After two straight years of record-low ratings, the tide finally turned for NASCAR on FOX.
FOX averaged a 5.0 rating and 8.6 million viewers for thirteen NASCAR races this season, up 4% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (4.8, 7.9M), and down 2% and up 1%, respectively, compared to 2009 (5.1, 8.5M).
This marks the most-viewed NASCAR season on FOX since 2008 (9.3M). In addition, this is the first time since 2008 that ratings or viewership have increased for NASCAR on FOX.
That said, the 5.0 rating is the second-lowest for NASCAR on FOX since the network began televising races in 2001.
The final FOX race of the season was Sunday’s inaugural STP 400 from Kansas. The telecast drew a 3.9 fast-national rating and 6.3 million viewers, the second-lowest rated, second-least viewed race of the season.
Of the ten NASCAR races on FOX that can be compared to last year, five had increases in ratings and six had increases in viewership. Keep in mind that the comparisons here are to the same race last year. This year’s Phoenix race (which aired on a Sunday afternoon in February) was compared to last year’s Phoenix race (which aired on a Saturday night in April).
Several races hit multi-year highs in viewership this year. The FedEx 400 from Dover was the most-viewed in at least ten years, the Aaron’s 499 from Talladega was the most-viewed in six, the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte was the most-viewed in five, and the Subway Fresh Fit 500 from Phoenix was the most-viewed ever.
FOX averaged a 1.8 rating in the men 18-34 demographic this season, up 20% from last year (1.5). Keep in mind FOX suffered a much-publicized decline in the demographic last season.
Ratings/Viewership For NASCAR on FOX During 2011 Season (Compared to 2010 and 2009)
Asterisk (*) indicates race was postponed due to rain.
|
Date
|
Race
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rating
|
Viewers (000)
|
Rating
|
Viewers (000)
|
Rating
|
Viewers (000)
|
||
|
Sun., 2/20/11
|
Daytona
|
8.7
|
15,597
|
7.7
|
13,294
|
9.2
|
15,958
|
|
Sun., 2/27/11
|
Phoenix
|
5.9
|
10,346
|
3.7
|
5,977
|
3.6
|
5,984
|
|
Sun., 3/6/11
|
Las Vegas
|
5.9
|
10,076
|
4.4
|
7,154
|
6.5
|
11,123
|
|
Sun., 3/20/11
|
Bristol
|
4.3
|
7,240
|
4.4
|
7,357
|
4.5
|
7,365
|
|
Sun., 3/27/11
|
Fontana
|
4.6
|
8,080
|
5.6
|
9,151
|
6.0
|
10,206
|
|
Sun., 4/3/11
|
Martinsville
|
4.4
|
7,229
|
2.0*
|
2,891*
|
4.6
|
7,372
|
|
Sat., 4/9/11
|
Texas
|
4.0
|
7,036
|
2.1*
|
2,907*
|
4.7
|
6,898
|
|
Sun., 4/17/11
|
Talladega
|
5.2
|
9,039
|
5.2
|
8,452
|
5.0
|
8,105
|
|
Sat., 4/30/11
|
Richmond
|
3.7
|
6,138
|
3.7
|
6,194
|
4.0
|
6,671
|
|
Sat., 5/7/11
|
Darlington
|
4.1
|
6,978
|
4.2
|
6,969
|
4.0
|
6,671
|
|
Sun., 5/15/11
|
Dover
|
4.4
|
7,391
|
3.7
|
5,756
|
4.0
|
6,088
|
|
Sun., 5/29/11
|
Charlotte
|
4.5
|
8,132
|
4.0
|
6,547
|
3.3*
|
5,318*
|
|
Sun., 6/5/11
|
Kansas
|
3.9
|
6,300
|
no previous races
|
|||
(FOX season average from FOX Sports via TV By the Numbers)
