The NBC family of networks had gains across the board for the 2014 Formula 1 season.
The 19-race Formula 1 schedule averaged 477,000 viewers across NBC, NBCSN and CNBC, up 30% from last year (366K) and up 15% from coverage on FOX and Speed Channel in 2012 (414K). In particular, the 12 races on NBCSN averaged 385,000 — up 86% from last year (207K), up 24% from 2012 on Speed (311K) and the most-watched F1 season ever on a single cable network.
Sunday’s season finale from Abu Dhabi averaged 473,000 viewers on NBCSN, up 34% from 354,000 for last year’s race, which was not the final event of the season. It was one of numerous races to have a double-digit increase in viewership, including five that more-than-doubled last year’s audience.
NBCSN averaged slightly more viewers for Formula 1 than for IndyCar this year (378K). The script was flipped last season, with IndyCar topping Formula 1 by 36% (282K to 207K). Keep in mind F1 races typically air in the morning while IndyCar has more convenient afternoon and primetime timeslots. Of course, that also means F1 rarely faces competition from the other major sports.
(Numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
