F1 Brazilian GP Viewership Dips to 784k on ESPN2

The São Paulo Grand Prix averaged 784,000 viewers on ESPN2, marking the second-lowest TV audience in the US for a Formula One race this season. Despite this dip, F1 is maintaining a strong overall viewership trajectory, averaging 1.3 million viewers through 21 races, a significant increase from last year.

Why it matters:

F1's continued growth in the US market is a key strategic goal, and while individual race fluctuations occur, the series' overall record-breaking season viewership is crucial as it prepares for a major broadcast partner change to Apple.

The details:

• The São Paulo Grand Prix's 784,000 viewers made it the second-lowest F1 TV audience in the US for the current season.
• This year's figure is down from 909,000 viewers for the 2023 Brazilian GP on ESPN2.
• A direct year-over-year comparison is challenging due to severe weather impacting the 2024 race's start time, which saw 531,000 viewers.
• Scheduling Conflict: The race's start time, one hour before most NFL games on Sunday, has historically impacted its US viewership.
• The Brazilian Grand Prix now holds the fifth-lowest average viewership in the US for any current F1 race since 2018, excluding races in Australia, Japan, and China, which are scheduled at night for US audiences.

The big picture:

Despite the lower São Paulo numbers, Formula One's overall viewership in the US remains robust. The series is averaging 1.3 million viewers through 21 races, up from 1.16 million at the same point last season. Furthermore, the 18 to 49 demographic has seen a 17 percent year-over-year increase, averaging 492,000 viewers.

What's next:

Formula One is on track to set a new record for season viewership in its final year with ESPN. The current record of 1.19 million viewers was set in 2022. This strong performance positions F1 favorably as it transitions to its new broadcast partner, Apple, a move that will further shape its presence and reach in the crucial US market.