For the second time in three races on FS1, NASCAR viewership rebounded from a decline in the overnights.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover earned nearly 4.0 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon, up 1% from last year (3.9M) but down 26% from 2014 on the FOX broadcast network (5.4M). Ratings were not immediately available.
The increase in viewership marks a turnaround from the overnight ratings, which fell by 4%. Keep in mind that does not necessarily mean final ratings increased, as the two metrics are separate and can go in opposite directions.
Viewership has now increased for the past three NASCAR races, with Kansas up 27% the previous week and Talladega up 6% two weeks prior. Eight of the previous nine races either declined from last year or could not be compared due to rain.
All three races on Fox Sports 1 this season have posted a year-over-year increase, with the caveat that last year’s numbers set the bar low. Sunday’s race ranks as the sixth-most watched NASCAR telecast in the history of the network, including its days as Speed Channel.
Even with the improved numbers, Matt Kenseth‘s win still delivered the second-smallest audience for the spring Dover race since at least 2001.
(Sun. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
