2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup TV Ratings

2011 Television Ratings – Comparison Table – 4 Years
FOX Coverage
13 Races
(2011 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share
Track/Race 2011 2010 2009 2008
Daytona – Fox 2/12
Bud Shootout		 4.5/8
3.9/7*
7.847 million		 4.4/8
4.2/7*
8.187 million		 4.9/9
4.1/7*
8.3 million		 5.1/9
4.5/8*
8.5 million
Daytona 500 Qualifying – Fox 2/13 2.0/5
1.9/5*
3.303 million		 1.6/4
2.361 million		 2.4/6
2.1/5*
3.6 million		 2.9/7
2.7/6*
4.4 million
Daytona/Gatorade Duels – SPEED 2/17 1.99
1.495 million		 1.86
1.363 million		 2.10
1.5 million
Daytona 500 – Fox 2/20 8.2/18
8.7/20*
15.6 million		 7.0/14
7.7/16*
13.294 million		 9.2/19
8.0/17*
15.958 million		 10.2/20
9.4/19
17.8 million
Phoenix – Fox 2/27 5.9/13
5.3/11*
10.346 million		 5.6/11
5.0/10*
9.151 million (A11)		 6.0/10
5.3/8*
10.206 million (A11)		 6.2/10 (A)
6.1/10*
10.9 million (A11)
Las Vegas – Fox 3/6 5.9/12
5.3/11*
10.076 million		 4.4/9
4.1/8*
7.154 million		 6.5/12
5.5/10*
11.123 million		 7.1/13
6.2/12*
12.1 million
Bristol – Fox 3/20 4.3/10
3.9/9*
7.24 million		 5.3/13
4.8/11*
8.51 million (B11)		 5.5/12
4.7/10*
8.877 million (B11)		 6.4/15
5.6/12*
10.5 million (B11)
Auto Club – Fox 3/27 4.6/10
4.1/9*
8.080 million		 4.4/10
4.2/9*
7.357 million (C11)		 4.5/10
4.1/10*
7.365 million (C11)		 5.5/13
5.0/11*
8.9 million (C11)
Martinsville – Fox 4/3 4.4/10
3.9/9*
7.229 million		 2.1/6* (A10) 4.6/10
4.1/9*
7.4 million		 5.3/12
4.9/10*
8.7 million
Texas – Fox 4/9 4.0/7
3.7/7
7.036 million		 2.1/7* (B10) 4.7/11
4.2/10*
7.4 million		 5.4/12
4.7/10*
8.6 million
Talladega – Fox 4/17 5.2/13
4.6/11*
9.039 milion		 5.2/12
4.9/11*
8.452 million		 5.0/12
4.5/11*
8.105 million		 5.7/13
5.2/11*
9.0 million
Richmond – Fox 4/30 3.7/7
3.4/7*
6.138 million		 3.7/7
3.4/7
6.194 million		 3.9/8
3.7/7*
6.634 million		 4.5/9
4.2/8*
7.3 million
Darlington – Fox 5/7 4.1/8
3.5/7*
6.978 million		 4.2/8
3.9/8*
6.9709 million		 4.0/8
3.6/7*
6.671 million		 4.8/10
4.3/8*
7.8 million
Dover – Fox 5/15 4.4/10
3.8/9*
7.391 million		 3.7/10
3.6/9*
5.756 million		 4.0/10
3.6/9*
6.088 million		 4.5/11
4.2/10*
7.109 million
All-Star SPEED 5/21 3.32 (cb)
?
? million hh
3.993 million viewers		 3.30 (cb)
2.1/4*
2.496 million hh
? million viewers		 3.68 (cb)
2.1/4*
2.69 million hh		 3.74 (cb)
?
2.7 million hh
Charlotte – Fox 5/29 4.5/9
4.0/8*
8.132 million		 4.0/9*
6.547 million		 3.3/9 (L)
3.3/8*
5.308 million		 4.7/10
4.4/9*
7.6 million
Kansas – Fox 6/5 3.9/10
3.9/10*
6.285 million
FOX – 13 races – SEASON 5.0/11
4.4/10*
8.6 million ave		 4.8/10
4.4/9*
7.897 million ave		 5.1/11
4.6/9*
8.502 million ave
TNT Coverage
6 Races
Track/Race 2011 2010 2009 2008
(2010 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers
Pocono – TNT 6/12 3.2
5.175 million		 3.3
5.344 million		 3.4/9
5.480 million		 4.6
3.9*
6.1 million
Michigan – TNT 6/19 2.9
2.7/7*
4.89 million		 2.9/7
2.8/7*
4.3 million
6/13		 3.3/9
5.118 million		 3.3/9
5.084 million
Infineon – TNT 6/26 3.2
5.188		 2.7/7
4.479 million
6/18		 4.0
3.4/8*
5.788 million		 4.3
3.7/8*
6.015 million
Daytona – TNT 7/2 3.4
6.029 million		 3.6/8
6.127 million
(C10)		 3.1/8
5.277 million		 3.8/8
6.39 million
Kentucky – TNT 7/9
(inaugural race)		 3.0
2.7*
4.968 million		 2.8
4.608 million
(Chicago)		 3.0/6*
4.814 million
(Chicago)		 3.7
3.2/7*
5.129 million
(Chicago)
New Hampshire – TNT 7/17 2.9
2.9*
4.562 million
(D11)		 3.0/7
2.6*
4.909 million
6/27		 4.1
3.5/9
5.555 million
6/28		 4.0
3.4/8*
5.495 million
6/29
TNT – 6 of 6 races – SEASON 3.1
5.125 million ave
3.615 million households		 3.0/7
4.990 million ave
3.495 million households		 3.4/8
5.537 million ave
ESPN/ABC Coverage
17 Races
(2011 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers
Track/Race 2011 2010 2009 2008
Indy – ESPN 7/31 4.6
6.377 million		 4.2
3.6*
5.709 million		 4.8
4.1*
6.487 million		 5.1
6.7 million
Pocono – ESPN 8/7 3.9
5.485 million		 4.4
6.292 million		 (P) 1.8
(4.5 Sunday)
2.25 million		 4.5
3.8
6.2 million
Watkins Glen – ESPN 8/15 (E11) 1.6
1.896 million		 3.6
4.931 million		 (W) 1.7
(2.0 Sunday)
1.99 million		 3.6
3.0*
4.8 million
Michigan – ESPN 8/21 3.7
5.028 million		 3.6
3.1/8
4.917 million		 4.1
3.5/8
5.622 million		 3.9
3.3*
5.3 million
Bristol – ABC 8/27 3.0
5.067 million (F11)		 3.5/7
5.842 million		 3.3/7
3.8hh
5.323 million
(ESPN)		 3.5
3.0*
5.0 million
(ESPN)
Atlanta – ESPN 9/4
(was at California 2004-2008)		 1.8
2.161 million		 3.9
3.4/7
2.9/6*
5.516 million million		 4.1
3.5/7
3.1/6*
5.808 million		 3.9
3.5/8*
5.7 million
(California)
Richmond – ABC 9/9 3.7
6.167 million		 3.1/5
2.8/5
5.288 million		 3.5
3.1/6*
5.54 million		 3.0
3.97 million
ESPN (D)
The Chase
ESPN/ABC Coverage
10 Races
(2011 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers
Track/Race 2011 2010 2009 2008
Chicago – ESPN 9/19 1.8 (H11)
2.179 million		 2.3
2.1/5*
3.677 million
NHMS on this date		 3.2/7
2.5/6*
5.04 million
ABC
NHMS on this date		 3.8/8
3.2/6*
6.1 million
ABC
NHMS on this date
New Hampshire – ESPN 9/25 3.1
4.235 million		 2.4
2.1/4*
3.966 million
Dover on this date		 3.1/6
2.7/5*
5.08 million
(ABC)
Dover on this date		 3.3/7
2.9/6*
5.34 million
(ABC)
Dover on this date
Dover – ESPN 10/2 3.0
4.093 million		 2.7hh
2.3/5
2.1/5*
3.741 million
Kansas on this date		 3.2/7
2.6/5*
5.25 million
(ABC)
Kansas on this date		 3.5/8
3.1/6*
5.69 million
(ABC)
Kansas on this date
Kansas – ESPN 10/9 3.1
4.173 million		 2.9hh
2.3/5*
4.072 million
(Auto Club)		 3.6/7
3.1/6*
5.95 million
(Auto Club)
ABC		 3.8/7
3.5/7
6.04 million
(Charlotte)
ABC
Charlotte – ABC 10/15 3.2/?
5.396 million		 3.2/?
5.345 million		 3.5/7
3.0/6*
5.45 million		 3.8/7
3.5/7
6.04 million
Talladega – ESPN 10/23 3.9hh
5.430 million		 3.6hh
3.1/?
5.177 million		 4.1/?
3.8/8*
6.6 million
ABC		 3.7/?
3.4/6*
5.89 million
(Texas race – same date)

3.6/8
3.2/7*
5.61 million
(33rd race Atlanta)
ABC
Martinsville – ESPN 10/30 3.6hh
4.923 million		 2.8hh
2.4/5
2.2/5
3.954 million		 2.9/?
2.5/5*
4.70 million
ABC		 3.3/7
2.9/6*
ABC
Texas – ESPN 11/6 3.4hh
4.726 million		 3.4hh
2.9/6
2.7/5*
4.846 million		 3.7/7
3.2/6*
5.827 million
ABC		 3.7/7
3.4/6*
5.89 million
ABC
Phoenix – ESPN 11/13 3.3
4.766 million		 2.9hh
2.5/5
4.201 million		 3.3/6
2.9/6*
5.17 million
ABC		 3.6/7
3.4/6*
5.66 million
ABC

3.3
2.9*
4.61 million
ESPN2 (E)
Homestead – ESPN 11/20 4.6
6.799 million		 3.9hh
3.3/6
5.605 million		 3.6/6
3.2/6*
5.607 million
ABC		 4.0/7
3.7/6*
6.60 million
ABC

  • notes about ratings:
    (cb) = cable rating
    hh = households [usually cable ratings)(H11) = Chicago delayed from Sunday, Sept 18, 2011 to Monday, Sept 19, 2011 [11am/et], the new Chicago race date on Sept 18th, used to run in mid July.
    (G11) = Atlanta delayed from Sunday, Sept 4, 2011 [7:30pm/et] to Tuesday, Sept 6, 2011 [11am/et]
    (F11) = Bristol’s race aired in much of the country on ABC, but due to Hurricane Irene, many local stations on the East Coast pre-empted the race telecast for news about the storm. The race also aired on ESPN in eastern states from South Carolina to Maine as a backup for viewers in areas where hurricane news could possibly pre-empt the race, and on ESPN2 in eight markets where NFL pre-season games were airing. Only the ABC portion of the audience can be measured by the Nielsen Company.
    (E11) = Watkins Glen delayed from Sunday, Aug 14, 2011 to Monday, Aug 15, 2011
    (D11) = The first New Hampshire race was June 27 in 2010, moved to July 17 in 2011
    (C11) = 5th race was at Bristol Motor Speedway from 2008-2010
    (B11) = 4th race was at Atlanta Motor Speedway from 2008-2010
    (A11) = 2nd race was at Auto Club Speedway from 2008-2010

    (A10) Martinsville delayed from Sunday March 28, 2010 to Monday, March 29, 2010
    (B10) Texas delayed from Sunday April 18, 2010 to Monday, April 19, 2010
    (C10) Start of the race was delayed 90 minutes by rain, Saturday, July 3, 2010

    (L) rained delayed from Sunday May 24, 2009 to Monday, May 25th
    (P) rained delayed from Sunday August 2, 2009 to Monday, August 3rd
    (W) rained delayed from Sunday August 3, 2009 to Monday, August 10th
    (D) rained delayed race at Richmond to Sunday, 9/7/2008, aired on ESPN instead of ABC
    (E) after 2 red flags, ABC moved the final 34 laps from ABC to ESPN2 at 7:30pm/et
    (L) rained delayed from Sunday May 24, 2009 to Monday, May 25th

    Final Ratings on top, and Fast/Overnight/Household Ratings below with an ‘*’.
    Cable Ratings [TNT/ESPN] usually do not list the share as Networks [FOX/ABC] do, or list overnights

    A network rating is percent of homes that are tuned into the event
    A a cable rating is percent of homes equipped with cable that are tuned into an event
    (meaning that a lower network rating still can produce more households)

    Overnight ratings, are measured in the top 50 markets of the country.
    National ratings provide more detailed demographic information as well as the exact number of people watching.

    rating: which indicates percentage of all households in the U.S. watched this broadcast
    share: which indicates percent of all households watching TV in the U.S. watched this broadcast
    as of mid-2006 there were 111,348,110 television households in the U.S.
  • Homestead race earns largest Sprint Cup viewership ever for ESPN: The final race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup featured a down-to-the-wire battle for the championship and earned the largest viewership ever for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race telecast on ESPN. With a peak audience of 10.5 million when the checkered flag fell on champion Tony Stewart at 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN’s telecast of the Ford 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 20, averaged 6,799,000 viewers and earned a 4.6 household coverage rating (4.0 U.S. rating), according to the Nielsen Company. The viewership average broke ESPN’s previous record of 6,668,000 viewers for the 2008 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Final figures do not include a rain delay from 4:45-6 p.m. Viewership was up 21 percent and the rating was up 18 percent from last year’s event, which also aired on ESPN and earned a 3.9 coverage rating and averaged 5,605,000 viewers. In addition, the 2011 race out-delivered the 2009 race that aired on ABC and earned 5,607,000 viewers and a 3.6 U.S. rating. Ratings for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on ESPN and ABC increased 14.8 percent from 2010, averaging a 3.1 U.S. rating compared to 2.7 for last year (not including the rain-delayed Chicagoland Speedway event, which was run on a Monday). Also, excluding rainout races, ESPN and ABC’s NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage for 2011 averaged a 3.2 U.S. rating, up more than six percent from a 3.0 for last year.(ESPN)(11-22-2011)
  • Phoenix TV Ratings higher then 2010: ESPN’s live telecast of the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 13, earned a 3.3 household coverage rating, averaging 4,766,000 viewers [in 2010 there vere 4,201,000 viewers], according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was up 13% from last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN and earned a 2.9 rating. ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix on Saturday, Nov. 12, earned a 1.3 household coverage rating, averaging 1,757,000 viewers. The rating was up from a 1.2 for last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN2.(ESPN)(11-15-2011)
  • Texas TV ratings same as 2010: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 6, earned a 3.4 household coverage rating, averaging 4,726,000 viewers [4.846 million in 2010], according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was the same as for last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN.
    ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas on Saturday, Nov. 5, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,430,000 viewers. The rating was also the same as for the 2010 race, which also aired on ESPN2.(ESPN)(11-8-2011)
  • TV Ratings up for Martinsville: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 30, earned a 3.6 household coverage rating, averaging 4,923,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating is up from the 2.8 rating for last year’s race that also aired on ESPN.(ESPN)(11-1-2011)
  • TV Ratings up for Talladega: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 23, earned a 3.9 national household coverage rating, averaging 5,430,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating is up from a 3.6 for last year’s race that also aired on ESPN. The ratings were delayed due to an internal coding issue with ESPN and Nielsen that affected four days of programming.(ESPN)(10-31-2011)
  • TV Ratings up for Charlotte: ABC’s live telecast of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Oct. 15, earned a 3.2 U.S. rating, averaging 5,396,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating is even with the rating for last year’s race, which also aired on ABC on a Saturday night. ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte on Friday night, Oct. 14, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating (1.0 U.S. rating), averaging 1,543,000 viewers. Last year’s race, which aired on ESPN2 on a Friday night, earned a 1.3 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(10-18-2011)
  • TV Ratings up for Kansas: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 9, earned a 3.1 household coverage rating, averaging 4,173,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating is up from a 2.7 for last year’s Kansas race. This year, the Kansas race was the fourth event in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Last year, the fourth race in the Chase was at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and that corresponding race earned a 2.9 rating. Of the four Chase races run so far this year, the three that have been run and telecast and scheduled have all had ratings increases from last year. The first race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rained out and run on a Monday.(ESPN)(10-11-2011)
  • Dover TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 2, earned a 3.0 household coverage rating, averaging 4,093,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was up from the 2.8 rating for last year’s Dover race, which also aired on ESPN. Telecasts of both Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup races that have been run as scheduled so far this season have seen increased ratings. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rained out on its original date and run on a Monday.
    ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover on Saturday, Oct. 1, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,443,000 viewers. The 2010 race earned a 1.2 rating.(ESPN)(10-4-2011)
  • New Hampshire TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 25, earned a 3.1 household coverage rating, averaging 4,235,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was up 19% from last year’s New Hampshire race, which also aired on ESPN and earned a 2.6 rating. The telecast also saw double-digit growth in key audience demographics, including a 28% rise in the Male 18-34 demographic and a 20% rise in the Male 18-49 demographic. The audience also saw 33 percent of growth in the Persons 55+ demographic.(ESPN)(9-27-2011)
  • Chicago TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the rain-delayed Geico 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Monday, Sept. 19, earned a 1.8 household coverage rating, averaging 2,179,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race was rained out on Sunday, Sept. 18, and rescheduled for the following day. ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 17, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,453,000 viewers. Both races were at new places on the schedule this year. In past years, Chicagoland Speedway’s combined NASCAR Sprint Cup-NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend had been held in July.(ESPN)(9-21-2011)
  • Richmond race brings in good TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, Sept. 10, saw a 19% rise in ratings from last year’s race along with a 17% rise in viewership, according to the Nielsen Company. The telecast earned a 3.7 rating, up from a 3.1 for last year’s race that also aired on ABC, and averaged 6,167,000 viewers (ESPN)(9-13-2011)
  • Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Tuesday, Sept. 6, earned a 1.8 national household coverage rating, averaging 2,161,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race was originally scheduled for Sunday night, Sept. 4, but was pushed to Tuesday due to rain and effects from Tropical Storm Lee. Last year’s race, which was run and telecast as scheduled, earned a 3.9 rating. ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta on Saturday night, Sept. 3, earned a 1.4 national household coverage rating, averaging 1,857,000 viewers. The rating was the same for the 2010 race.(ESPN)(9-9-2011)
  • TV Ratings for Bristol: The live telecast of Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was an anomaly for determining viewership and ratings due to effects of Hurricane Irene and other factors that split the telecast onto ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. The race aired in much of the country on ABC, but due to Hurricane Irene, many local stations on the East Coast pre-empted the race telecast for news about the storm. The race also aired on ESPN in eastern states from South Carolina to Maine as a backup for viewers in areas where hurricane news could possibly pre-empt the race, and on ESPN2 in eight markets where NFL pre-season games were airing. Only the ABC portion of the audience can be measured by the Nielsen Company and the race earned a 3.0 household U.S. rating, averaging 5.067,000 viewers. Last year’s race, which aired on ABC around the country in normal fashion, earned a 4.4 rating. ESPN’s live telecast of Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,439,000 viewers. Last year’s Bristol race, which also aired on ESPN, earned a 1.6 rating.(ESPN)(8-30-2011)
  • Michigan TV Ratings up a tad: ESPN’s live telecast of the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 21, earned a 3.7 national household coverage rating, averaging 5,028,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was up from a 3.6 for last year’s race that also aired on ESPN.
    ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 20, earned a 1.5 national household coverage rating, averaging 1,872,000 viewers. Last year’s race aired on ESPN2 and earned a 1.7 rating (ESPN)(8-23-2011)
  • Watkins Glen TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International on Monday, Aug. 15, earned a national household coverage rating of 1.6, averaging 1,896,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race was originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, Aug. 14, but was postponed until 10 a.m. Monday morning because of rain. ESPN televised a similarly rain-delayed race at Watkins Glen in 2009 and that race earned a 1.7 rating when run on a Monday. The last two years that the race has been run and televised as scheduled, 2010 and 2008, it earned a 3.6 rating.(ESPN)(8-17-2011)
  • Pocono TV Ratings: ESPN’s live coverage of the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 7, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating, averaging 5,485,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The 2010 race earned a 4.4 rating and was the highest-rated NASCAR Sprint Cup race to air on ESPN last year (ESPN)(8-9-2011)
  • TV Ratings for Indy higher then 2010: ESPN’s live telecast of the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 31, earned a 4.6 household coverage rating, averaging 6,377,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating rose from a 4.2 for last year’s event. Continuing a trend that has been seen across NASCAR telecasts this season, the Male 18-34 demographic was up 20% from last year’s race. The final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races of the 2011 season will air on ESPN networks, with 13 on ESPN and three Saturday night races on ABC.(ESPN)(8-2-2011)
  • TNT NASCAR Summer Series Coverage Delivers Growth in Ratings: TNT saw overall growth in total viewers, ratings and households with its just concluded six-race NASCAR Summer Series coverage of the 2011 Sprint Cup Series with 5,125,000 total viewers (up +3%, 4,990,000 in 2010), 3.1 U.S. HH rating (up +3% vs. 3.0 U.S. HH rating in 2010) and 3,615,000 households (up +3%, 3,495,000 in 2010).(Turner Sports)(7-19-2011)
  • New Hampshire TV Ratings: Overnight ratings increased by double-digits for the final race of Turner Sports’ six-race NASCAR schedule. Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Lenox Industrial Tools 301 from Loudon, NH, earned a 2.9 overnight rating on TNT, up 12% from last year’s Loudon race, which aired in late June (2.6). The telecast was also up 7% from last week’s Quaker State 400 from Kentucky (2.7).(Turner Sports/Sports Media Watch)
    AND Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Lenox Industrial Tools 301 from Loudon, NH, earned a 2.9 U.S. rating and 4.562 million viewers on TNT, down a tick in ratings and 7% in viewership from last year (3.0, 4.909M), and down 17% and 18%, respectively, from 2009 (3.4, 5.495M). This marks the lowest rated edition of the early Loudon race since at least 1998*, and the least-viewed since at least 2000*. In addition, Sunday’s race ranks as the least-viewed NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the season, dipping below the previous mark of 4.890 million for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 from Michigan. Despite the declines for Sunday’s race, TNT concluded its six-race NASCAR run up 3% in ratings and viewership from last year.(Turner Sports/Sports Media Watch)(7-18-2011)
  • Kentucky TV Ratings: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway earned a 3.0 U.S. rating and 4.968 million viewers on TNT Saturday night, down 17% in ratings and 19% in viewership from the fifth TNT race of last season (Daytona: 3.6, 6.127M), but up 7% and 8%, respectively, from the race on the comparable night last year (Chicago: 2.8, 4.608M). Viewership among adults 18-34 and men 18-34 increased by 24% and 31%, respectively, compared to last year’s Chicago race. The Kentucky race ranks as the second-lowest rated and second-least viewed Sprint Cup telecast of the season, ahead of only the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 from Michigan on TNT (2.9, 4.890M).(sportsmediawatch.com)
    AND TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series coverage continued strong, with Sunday’s race coverage from Kentucky averaging 5 million viewers to rank as basic cable’s top sports telecast for the week. The race grew 8% in total viewers over the corresponding race last year, while households were up 11% to 3.5 million and household rating was up 7% to 3.0. The race saw particularly strong growth among adults 18-34 (455,000; +24%) and men 18-34 (293,000; +31%). Through its first five races, TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series is averaging a 3.2 U.S. household rating, up 7% over last year’s performance.(TV by the numbers)(7-12-2011)
  • TNT’s NASCAR Ratings up: TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series coverage of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona powered by Coca-Cola topped the charts as basic cable’s #1 program for the week, with 6.03 million viewers. It was also #1 for the week among adults 25-54 (2.7 million). Through its first four races, TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series is averaging a 3.2 U.S. household rating, with 5.3 million viewers, up 6% over last year’s performance.(TV by the numbers)(7-8-2011)
  • TNT NASCAR Coverage Averaging Nearly 5.1 Million Viewers: TNT’s coverage on Sunday of the Toyota/SaveMart 350 from Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway earned a 3.2 U.S. HH rating, an increase of 17% from last year’s race. In addition, the race garnered 5,188,000 total viewers (up + 16%) and averaged 3,743,000 households (up + 21%). The TNT NASCAR 2011 Sprint Cup Series is off to a solid start through the network’s first three weeks of racing with an average of 5,097,000 viewers, up +7% over the 2010 total season average, and a 3.1 U.S. HH rating (up +3%).(Turner Sports)(6-28-2011)
  • Michigan Overnight TV Ratings: not much out there about TNT’s NASCAR TV Ratings yet. Pocono looked flat, all that could be found so far was that viewer ship was at 5,175 million down from 5,344 million in 2010. For MIchigan, no viewer ship yet, but the overnight ratings were 2.7 with a 7 share, down just a notch from last years 2.8 cable rating with a 7 share. Last year vierer ship for the Michigan race was 4.3 million, so expect it to be similar this year. The race was held a week later this year.(6-21-2011)
  • FOX 2011: FOX’s presentation of the first 13 races of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup series hit a three-year high averaging 8.6 million viewers per race, up +9% over 2010 (7.9 million viewers). The 2011 Daytona 500 crowned the event’s youngest champion ever and delivered ratings and audience gains for FOX Sports. A total audience of just over 30 million Americans watched the race, making the 2011 Daytona 500 the most-watched NASCAR race since 2008. The 30.1 million total viewers, a measure of the audience that saw at least a portion of the race, is +1% higher than 2010’s total audience of 29.8 million and +15% better than 2009’s 26.2 million.(FOX)
  • Kansas Overnight TV Ratings: FOX concluded its portion of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with a 3.9/10 for the race from Kansas (6.3 million viewers). Because this is FOX’s first race from Kansas, there are no comparisons to last year. Greensboro led all markets with a 12.4/24, followed by Charlotte (9.8/20), Greenville (9.2/18), and Nashville (8.7/16), while host city Kansas City was #11 with a 7.4/16. For the complete 2011 Season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX averaged a 4.4/10 in the meters for 13 races, flat with last year’s average for 11 races (4.4/9). Last year two races were rained out. Therefore, on a total rating points basis NASCAR is actually up +19% over 2010 (53.5 GRPs vs. 48.3).
    AND NASCAR on FOX’s 2011 season roared into victory lane after Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup series race from Kansas.
    The network’s presentation of the first 13 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series hit a three-year high averaging 8.6 million viewers per race, up +9% over last year (7.9 million viewers). That is the largest one-year audience increase in the 11-year history of NASCAR on FOX.
    This year’s NASCAR coverage on FOX posted year-to-year increases in Households and across every major male and adult demographic. The complete 2011 NASCAR season on FOX averaged a 5.0/11 household rating/share, with the season’s biggest increase coming among Men 18-34. Average ratings in that key male demographic increased +20% over last year (1.8 vs. 1.5). The network boasted increases over 2010 among Households (+4%), Men 18-49 (+6%), Men 25-54 (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%).
    FOX posted more growth on a total rating points basis than on an average rating basis. FOX delivered a total of 64.1 rating points with NASCAR this season, a +13% gain over last year’s 56.7 gross rating points, which includes viewing to two Monday make-up dates. Among Men 18-34 gross rating points were up +36% (23.2 vs. 17.1).
    The 2011 NASCAR on FOX season concluded Sunday with a 3.9/10 (6.3 million viewers) for the Kansas 400, according to fast national ratings released by Nielsen Monday. This was the first airing of the Kansas 400 on FOX, however, Sunday’s race easily beat last year’s Kansas race, which aired on ESPN in October. Compared to NASCAR’s last Kansas event Sunday’s race was up +63% on Household rating/share (vs. 2.4/5) and up +67% on average audience (vs. 3.8 million viewers).(FOX)
    NOTE: in 2010 on the same weekend in June, the race was held at Pocono and televised by TNT with a 3.3 cable rating and 5.3 million viewers.(6-7-2011)
  • Coke 600 Overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway earned a 4.0/8 in the metered markets Sunday night, matching last year’s performance. In overnight ratings the Coke 600 fell a tenth of a point shy of the 4.1/11 earned by the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day on ABC, but that narrow deficit would still seem to put the NASCAR race in position to beat the Indy 500 in the nationals. The Indy 500 typically declines from overnight to national, while the Coke 600 tends to hold steady or increase. Last year, for example, the Coke 600 beat the Indy 500 by one-tenth of a point in the overnights, and four-tenths of a point in the nationals. Heading into the final race of FOX’s 2011 NASCAR schedule, NASCAR is averaging a 4.5/10, up +2% over last year’s 4.4/9. That comparison, however, doesn’t fully capture the good luck FOX has had this year with weather, with zero races thus far being rained out. Last year two races were rained out. Therefore, on a total rating points basis NASCAR is actually up +21% over 2010 (53.7 GRPs vs. 44.3).(5-31-2011)
  • TV Ratings for All-Star race increase: SPEED coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday scored an average household rating of 3.32 according to Nielsen Media Research, up 1% from last year’s 3.30. The race peaked at a 4.08 and averaged 3,993,000 viewers. During the race, SPEED was the highest-rated basic cable network in Households, Men 35-54, and M55+; and the No. 2-rated basic cable network among M18-34 and M18-49. The ratings increase, despite on-site technical issues during driver introductions which delayed the start of the race by 30 minutes, was driven in large part by tremendous growth in the coveted Men 18-34 demographic, where coverage area ratings were up 58% (1.26 vs. .80) from 2010 and the highest for the event in three years. A similar trend has been evident for FOX’s NASCAR Sprint Cup racing this season. Through 11 races, NASCAR on FOX has witnessed increased ratings in all key male demographics, none higher than the 19% improvement in Men 18-34 (1.9 vs. 1.6).(SPEED)(5-24-2011)
  • Dover Final TV Ratings: NASCAR’s FedEx 400 was not only up double-digits from last year, but was the most-viewed spring Dover race in at least ten years. FOX earned a 4.4 final rating and 7.391 million viewers for the NASCAR Sprint Cup FedEx 400 from Dover on May 15, up 19% in ratings and 28% in viewership from last year (3.7, 5.756M), and up 10% and 21%, respectively, from 2009 (4.0, 6.088M). This marks the highest rated edition of the spring Dover race since 2008 (4.5), and the most-viewed since at least 2001. Viewership totals prior to 2002 were not available. The race drew more viewers than Grizzlies/Thunder Game 7 on ABC the same afternoon (7.141M), though it was no match for Heat/Bulls Game 1 later that night on TNT (11.109M). Of the nine NASCAR races that can be compared to last year, four have had increases in ratings, and six have had increases in viewership. Four races, including the Dover race, have had double-digit increases in both measures.(Sports Media Watch)(5-25-2011)
  • Dover Overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on Fox posted a 3.8/9 on Sunday for the race from Dover. That’s up +6% over last year’s 3.6/9  for the same race, and is FOX’s best NASCAR rating in a month. Greensboro led all markets with an 11.4/23, followed by Knoxville (9.9/18), Dayton, (9.0/16), and Charlotte (8.7/20). Through eleven races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.5/10 in the meters, flat with last year’s average  of a 4.5/9 through nine races. On a total ratings points basis NASCAR is up +22% over last year in the overnights (49.7 vs. 40.7).(5-16-2011)
  • Darlington overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR on Fox posted a 3.5/7 Saturday night in primetime for racing from Darlington. Saturday’s 3.5/7 is down -10% compared to last year’s 3.9/8 for the same race. Competition from the NBA was clearly a factor in the skid, as ABC’s Saturday night NBA game was up +32% over last year. For the season-to-date NASCAR’s 4.6/10 average in the metered markets is now flat with last year, although there continues to be a divide between the average ratings comparison and the gross ratings points comparison. Last year’s average excludes two rainouts, which actually helps the average. On a total ratings points basis NASCAR is up +25% over last year in the overnights (45.9 vs. 36.8 ).(5-9-2011)
    Final the final ratings were 4.1/8 with 6.978 milion viewers.(5-17-2011)
  • Richmond overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing posted a 3.4/7 in Primetime for the race from Richmond. Saturday night’s race was flat with last year’s Richmond telecast, and easily powered FOX to a first place finish for the night beating NBC (2.7/5), CBS (2.5/5), and ABC (2.1/4). Because last year’s Richmond race was run a week later, that 2010 rating is not yet included in the year-ago average, instead a higher Talladega rating is. Through 9 races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.7/10, down one-tenth from last year’s 4.8/10 which included two less races in the average.(5-2-2011)
    Final the final ratings were 3.7 with 6.138 milion viewers.(5-12-2011)
  • Talladega overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR on FOX delivered a 4.6/11 on Sunday for racing from Talladega, FOX’s best NASCAR rating in six weeks dating back to a 5.3/11 for the Las Vegas race on March 6. Yesterday’s 4.6/11 is down -6% compared to last year’s 4.9/11 when the race aired a week later. The race peaked at a 5.9/13 from 4:30-4:45pm.
    For the season-to-date, NASCAR On FOX is averaging a 4.9/11, +2% better than last year’s 4.8/10. Because last year’s Talladega race was run a week later, that 2010 rating is not yet included in the year-ago average. One factor in yesterday’s NASCAR decline was lower ratings in Charlotte and Raleigh, cornerstone NASCAR markets that were severely impacted by a violent storm this weekend. Viewing in Raleigh was down -28% (5.8 vs. 8.1) while Charlotte was down -20% (10.3 vs. 12.9).(4-18-2011)
    Final the final ratings were 5.2/13 with 9.039 milion viewers.(4/29/2011)
  • Texas overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX posted a 3.7/7 for a Primetime telecast of the Texas 500 on April 9, 2011. Though that’s up +9% over last year’s 3.4/7 for the primetime race from Phoenix, it’s off -12% from FOX’s last Texas race (4.2/10) in 2009 [the 2010 spring race was postponed until Monday due to rain]. NASCAR dominated the Primetime landscape with Saturday’s race powering FOX to a win for the night averaging a 3.7/7 (8-11p) beating CBS (3.3/6), NBC (2.8/5), and ABC (2.3/4). Through seven races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.9/11, up one-tenth over last year’s 4.8/10.(4-11-2011)
  • Overnight TV Ratings for Martinsville: NASCAR on FOX posted a 3.9/9 for Sprint Cup racing from Martinsville. Last year’s Martinsville race was rained out. Yesterday’s 3.9/9 is down -5% compared to the 4.1/9 the Martinsville race earned two years ago. Yesterday’s race averaged a 9 share most of the way, then popped to an 11 share at 5pm as it appeared that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would snap a winless streak of nearly 100 races, but Kevin Harvick passed Earnhardt in the final five laps to take the checkered flag in another of his patented hard-charging finishes. The fact that last year’s race was rained out has a big impact on this year’s season-to-date comparison because a mediocre Martinsville rating is now being factored into this year’s average but not last year’s. As a result FOX’s advantage over 2010 is now just +2% on an average rating basis (5.1/11 vs. 5.0/10). A second way of measuring this season would be to look at total rating points, a metric that doesn’t penalize FOX for last year’s rainout. Total viewing of NASCAR is up +22% this year (30.7 gross rating points vs. 25.1 a year ago).(4-4-2011)
  • Final Auto Club TV Ratings posted: NASCAR on FOX notched a 4.6/10 (8.1 million viewers) this Sunday for racing from Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. This was the fifth Sprint Cup points race of the season and there are several comparisons to be made to last year. The most relevant is that this week’s 4.6/10 is +5% better than last year’s fifth race, a 4.4/10 at Bristol. This year’s Fontana race aired against NCAA regional finals games, and from that angle there is no comparison to last year because the Martinsville race that would have faced similar basketball games last year was rained out. The least relevant comparison is to last year’s Fontana race, which aired in the post-Daytona window last year and earned a 5.6/11 (-18%). In addition to the overall +5% improvement over last year’s Bristol race, the Fontana race produced some positive returns among younger viewers. Sunday’s 1.6 among Men 18-34 is +14% better than last year’s 1.4 at Bristol. Through five races, the 2011 NASCAR on FOX season is now pacing +11% ahead of last year nationally (6.2/14 vs. 5.6/12), including gains among Men 18-34 (+28%, 2.3 vs. 1.8) and Men 18-49 (4.2 vs. 3.7).(3-31-2011)
  • TV Ratings down a tad over 5th race in 2010: NASCAR on FOX notched a 4.1/9 in the metered markets Sunday for racing from Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. This was the fifth Sprint Cup points race of the season and yesterday’s 4.1/9 is off -2% compared to last year’s fifth race, a 4.2/9 at Bristol. Yesterday’s race aired against NCAA regional finals games, and from that angle there is no comparison to last year because the Martinsville race that would have faced similar basketball games last year was rained out. The least relevant comparison is to last year’s Fontana race, which aired in the post-Daytona window last year and earned a 5.0/10 (-18%). Through five races, the 2011 NASCAR On FOX season is now pacing +8% ahead of last year in the metered markets (5.4/12 vs. 5.0/10).(3-28-2011)
  • Final Bristol TV Ratings down: FOX earned a 4.3 final rating and 7.240 million viewers for the March 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Jeff Byrd 500 from Bristol, down 17% in ratings and 15% in viewership from the fourth race of last season (Atlanta: 5.3, 8.510M), and down 22% and 18%, respectively, from the fourth race in 2009 (Atlanta: 5.5, 8.877M). Compared to last year’s spring Bristol race (4.4, 7.357M), the race was down 2% in ratings and viewership.(3-25-2011)
  • Bristol overnight TV Ratings down: NASCAR on Fox posted a 3.9/9 Sunday for racing from Bristol. There are two relevant comparisons to last year. Yesterday’s race was the fourth Sprint Cup points race of the season, and compared to last year’s fourth race yesterday’s 3.9/9 is down -19% versus a 4.8/11 for racing from Atlanta. The other comparison is to last year’s Bristol race, which was the fifth race of the season and also followed a bye week. Yesterday’s 3.9/9 is down -7% compared to last year’s Bristol race. The effect of last week’s early season bye week, which is always damaging, was even worse than expected this year. Sunday’s 3.9/9 is -26% lower than the 5.3/11 that FOX earned for the Las Vegas race that preceded the bye. Last year FOX came out of the bye week with a 4.2/9 for Bristol, which was just -12% lower than the 4.8/11 posted in Atlanta two weeks earlier. Competition from the NCAA Tournament does not appear to have been a major driver of the decline. Although the Tournament was generally stronger this weekend, the two windows that faced the Bristol race were up only +4% over last year (5.8/13 vs. 5.6/13). Despite this week’s decline NASCAR is still pacing ahead of last year for the season-to-date. FOX has averaged a 5.7/12 for its first four races, up +10% over last season’s 5.2/11.(3-21-2011)
  • Final TV Ratings for Vegas up: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Las Vegas earned a 5.9/12 (10.8 million viewers), which is +34% better than last year’s 4.4/9 when the race went head-to-head with the gold medal hockey game at the Vancouver Olympics. Sunday’s race also posted huge gains on average viewership (+41%, 10.8 mill. vs. 7.2), Men 18-34 (+46%, 1.9 vs. 1.3), Men 18-49 (+36%, 3.8 vs. 2.8) and Men 25-54 (+37%, 5.2 vs. 3.8). Sunday’s race also easily ranked as the highest-rated and most-watched sports programming of the weekend. Through three races NASCAR On FOX is averaging a 7.0/15 and 12.4 million viewers. Compared to 2009 NASCAR is down slightly on rating (-1%) but up slightly on viewership (+2%).(3-10-2011)
  • Las Vegas overnight TV Ratings rise: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a solid 5.3/11 Sunday for the Kobalt Tools 400 from Las Vegas, up 29% over last year’s 4.1/8. Y Sunday’s race marked the third consecutive time that a NASCAR Sprint Cup Race on FOX was up over the previous year, and for the third consecutive time, it ranked as the top-rated event of the weekend. Yesterday’s gains in the top ten markets: Los Angeles (+44%), Chicago (+136%), Philadelphia (+76%), Dallas (+81%), Boston (+84%), and Washington DC. (+39%). Yesterday’s telecast opened up with a 4.5/10, and grew steadily throughout the telecast peaking at a 6.2/12. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 6.3/13 through three races, up 17% over last year’s 5.4/11 and flat with 2009.(3-7-2011)
  • Sunday’s race at Phoenix most ever watched: Sunday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway earned a 5.9 TV rating, making it the most watched race in the track’s 23 years as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series venue. The following is a breakdown of PIR television ratings from Sunday, February 27:
    The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 earned a 5.9 fast national rating on FOX, up +5% over the 5.6 final rating for the 2010 California event, the 2nd race on FOX in 2010. An average of 6.9 million households (+6%) and 10.4 million viewers (+13%) tuned in to the Phoenix event on FOX. As an additional comparison, the 2011 Subway Fresh Fit 500 5.9 fast national rating is up +59 percent over the 3.7 final rating for the 2010 Phoenix event, the 7th race of the 2010 season, also on FOX. The 2010 Phoenix race ran on a Saturday night.(PIR)(3-2-2011)
  • TV Ratings up over 2011: NASCAR on Fox earned a 5.3/11 in the metered markets Sunday for the Subway Fresh FIt 500 from Phoenix, easily the highest rating of the weekend for any sports event. 2011 continues to take shape as a comeback year for NASCAR, as the 5.3/11 is +6% better than the 5.0/10 that Fox charted for racing from Fontana on the same weekend a year ago. It’s also +56% better than the 3.4/7 that the Phoenix race delivered last year when it aired on a Saturday night in April. Through two weeks, NASCAR on Fox is averaging a 6.8/15 in the overnights, a hefty +13% gain over last year’s Olympic-impacted 6.0/12. NASCAR also currently holds a narrow advantage over the 2009 season as well (+1% vs. 6.7/13)(3-1-2011)
  • Final Daytona 500 TV Ratings: The 2011 Daytona 500 earned an 8.2/18 in the metered markets, a +17% boost over last year’s 7.0/14 when the race was interrupted twice by track repair delays. Fast national ratings have already been issued for the Daytona 500, with the race posting an 8.7/20 (15.6 million viewers) . Sunday’s 8.7/20 is a +13% gain over last year’s 7.7/16 and the average viewership of 15.6 million is +17% better than last year’s 13.3 million . The Daytona 500 fell into a pattern established last weekend by the Bud Shootout and Daytona Qualifying in that it beat 2010’s ratings but fell short of 2009 benchmarks. Sunday’s 8.7/20 is -5% lower than the 9.2/19 that FOX posted for the rain-shortened 2009 Daytona 500.
    – Just over 30 million Americans saw at least six minutes of the Daytona 500, making this the most-watched Daytona on an “all or part” basis in three years. Sunday’s total of 30.1 million viewers is +1% better than last year’s 29.8 million and +15% better than 2009’s 26.2 million. Compared to the last Daytona 500 that was run without delay or interruption, this year’s total of 30.1 million viewers is down -10% from 2008’s 33.5 million.(2-22-2011)
  • Over 30 million tune-in for Daytona 500: Yesterday’s dramatic 2011 Daytona 500 crowned the event’s youngest champion ever and delivered ratings and audience gains for FOX Sports. A total audience of just over 30 million Americans watched Sunday’s race, according to fast national ratings issued today by Nielsen Media Research, making 2011 Daytona 500 the most-watched NASCAR race since 2008. The 30.1 million total viewers, a measure of the audience that saw at least a portion of the race, is +1% higher than last year’s total audience of 29.8 million and +15% better than 2009’s 26.2 million. Sunday’s Daytona 500 Race, which featured a record-setting 74 lead changes and 16 caution flags, earned an 8.7/20 rating/share and averaged 15.6 million viewers, marking a +13% ratings gain over last year (7.7/16) and a +17% rise in average viewership, which represents the average audience across the entire race, over last year’s (13.3 million).
    Initial tune-in for yesterday’s green flag was up +7% over last year’s start (7.6/19 vs. 7.1/17) and ratings grew throughout. Race ratings peaked at 10.9/23 and 19.8 million viewers from 5:00-5:30 PM ET as the exciting green-white-checkered finish was in progress.
    As 20-year-old Trevor Bayne celebrated his against-all-odds win, yesterday’s ratings improved +46% year-over-year in the Men 18-34 demographic (3.8 vs. 2.6). Male teen viewing posted a 3.1 rating, nearly doubling last year’s 1.6 and matching the best Daytona 500 rating in six years among Males 12-17. Other key demographics gains include Men 18-49, up +16% (6.4 vs. 5.5) and Men 25-54 up +14% (8.2 vs. 7.2).
    Nine of the top 10 metered markets saw double-digit increases from last year including Chicago (+61%, 5.8 vs. 3.6), New York (+32%, 4.1 vs. 3.1), Los Angeles (+46%, 4.1 vs. 2.8), Philadelphia (+19%, 7.0 vs. 5.9), Dallas (+18%, 7.2 vs. 6.1), San Francisco (+21%, 4.7 vs. 3.9), and Boston (+20%, 4.8 vs. 4.0). Dayton was the country’s No. 1 market for the Daytona 500 at a 20.4/33, up +61% (vs. 12.7), followed by NASCAR hotbed Greensboro, NC (20.1/35). Minneapolis also saw significant year-to-year gains posting a 10.2, up +50% vs. 6.8.(FoxSports)(2-21-2011)
  • TV Ratings for Shootout, Qualifying and SPEED: The first two events of the 2011 NASCAR on FOX season both posted increases over last year. On Saturday night, the Bud Shootout delivered a 4.5/8 (7.8 million viewers) nationally, a +2% gain over last year’s 4.4/8. The next day, Daytona 500 Qualifying earned a 2.0/5 (3.3 mill.) in a return to its traditional Sunday afternoon window. Those figures represent gains of +25% on rating and +40% on viewership compared to last year (1.6/4, 2.4 mill.) when the qualifying was run on Saturday to avoid competing with pre-Super Bowl programming on CBS. Although the Bud Shootout and Daytona Qualifying were both up over last year’s performance they also both fell short of 2009 levels.
    SPEED is posting increases for some of its key NASCAR programming. The Bud Shootout edition of Victory Lane was up +23% over last year (0.38 vs. 0.31 on a SPEED coverage area basis). Sprint Cup practice sessions are up +90% on Speed (0.78 vs. 0.41, coverage area). Last week also saw the premiere of The Day: Remembering Dale Earnhardt, a documentary chronicling the day of the 2001 Daytona 500 in which Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap crash. The Friday night premiere of The Day averaged 805,000 viewers and ranks as Speed’s highest-rated non-race program in two and a half years. The only major NASCAR programming on Speed that trailed year-ago performance this weekend was the pre-race show Race Day (-15%, 1.59 vs. 1.87, coverage area).(2-19-2011)
  • TV Ratings for Bud Shootout & Qualifying: The 2011 NASCAR on FOX season got underway this weekend with the Bud Shootout and Daytona Qualifying. The Bud Shootout posted a decline in the overnights (-7%, 3.9/7 vs. 4.2/7) but fast national ratings have already been issued and in those figures the Shootout posted a slight increase over last year. The Bud Shootout earned a 4.5/8 (7.8 million viewers) nationally on Saturday night. That’s +2% better than last year’s 4.4/8. The Bud Shootout gave FOX an easy win for the night among broadcast networks. FOX’s race averaged a 2.4 among Adults 18-49, more than doubling the 0.9 earned by both ABC and CBS. Although the household rating was up, average viewership was down -4% (7.8 mill. vs. 8.2). and ratings were down slightly across the most important demographics, including dips of -7% among Men 18-34 (1.4 vs. 1.5) and -9% among Men 18-49 (2.9 vs. 3.2).
    – Daytona 500 Qualifying averaged a 1.9/5 on FOX yesterday afternoon, a +19% gain over last year’s 1.6/4. In what may be an indication of the season to come, both the Bud Shootout national rating and the Daytona Qualifying overnight were better than last year, but not quite as good as 2009.(2-15-2011)

Born on Date: February 8, 2010