In a year of declining ratings for NASCAR races, it is no surprise that Saturday’s Banking 500 was down from last year.
ABC drew a 3.5/7 rating and 5.5 million viewers for Saturday night’s Banking 500, down 8% from a 3.8/7 and 6 million viewers for last year’s race, and the lowest rating for the race since 2001 — when the race was moved from NBC to TNT due to war coverage.
Ratings and viewership have declined for the Banking 500 every year since ’05.
Through Saturday, 28 NASCAR races have averaged a 4.1 rating and 6.7 million viewers on FOX, TNT, ESPN and ABC, down 9% in ratings and viewership from a 4.5 and 7.4 million for the races on the comparable dates last year. This does not include the Coca Cola 600, the Pennsylvania 500 or the Heluva Good! at the Glen, each of which was postponed due to rain.
Of the 28 races, 22 have had declines in ratings and viewership compared to last year — including 13 races that have had double-digit declines.
Ratings and viewership for the Banking 500 since 2000
Ratings and shares presented for races on broadcast; U.S. rating and cable rating (in parentheses) presented for races on cable
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sat., 10/17/09 | Johnson | ABC |
3.5/7
|
5.5 mil
|
| 2008 | Sat., 10/11/08 | Burton | ABC |
3.8/7
|
6.0 mil
|
| 2007 | Sat., 10/13/07 | Gordon | ABC |
4.2/8
|
6.6 mil
|
| 2006 | Sat., 10/14/06 | Kahne | NBC |
4.7/9
|
7.8 mil
|
| 2005 | Sat., 10/15/05 | Johnson | NBC |
5.1/10
|
7.9 mil
|
| 2004 | Sat., 10/16/04 | Johnson | NBC |
4.9/9
|
n/a
|
| 2003 | Sat., 10/11/03 | Stewart | NBC |
4.3/8
|
7.5 mil
|
| 2002 | Sun., 10/13/02 | McMurray | NBC |
5.0/10
|
7.9 mil
|
| 2001 | Sun., 10/7/01 | Marlin | TNT |
2.2 (2.7)
|
n/a
|
| 2000 | Sun., 10/8/00 | Labonte | TBS |
2.7 (3.4)
|
n/a
|
Sources: Jayski, Sports Business Daily, Media Life Magazine
