I don't have many figures for those years. The thing that surprises me is that, even when his dominance ended, figures stayed low, maybe the public just thought "Different guy, same domination story". ITV were lucky that Hamilton came along in 2007 - the above graph demonstrated that with him, figures very quickly returned to 2001/02 levels. Had Hamilton not come in, I would guess that figures would have continued to decline. With the 'more exciting' F1 now in 2011, F1's ratings are now heading upwards.

And onto the last bit - qualifying. I'm not doing a top ten - because a few figures are missing, so it doesn't really give a complete picture. The highest figure, for anyone interested is 5.16 million for the 1996 Argentine Grand Prix qualifying. The next best thing is 4.4 million which is for the rain affected Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying in 2009 (for Asian sessions I combine live and re-run rating as the live rating is not big at all - this helps to get a more complete and better picture). The graph above shows a huge increase for 2009. The average for 2009 qualifying is only 1.6 million behind the race average. Qualifying has performed much more better since moving from ITV. One thing that surprised me was the 2006 average - it is pretty accurate seeing as I've got 14 of the 18 qualifying ratings. Considering the new format was to make qualifying more attractive - it appeared to do the opposite to TV ratings - not high at all. 2006 seemed a pretty shite year for UK TV ratings. I thought a German would be more unpopular in England than a Spaniard? Maybe its just me! To round off - thanks to EmilioLargo, rzt and iaindb for helping me get figures and filling in a few gaps along the way!

If you do read this thread - please leave a thanks, if anyone has any analysis for other countries, please share it - did F1 have a similar decline in other countries? It'd be interesting to see. Also, if anyone does get access, or has a load of past UK F1 ratings, ping me a PM - and I'll see if I don't or do have them.

Edited by D.M.N., 18 June 2011 - 15:45.

[Alexis*27]

Qualifying will always be lower than the race because it's not as interesting (usually). Which begs the question - with two slots on two days - why doesn't F1 have two races?

• Saturday: half hour qualifying, half hour sprint race
• Sunday: full GP

Ratings would jump on Saturdays. They've always had this idea that qualifying is just something that has to be done, rather than an integral part of the show. Whilst it's format has been tweaked, people will always prefer racing to cars driving and a stopwatch.

Edited by Alexis*27, 21 July 2009 - 16:27.

[D.M.N.]

Qualifying will always be lower than the race because it's not as interesting (usually). Which begs the question - with two slots on two days - why doesn't F1 have two races?

• Saturday: half hour qualifying, half hour sprint race
• Sunday: full GP

Ratings would jump on Saturdays. They've always had this idea that qualifying is just something that has to be done, rather than an integral part of the show. Whilst it's format has been tweaked, people will always prefer racing to cars driving and a stopwatch.

I'm not doubting that - qualifying isn't meant to rate higher by any stretch of the imagination. I don't really want to see sprint races just to win a TV audience to be honest.

It's a bit like a football competiiton - the group stages rate lower than the final; in the same way qualifying rates lower than the race. Besides the thread wasn't actually meant to directly compare qualifying with race - it was meant to show the difference as years have passed.

Edited by D.M.N., 21 July 2009 - 16:33.

[undersquare]

Thanks DMN

[Ross Stonefeld]

Aren't most football matches in Europe played on Saturday afternoons?

[TheArmchairCritic]

Aren't most football matches in Europe played on Saturday afternoons?

Season ends in May and starts late August. That's Monaco > Valencia. Even so as much as i love Football, i'd rather watch F1.

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 16:47.

[cheapracer]

The decision by Bernie to have Abu Dhabi as the final race .. the championship finale...

Way cool, dinner then the final at 7.30pm

[TheArmchairCritic]

BBC website lists Abu Dhabi race as 11:00 UK time, which is perfect as it means lie-in and then breakfast while watching Button celebrate his title. Doesn't clash with my football team either . I do miss Monza and Singapore though which could be McLaren's best chance's to win a race , bloody football
http://news.bbc.co.u...dar/default.stm

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 16:59.

[D.M.N.]

Way cool, dinner then the final at 7.30pm

Abu Dhabi in Asia = 11am start time = no high viewing figures.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Abu Dhabi's TV ratings will be based on how the championship is at that stage.

[JensonF1]

Qualifying will always be lower than the race because it's not as interesting (usually). Which begs the question - with two slots on two days - why doesn't F1 have two races?

• Saturday: half hour qualifying, half hour sprint race
• Sunday: full GP

Ratings would jump on Saturdays. They've always had this idea that qualifying is just something that has to be done, rather than an integral part of the show. Whilst it's format has been tweaked, people will always prefer racing to cars driving and a stopwatch.

Who cares about ratings on Saturday? I am fine with qualifying. A sprint race will only dilute my anticipation of the race proper on Sunday where all the question marks become answers.

I guess this is the kinda mindless ratings chasing we'll see if the car manufacturers have their way with controlling F1.

[scheivlak]

Aren't most football matches in Europe played on Saturday afternoons?

Only in Britain and Germany, in the late afternoon (though in England there's always one single game played early Saturday afternoon).
In about every other European country matches are played Saturday night or on Sundays.

[D.M.N.]

Abu Dhabi's TV ratings will be based on how the championship is at that stage.

Guess so. If the title's already won, it'd probably get normal ratings (4m) if Button is still yet to win it, maybe 6/7 million. But it would be higher if it was on a peaktime - last year with Lewis it peaked at 13 million.

I'll update this thread BTW throughout the season with ratings.

Edited by D.M.N., 21 July 2009 - 17:20.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I get the impression the UK isn't as interested in Button as they were in Lewis.

[Brawn BGP 001]

I get the impression the UK isn't as interested in Button as they were in Lewis.

Correct.

[D.M.N.]

I get the impression the UK isn't as interested in Button as they were in Lewis.

I'd agree with that. Even though he's doing the ratings good - UK are not as interested. I think the reason is mainly that Hamilton and Hill I guess, were built up over a series of years - both of those two failed once before climbing to the top, whereas Button has just been "there" - never really done anything - this year has sort of come out of no where to be honest.

I won't say they aren't interested, because they are. But trust me, if Lewis wins this year, I'd bet more people will watch then when JB wins.

[ForeverF1]

I'd agree with that. Even though he's doing the ratings good - UK are not as interested. I think the reason is mainly that Hamilton and Hill I guess, were built up over a series of years - both of those two failed once before climbing to the top, whereas Button has just been "there" - never really done anything - this year has sort of come out of no where to be honest.

I won't say they aren't interested, because they are. But trust me, if Lewis wins this year, I'd bet more people will watch then when JB wins.

I think a lot of it is due to the lack of hysteric hype that was given to Lewis by the media in general and ITV in particular.

[cheapracer]

Abu Dhabi in Asia = 11am start time = no high viewing figures.

No Abu Dhabi is in the Middle East and the start time is at 6pm not 7.30pm as I thought.

I have watched all the other Mid East area races this year after dinner.

Thats unless the start time isn't at the usual 2pm in Abu Dahbi which is 4 hours behind Beijing time.

Edited by cheapracer, 21 July 2009 - 17:35.

[D.M.N.]

No Abu Dhabi is in the Middle East and the start time is at 6pm not 7.30pm as I thought.

I have watched all the other Mid East area races this year after dinner.

Thats unless the start time isn't at the usual 2pm in Abu Dahbi which is 4 hours behind Beijing time.

Let me do it for you: http://www.formula1....it_diagram.html

Unless you don't live in the UK?

[Brawn BGP 001]

I think a lot of it is due to the lack of hysteric hype that was given to Lewis by the media in general and ITV in particular.

Yeah and also there is not a commercial presence from Button, it is still Hamilton.

[Ross Stonefeld]

The UK simply isn't the 'racing country' everyone makes it out to be. They're just like any other F1 country, if they have a local boy doing well the TV ratings increase noticeably.

[D.M.N.]

The UK simply isn't the 'racing country' everyone makes it out to be. They're just like any other F1 country, if they have a local boy doing well the TV ratings increase noticeably.

Agreed.

As a FYI compared to F1, MotoGP tends to rate about 1 million viewers - things like A1 GP and GP2 only get about 100,000. BTCC normally about 300,000-400,000.

[Dolph]

My third race table, is for European races:

Top 10 "European" Race Broadcasts
01 - 08.10m - 1992 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
02 - 06.73m - 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
03 - 06.70m - 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)
04 - 06.40m - 1995 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
05 - 06.12m - 1995 European Grand Prix (BBC2)
06 - 06.10m - 1992 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC2)
07 - 05.87m - 1998 British Grand Prix (ITV1)
08 - 05.78m - 1993 British Grand Prix (BBC2)
09 - 05.77m - 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)
10 - 05.68m - 1997 European Grand Prix (ITV1)

Howbout a European table without the British GP?

[TheArmchairCritic]

The UK simply isn't the 'racing country' everyone makes it out to be. They're just like any other F1 country, if they have a local boy doing well the TV ratings increase noticeably.

I respectfully disagree regardless of there being a golden boy or not, they UK does better than most of Europe in terms of figures. Also when you consider population sizes etc. the UK is a 'racing country.'

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 18:04.

[D.M.N.]

Howbout a European table without the British GP?

Okidokes!

Top 10 "European" Race Broadcasts without Britain
01 - 06.73m - 1996 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC1)
02 - 06.70m - 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)
03 - 06.12m - 1995 European Grand Prix (BBC2)
04 - 06.10m - 1992 Monaco Grand Prix (BBC2)
05 - 05.77m - 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix (BBC2)
06 - 05.68m - 1997 European Grand Prix (ITV1)
07 - 05.63m - 1996 German Grand Prix (BBC1)
08 - 05.56m - 1994 European Grand Prix (BBC1)
09 - 05.51m - 1995 Italian Grand Prix (BBC2)
10 - 05.50m - 1996 European Grand Prix (BBC2)

You've probably, by now, noticed the same Grand Prix's making an appearance. Here are the averages for the European races from 1992 to present:

05.22m - Portugal *no races since 1996
04.74m - Great Britain
04.38m - Luxembourg *only two races
04.18m - Monaco
04.07m - Europe
03.76m - San Marino
03.73m - Germany
03.73m - Singapore *only one race so far
03.70m - Belgium
03.69m - South Africa *only two races
03.65m - Italy
03.62m - Hungary
03.60m - Austria
03.48m - Spain
03.32m - France
03.29m - Bahrain
02.75m - Turkey

[DOF_power]

The UK simply isn't the 'racing country' everyone makes it out to be. They're just like any other F1 country, if they have a local boy doing well the TV ratings increase noticeably.

Italy didn't have a local boy since Ascari, but that didn't stop them to follow F1.
Their ratings till Hammy Wammy have been 2 to 3 - 3.5 times higher vs Britain, at an equal population.

I agree Britain, was never really a "racing country", it was and is (for most part) a fanboy country.
The only racing country I can think of is Italy.

Edited by DOF_power, 21 July 2009 - 18:14.

[cheapracer]

Unless you don't live in the UK?

Are you aware many don't? I live in China, see that red flag to the left <

As with the Ross comment, Oz ratings went up very high when Jones was on his way to winning the title.

[TheArmchairCritic]

http://www.f1fanatic...-races-of-2009/
2.1 million average and 3.4 million peak for a race at 5 in the morning on a Sunday(which for me being a teenager is very difficult) out of a population of 60 million is very impressive. Especially when it seems we are only interested in Lewis and he was starting from 18th.

[cheapracer]

I respectfully disagree regardless of there being a golden boy or not, they UK does better than most of Europe in terms of figures. Also when you consider population sizes etc. the UK is a 'racing country.'

I respectfully suggest you read again what he actually wrote.

By the way the "does better than most Countries" part, does that include the countries that have a winning driver at that time - as Ross was alluding to?

[Ross Stonefeld]

I respectfully disagree regardless of there being a golden boy or not, they UK does better than most of Europe in terms of figures. Also when you consider population sizes etc. the UK is a 'racing country.'

Compare the ratings vs population in other countries and you will see similar trends.

Italy didn't have a local boy since Ascari, but that didn't stop them to follow F1.
Their ratings till Hammy Wammy have been 2 to 3 - 3.5 times higher vs Britain, at an equal population.

I agree Britain, was never really a "racing country", it was and is (for most part) a fanboy country.
The only racing country I can think of is Italy.

Small issue of Ferrari clouds the stats there.

http://www.f1fanatic...-races-of-2009/
2.1 million average and 3.4 million peak for a race at 5 in the morning on a Sunday(which for me being a teenager is very difficult) out of a population of 60 million is very impressive. Especially when it seems we are only interested in Lewis and he was starting from 18th.

Lets see Spain then. I bet their numbers were pretty good.

[TheArmchairCritic]

Italy didn't have a local boy since Ascari, but that didn't stop them to follow F1.
Their ratings till Hammy Wammy have been 2 to 3 - 3.5 times higher vs Britain, at an equal population.

I agree Britain, was never really a "racing country", it was and is (for most part) a fanboy country.
The only racing country I can think of is Italy.

Erm Ferrari is a national institution, Williams and McLaren aren't.

[cheapracer]

Especially when it seems we are only interested in Lewis and he was starting from 18th.

Errr, there was a British driver at the other end in a British car even sponsored by British sponsors........

Edited by cheapracer, 21 July 2009 - 18:20.

[TheArmchairCritic]

Errr, there was a British driver at the other end in a British car even sponsored by British sponsors........

Yes but we've already established on this thread that Button doesn't have the same draw as Hamilton.

[undersquare]

The UK simply isn't the 'racing country' everyone makes it out to be. They're just like any other F1 country, if they have a local boy doing well the TV ratings increase noticeably.

Of course it is. Any country's figures will drop when they don't have a contenter, and rise when they do. Surprised you didn't realise that .

[TheArmchairCritic]

Compare the ratings vs population in other countries and you will see similar trends.



Small issue of Ferrari clouds the stats there.



Lets see Spain then. I bet their numbers were pretty good.

Spain is most definitely a 'racing country' just look at the 125cc results last week.

[undersquare]

Italy didn't have a local boy since Ascari, but that didn't stop them to follow F1.
Their ratings till Hammy Wammy have been 2 to 3 - 3.5 times higher vs Britain, at an equal population.

I agree Britain, was never really a "racing country", it was and is (for most part) a fanboy country.
The only racing country I can think of is Italy.

And what would happen if Italy did get a contenter?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Eh? That's not a bearing on how much the country is interested in racing but how strong their domestic riders are, which is a statistical anomaly. Spain is however a bike mad nation. But they've also consistently had front runners, like Italy. In countries with next to no current or historical Grand Prix bike presense, ie a German or even a UK at times, the numbers are nothing to get excited about.

[TheArmchairCritic]

Ah crap i read the article wrong. In that case maybe we're aren't a racing country.Thought it was comparing the Top 10 UK figures to the Top 10 in Europe, my bad.

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 18:39.

[scheivlak]

Italy didn't have a local boy since Ascari, but that didn't stop them to follow F1.
Their ratings till Hammy Wammy have been 2 to 3 - 3.5 times higher vs Britain, at an equal population.

I agree Britain, was never really a "racing country", it was and is (for most part) a fanboy country.
The only racing country I can think of is Italy.

And what would happen if Ferrari calls it quits or goes sportscar racing?

[Max!]

How do these figures relate to the Global Broadcast report from FOM. Their figures for the UK f.i are much higher (29 million per race in 2008)?

-edit: these numbers are probably misreported and not per race, but per season.

A 2005 list shows how irrelevant the UK is for the commercial exploitation of F1:
China 135,414,000

Brazil 90,783,000

Italy 39,028,646

Japan 38,586,000

Germany 36,512,000

Spain 33,160,000

France 32,693,760

UK 26,034,000

USA 10,660,000

Australia 4,850,000

This out of a total of then 580 million viewers worldwide! So there are 270 million viewers in the other countries.
The UK makes up for less than 5 percent of total viewers.

Based on the same 2005 figures the viewer rate versus population is:

Spain 80.4%
Italy 70.3%
France 59.4%
Brazil 57.7%
Germany 51.4%
UK 46.8%
Japan 35.4%
Australia 35.1%
China 11.4%
USA 3.8%

Edited by Max!, 21 July 2009 - 19:08.

[D.M.N.]

How do these figures relate to the Global Broadcast report from FOM. Their figures for the UK f.i are much higher (29 million per race in 2008)?

Where is this report that you speak of? 29 million per race would nearly be half of the population!

That report is probably spin.

Edited by D.M.N., 21 July 2009 - 18:53.

[TheArmchairCritic]

Great research BTW D.M.N . A home champion often captures the fickle public's imagination, hence increased ratings, this also helps some catch 'the bug' as Jackie Stewart puts it, which leads to a fanatical following. However with the dearth of home F1 drivers and more T.V channels I suspect it is becoming more difficult for nations to build this fanatical following.

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 19:02.

[DOF_power]

Erm Ferrari is a national institution, Williams and McLaren aren't.

My point exactly. Enzo realized you need institutions/myths not personalities/golden-boys.

[DOF_power]

And what would happen if Ferrari calls it quits or goes sportscar racing?

F1 will be as good as dead.

[TheArmchairCritic]

The same Enzo who said Aerodynamics is for those who can't build good engines.

Edited by TheArmchairCritic, 21 July 2009 - 19:08.

[Max!]

Where is this report that you speak of? 29 million per race would nearly be half of the population!

That report is probably spin.

I edited my post and added better figures.

[DOF_power]

The same Enzo who said Aerodynamics is for those who can't build good engines.

He wasn't always right.
But the personalities/golden-boys of the past have been forgotten as time passed, they mean nothing to most of today's viewership/fan base, while the Scuderia Ferrari is a famous today as it ever was, even more so.

[Kucki]

Thanks alot. Very interesting

[D.M.N.]

How do these figures relate to the Global Broadcast report from FOM. Their figures for the UK f.i are much higher (29 million per race in 2008)?

-edit: these numbers are probably misreported and not per race, but per season.

A 2005 list shows how irrelevant the UK is for the commercial exploitation of F1:
China 135,414,000

Brazil 90,783,000

Italy 39,028,646

Japan 38,586,000

Germany 36,512,000

Spain 33,160,000

France 32,693,760

UK 26,034,000

USA 10,660,000

Australia 4,850,000

This out of a total of then 580 million viewers worldwide! So there are 270 million viewers in the other countries.
The UK makes up for less than 5 percent of total viewers.

Based on the same 2005 figures the viewer rate versus population is:

Spain 80.4%
Italy 70.3%
France 59.4%
Brazil 57.7%
Germany 51.4%
UK 46.8%
Japan 35.4%
Australia 35.1%
China 11.4%
USA 3.8%

A deeper reading shows that this may be shows how many watch news reports, read news reports, watch races, record races as well as just live Grand Prix's.

[engel]

Most FOM/FIA numbers are cumulative per race ie every part of a grand prix weekend that gets televised has it's viewing figures added to the total ... ie like for FIA/FOM Quali Viewers + Race Viewers + Race Rerun Viewers + Highlights viewers = Viewers for X GP