Formula One (F1) continues to hold strong in the US, as Disney-owned ABC garnered an average audience of 1.76 million viewers during last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
This marks the fourth-largest live audience for a Formula One race in the United States ever, with three out of four among this year's races.
Although F1 has had a lacklustre season so far, it still manages to bring in solid ratings numbers. Last year’s record was beaten for the current season 2023 and after nine races, both ABC and ESPN have averaged around 1.28 million viewers overall.
The Miami Grand Prix held last year scored highest on live US audiences with over 2.6 million people tuning into their TV sets.
Last weekend also marked the debut of The Grandstand alternate telecast by ESPN featuring former Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor Will Arnett.
This is similar to its "Manningcast" broadcast created exclusively for National Football League (NFL) coverage which features retired quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning discussing gameplay along with other guests from time-to-time.
The new format attracted an average audience of about 114k viewers – quite small compared to F1’s usual audiences though not bad given that it was launched only recently.
Formula One is rapidly establishing its footprint in North America
ABC's impressive TV ratings during the Canadian Grand Prix confirm F1's growth in North America. The increased viewership not only demonstrates the sport's appeal but also presents opportunities for future expansion.
Building a strong fan base in North America is crucial for F1's long-term strategy, as it strives to establish a foothold in new markets and foster a global following.
The success of the Canadian Grand Prix on ABC's The Grandstand serves as a promising sign for the sport's continued popularity and fan engagement in the region.
However, all hope isn't lost just yet because there are still two more events left on schedule within US soil where The Grandstand will make its return again alongside some promising racing action - hopefully enough excitement will draw even more fans toward their screens!
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