Though up from last year’s 19-year low, ratings for the 2011 Daytona 500 sputtered to their second-lowest levels ever on FOX.
The 2011 Daytona 500 earned an 8.7 final rating and 15.6 million viewers on FOX Sunday afternoon, up 13% in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year (7.7, 13.294M), but down 5% and 2%, respectively, from 2009 (9.2, 15.954M).
Keep in mind that the last two editions of the Daytona 500 were plagued by delays — potholes last year, and rain in 2009.
Sunday’s race ranks as the second-lowest rated, second-least viewed edition of the Daytona 500 since 2000 (8.4, 12.936M), ahead of only last year’s race.
That said, this marks the first time since 2008 (10.2, 17.752M) that the race has had an increase in ratings or viewership.
Ratings improved by double-digits among men 12-17 (up 94%), men 18-34 (up 46%), men 18-49 (up 16%), and men 25-54 (up 14%). Sunday’s race was won by 20-year old Trevor Bayne, and while his victory does not explain the big increases in younger demographics, one imagines it did not hurt.
For some perspective, Sunday’s race drew a lower rating and fewer viewers than six of last year’s seven NBA Finals games, but topped three of this year’s five BCS bowls. Impressively, the race drew more viewers than every single game of last year’s World Series.
Though the numbers were still low historically, ratings for all three NASCAR telecasts on FOX this season (the Budweiser Shootout, Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying, and Daytona 500) have increased — a much better start than last year.
(FOX press release from TV By The Numbers)
