2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup TV Ratings

2012 Television Ratings – Comparison Table – 4 Years
FOX Coverage
13 Races
(2012 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share
Track/Race 2012 2011 2010 2009
Bud Shootout, Daytona – Fox 2/18 4.2/8
3.9/7*
7.467 million		 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
Daytona 500 Qualifying – Fox 2/19 2.0/5
1.8/4*
3.213 million		 2.0/5
1.9/5*
3.303 million		 1.6/4
2.361 million (Q10)		 2.4/6
2.1/5*
3.6 million
Daytona/Gatorade Duels – SPEED 2/23 1.99
1.495 million		 1.86
1.363 million
1) Daytona 500 – Fox 2/26 8.0/14
7.7/13* (A12)
13.699 million		 8.7/20
8.2/18*
15.6 million		 7.7/16*
7.0/14
13.294 million		 9.2/19
8.0/17*
15.958 million
2) Phoenix – Fox 3/4 5.6/12
5.0/10*
9.23 million		 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)
3) Las Vegas – Fox 3/11 5.2/11
4.6/10*
8.528 million		 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
4) Bristol – Fox 3/18 4.4/11
4.0/10*
7.307 million		 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)
5) Auto Club – Fox 3/25 3.8/9
3.4/7*
6.153 million		 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)
6) Martinsville – Fox 4/1 4.3/10
3.9/9*
6.835 million		 4.4/10
3.9/9*
7.229 million		 2.1/6* (A10) 4.6/10
4.1/9*
7.4 million
7) Texas – Fox 4/14 4.0/7
3.6/7*
6.766 million		 4.0/7
3.7/7*
7.036 million		 2.1/7* (B10) 4.7/11
4.2/10*
7.4 million
8) Kansas – Fox 4/22 4.3/10
3.7/9*
6.830 million		 5.2/13
4.6/11*
9.039 milion (B12)		 5.2/12
4.9/11*
8.452 million (B12)		 5.0/12
4.5/11*
8.105 million (B12)
9) Richmond – Fox 4/28 3.6/7
3.4/7*
5.914 million		 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
10) Talladega – Fox 5/6 5.1/12
4.7/11*
8.348 million		 4.1/8
3.5/7*
6.978 million (C12)		 4.2/8
3.9/8*
6.9709 million (C12)		 4.0/8
3.6/7*
6.671 million (C12)
Talladega comapre 2009-2012 5.1/12
4.7/11*
8.348 million		 5.2/13
4.6/11*
9.039 milion (B12)		 5.2/12
4.9/11*
8.452 million (B12)		 5.0/12
4.5/11*
8.105 million (B12)
11) Darlington – Fox 5/12 3.8/7
3.5/7*
5.716 million		 4.4/10
3.8/9*
7.391 million (D12)		 3.7/10
3.6/9*
5.756 million (D12)		 4.0/10
3.6/9*
6.088 million
All-Star SPEED 5/19 2.2/4*
3.751 million viewers		 3.32 (cb)
2.1/4*
4.228 million viewers		 3.30 (cb)
2.1/4*
3.802 million viewers		 3.68 (cb)
2.1/4*
4.174 million viewers
12) Charlotte – Fox 5/27 4.4/9
4.1/8*
7.405 million		 4.5/9
4.0/8*
8.132 million		 4.0/9
4.0/9*
6.547 million		 3.3/9 (L)
3.3/8*
5.308 million
13) Dover – Fox 6/3 3.7/?
3.6/9*
? million		 4.4/10
3.9/10*
6.285 million (E12)		 3.7/10
3.6/9*
5.756 million (E12)		 4.0/10
3.6/9*
6.088 million
FOX – 13 races – SEASON 4.9/10
4.2/9*
8.1 million viewers
(12/13* races)		 5.0/11
4.4/10*
8.6 million ave
(13 races)		 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 2012 2011 2010 2009
(2012 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers
14) Pocono – TNT 6/10 3.2/8
3.2/8*
5.257 million		 3.2/8
3.0/7*
5.175 million		 3.3/8
5.344 million		 3.4/9
5.480 million
15) Michigan – TNT 6/17 3.2/7
3.1/7*
5.284 million		 2.9
2.7/7*
4.89 million		 2.9/7
2.8/7*
4.333 million
6/13		 3.3/9
5.118 million
16) Sonoma – TNT 6/24 3.3/7
5.200 million		 3.2/8
5.188 million		 2.7/7
4.479 million
6/18		 4.0
3.4/8*
5.788 million
17) Kentucky – TNT 6/30< 2.6/5
2.5
3.879 million		 3.0/5
2.7/5*
4.968 million
(was held July 9th)
18) Daytona – TNT 7/7 3.8/7
6.184 million		 3.4/7
3.1/7*
6.029 million		 3.6/8
6.127 million C10)		 3.1/8
5.277 million
19) New Hampshire – TNT 7/15 3.1/8
2.9/7*
4.775 million		 2.9/7
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
TNT – 6 of 6 races – SEASON 3.2.7
5.049 million ave		 3.2/7
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 (14) / ABC (3) Coverage 17 Races
(2012 date) Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers Rating/Share/Viewers
Track/Race 2012 2011 2010 2009
20) Indianapolis – ESPN 7/29 3.8hh
3.3
5.054 million		 4.6hh
4.0
6.377 million		 4.2hh
3.6
5.709 million		 4.8hh
4.1*
6.487 million
21) Pocono – ESPN 8/5 3.3hh
2.9
4.449 million		 3.9hh
3.4
5.485 million		 4.4
3.8
6.292 million		 (P) 1.8
(4.5 Sunday)
2.25 million
22) Watkins Glen – ESPN 8/12 3.3hh
2.7/6
4.473 million		 (E11) 1.6hh
1.3/2
1.896 million		 3.6hh
2.9/7
4.931 million		 (W) 1.7
(2.0 Sunday)
1.99 million
23) Michigan – ESPN 8/19 3.8hh
3.3/8
5.200 million		 3.7hh
3.2/8
5.028 million		 3.6hh
3.1/8
4.917 million		 4.1hh
3.5/8
5.622 million
24) Bristol – ABC 8/25 3.7
5.905 million		 2.9
5.067 million (F11)		 3.4/7
5.842 million		 3.3/7
3.8hh
5.323 million
(ESPN)
25) Atlanta – ESPN 9/2 3.9hh
3.4/?
5.558 million		 1.8
2.161 million (G11)		 3.9hh
3.4/7
2.9/6*
5.516 million		 4.1hh
3.5/7
3.1/6*
5.808 million
26) Richmond – ABC 9/8 3.3/6
2.9/6*
5.079 million (F12)		 3.7/7
3.5/7*
6.167 million		 3.1/5
2.8/5
5.288 million		 3.5
3.1/6*
5.54 million
27) Chicago – ESPN 9/16 3.0hh
2.6/?*
3.949 million		 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
28) New Hampshire – ESPN 9/23 2.6hh
2.2/5
3.517 million		 3.1hh
2.7/5
4.235 million		 2.4hh
2.1/4*
3.966 million
Dover on this date		 3.1/6
2.7/5*
5.08 million
(ABC)
Dover on this date
29) Dover – ESPN 9/30 2.6hh
2.1/4
3.581 million		 3.0hh
2.4/5
4.093 million		 2.7hh
2.3/5
2.1/5*
3.741 million
Kansas on this date		 2.6/5*
5.25 million

(ABC)
Kansas on this date
30) Talladega – ESPN 10/7 3.7hh
3.0/?*
5.113 million		 3.9hh
5.430 million
(Oct 23rd)		 3.6hh
3.1/?
5.177 million
(Oct 31st)		 4.1/?
3.8/8*
6.6 million
ABC (Nov 1st)
31) Charlotte – ABC 10/13 3.2/?
3.0/?*
5.095 million		 3.2/?
3.0/?*
5.396 million		 3.2/?
2.9/?*
5.345 million		 3.5/7
3.0/6*
5.45 million
32) Kansas – ESPN 10/21 3.0hh
2.5
3.897 million		 3.1hh
4.173 million (Oct 9)		 2.7hh
2.3/5
2.1/5*
3.741 million (Oct 4)		 3.2/7
2.6/5*
5.25 million
(ABC) (Oct 3)
33) Martinsville – ESPN 10/28 2.8hh
2.4/5
3.617 million		 3.6hh
4.923 million		 2.8hh
2.4/5
3.954 million		 2.9/6
2.5/5*
4.70 million
ABC
34) Texas – ESPN 11/4 2.9hh
2.5/?
3.943 million		 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
Phoenix – ESPN 11/11 3.3hh
2.8/?
4.423 million		 3.3hh
4.766 million		 2.9hh
2.5/5
4.201 million		 3.3/6
2.9/6*
5.17 million
ABC
Homestead – ESPN 11/18 3.5hh
3.0/5
3.445 million		 4.6
6.799 million		 3.9hh
3.3/6
5.605 million		 3.6/6
3.2/6*
5.607 million
ABC
ESPN/ABC 10 Race Chase 2.7
4.2 million ave		 3.1
4.763 million ave		 2.7
4.494 million ave		 3.5
5,489 million ave

  • notes about ratings:
    hh = household rating [cable ratings)

    (A12) = Daytona 500 delayed by rain from Sunday, Feb 26th at 1:00pm/et to Monday, Feb 27th at 7:00pm/et, aired on FOX
    (B12) Talladega ran this weekend in 2009-2011
    (C12) Darlington ran this weekend in 2009-2011
    (D12) Dover ran this week in 2010-2011
    (E12) Dover numbers from May 2010 and 2011, Kansas ran this week in 2011, Charlotte in 2010
    (F12) start of race delayed 2 hours by rain and stated at 9:31pm/et, plus a 52 minute red flag later for rain.

    (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

    (Q10) Daytona 500 Qualifying was held on a Saturday instead of traditional Sunday in 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.
  • 2012 Chase For the Cup TV Ratings: After an uptick last year, NASCAR’s Chase For the Cup fell back to record-low levels. The 2012 Chase For the Cup averaged a 2.7 U.S. rating and 4.2 million viewers on ESPN and ABC, down 13% in ratings and 12% in viewership from last year (3.1, 4.763M), and flat in ratings and down 7% in viewership from 2010 (2.7, 4.494M). The 2.7 rating is tied with 2010 as the lowest ever for the Chase For the Cup (dates back to 2004). Complete historical viewership for the Chase was not available, but it is likely that this year’s edition ranks as the least-viewed ever. Of the nine Chase races that can be compared to last year, eight had a decline in ratings and all nine had declines in viewership. Year-to-year comparisons were not available for the season-opener from Chicago, as last year’s version of the race was rained out. Compared to the equivalent 2010 race, however, the Chicago opener was also down. The highest rating of the Chase was a 3.2 for the Talladega and Charlotte races. Talladega ranked as the most-viewed race, with 5.113 million viewers. The Loudon and Dover races were the lowest rated of the season, each earning an all-time Chase record low 2.2. The Loudon was as the least-viewed of the season, with 3.517 million viewers.(Sports Media Watch)(11-22-2012)
  • Homestead TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 18, the 2012 NASCAR season finale, earned a 3.5 household coverage rating (3.0 U.S. rating), averaging 3,444,706 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Ratings and viewership were down from last year’s record-setting NASCAR season finale. With Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards waging a race-long battle for the championship that Stewart won by a tiebreaker, and the race running well into Sunday night prime time due to a rain delay, last year’s event set a record as the most-viewed NASCAR race ever on ESPN with 6.8 million viewers and a 4.6 household coverage rating.(ESPN).(11-20-2012)
  • Phoenix TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 11, earned a 3.3 household coverage rating (2.8 U.S. rating), averaging 4,423,473 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was even with last year’s race and up from a 2.9 for the race in 2010..(ESPN)(11-13-2012)
  • Texas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 4, earned a 2.9 household coverage rating (2.5 U.S. rating), averaging 3,943,274 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race earned a 3.4 household coverage rating and 4.726 million viewers. Greensboro, N.C., led the nation with an 8.7 rating, with Charlotte second at 7.2. Greenville, S.C., (6.9), Norfolk (5.8) and Birmingham (5.7) rounded out the top five.(ESPN(11-7-2012)
  • Martinsville TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 28, earned a 2.8 household coverage rating (2.4 U.S. rating), averaging 3,617,199 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s telecast earned a 3.6 household coverage rating, while the rating was the same as the 2010 race telecast. Greensboro, N.C., led the nation with a 7.6 rating, followed by Birmingham (6.3), Richmond and Charlotte (5.9) and Norfolk (5.6).(ESPN)(10-31-2012)
  • Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 21, earned a 3.0 household coverage rating (2.5 U.S. rating), averaging 3,896,638 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 3.1 rating while the 2010 race earned a 2.7. Among markets around the country, Greensboro, N.C., was the highest-rated for the Sprint Cup race at 8.2, while the race’s home market of Kansas City was fifth at 5.8. Charlotte (6.6), Greenville, S.C. (6.1) and Knoxville, Tenn. (5.9) were second through fourth.(ESPN)(10-23-2012)
  • Charlotte TV Ratings: Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Charlotte, the fifth race of the Chase For the Cup, drew a 3.0 overnight rating on ABC — even with last year (3.0), but up 3% from 2010 (2.9). The 3.0 is tied as the highest overnight of the 2012 Chase For the Cup, matching last week’s Talladega race on ESPN (3.0), and surpassing Dover (2.1), New Hampshire (2.2) and Chicago.(Sports Business Daily via Sports Media Watch)
    AND ABC’s live telecast of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Oct. 13, earned a 3.2 rating, averaging 5,095,231 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. It was the third consecutive year that the race earned a 3.2 rating.(ESPN)(10-16-2012)
  • Talladega TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 7, attracted an average audience of 5,113,374 that saw Matt Kenseth drive to victory in the 500-mile race. The telecast earned a 3.7 household coverage rating (3.2 U.S. rating), according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race, which was run later in October, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating while the 2010 race rated 3.6.(ESPN)(10-9-2012)
  • Dover TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 30, earned a 2.6 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,581,380 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from last year’s race, which earned a 3.0 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(10-2-2012)
  • 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. 23, earned a 2.6 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,516,958 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from a 3.1 for last year’s race.(ESPN)(9-25-2012)
  • Chicago TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the opening race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 16, earned a 3.0 household coverage rating (2.6 U.S. rating), averaging 3,948,966 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race marked the first time the Chase opened at Chicagoland but the event was rained out and run on Monday. The 2010 Chase opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway earned a 2.6 household coverage rating on ESPN (ESPN)(9-18-2012)
  • Richmond TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of Saturday night’s rain-plagued NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway won the night across all broadcast and cable networks, ranking as the most-viewed program among households and total viewers. The telecast earned a 3.3 rating, averaging 5,078,987 viewers in 3,720,390 households, according to the Nielsen Company. Due to rain, the start of the race was delayed more than an hour, and then a red flag for more rain delayed the finish until past 1:30am/et. The rating was down from a 3.7 for last year’s event, when the race was run and telecast as scheduled, but up from a 3.1 for the 2010 race.(ESPN)(9-11-2012)
  • Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night, Sept. 2, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating (3.4 U.S. rating), averaging 5,557,932 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race was weather-delayed and run on a Tuesday, but the rating is even with the 3.9 earned when the race was run and telecast as scheduled in 2010.(ESPN)(9-5-2012)
  • Bristol TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was the most-viewed summer race at Bristol for ESPN or ABC and earned a 3.7 rating, averaging 5,905,051 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The viewership mark was set despite the race being pre-empted on ABC in Buffalo, Detroit, Rochester and Tulsa by NFL preseason games and in Miami due to hurricane coverage. The race telecast aired on different channels in those markets that are not included in the national rating. The rating was up from a 3.4 rating for the 2010 race, which was run and telecast as scheduled. Due to unusual circumstances, the 2011 race aired in part of the country on ABC, earning a 2.9 rating, but aired in other parts of the country on both ESPN and ESPN2. Hurricane Irene coverage in much of the East and NFL preseason games in some other markets led to the unusual TV coverage. Charlotte led all TV markets with a 9.9 rating for Saturday’s Bristol telecast, followed closely by Indianapolis with a 9.8 rating.(ESPN)(8-28-2012)
  • Michigan TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 19, earned a 3.8 household coverage rating (3.3 U.S. rating), averaging 5,199,791 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race was the first to not air against the Olympics since ESPN took over the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule at the end of July and the rating was up from a 3.7 for last year’s race.(ESPN)(8-21-2012)
  • Watkins Glen TV Ratings: On the final weekend of the Olympics, ESPN’s live telecast the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Sunday, Aug. 12, earned a 3.3 household coverage rating (2.8 U.S. rating), averaging 4,472,687 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race was rained out and run on a Monday. The 2010 race was run and telecast as scheduled and earned a 3.6 household coverage rating while not airing on an Olympics weekend.(ESPN)(8-14-2012)
  • Pocono TV Ratings: In the second weekend of the Olympics, ESPN’s live telecast of the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 5, earned a 3.3 household coverage rating (2.9 U.S. rating), averaging 4,448,849 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s Pocono race, which was also rain-delayed but did not air against the Olympics, earned a 3.9 household coverage rating.(ESPN)(8-7-2012)
  • Indianapolis TV Ratings: On the opening weekend of the Olympics, ESPN’s live telecast of the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 29, earned a 3.8 household coverage rating (3.3 U.S. rating), averaging 5,054,089 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s Brickyard 400 telecast, which did not air against Olympic competition, earned a 4.6 household coverage rating and tied with the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway as ESPN’s highest-rated NASCAR Sprint Cup telecast of the year (ESPN).(7-31-2012)
  • TNT Wraps up 2012 NASCAR races: TNT wrapped up its six race portion of the NASCAR SPRINT CUP on Sunday afternoon [July 15th] with a 3.1/8 (4.8 million viewers) for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon, up +7% over a 2.9/7 (4.6 million) for the same race last year and ranked as the top-rated event of the weekend. For six races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on TNT averaged a 3.2/7 (5.0 million viewers), flat with last year’s 3.2/7 on Households, but down -3% on average audience (vs. 5.2 million).(7-22-2012)
  • New Hampshire TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on TNT averaged 2.9/7 for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. That’s flat with last year’s performance and ranked as the top-rated sports event of the weekend.
    Turner Sports’ coverage of the NASCAR Summer Series averaged a 3.1 U.S. HH rating over the six-race schedule, an increase of three percent when compared with last year’s 2.9 U.S. HH rating. The corresponding average of 5.1 million total viewers is even with last year. For six consecutive weeks, TNT’s NASCAR coverage delivered the highest-rated and most-viewed program of the day on ad-supported cable.
    Additional highlights:
    TNT’s signature Wide Open coverage of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Powered by Coca-Cola, combined with the first-ever simulcast on truTV, generated a 3.8 U.S. HH rating and 6.2 million total viewers to become the highest-rated and most-viewed Daytona 400 since 2008 (3.8 U.S. HH rating and 6.4 million total viewers).
    Turner Sports’ Coke Zero 400 telecast (Saturday, July 7) delivered the most-viewed program of the day across all television among households, total viewers and key demos including Adults 18-49, Adults 25-54, Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. TNT’s telecast of the race ranked as basic cable’s No. 1 program of the week among viewers and Adults 25-54 (TNT).(7-17-2012)
  • Daytona TV Ratings posted: TNT’s signature Wide Open coverage of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Powered by Coca-Cola, combined with the first-ever simulcast on truTV, generated a 3.8 U.S. household rating and 6,184,000 total viewers to become the highest-rated and most-viewed Daytona 400 since 2008 (3.8 U.S. HH rating and 6,390,000 total viewers), based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. Saturday’s prime-time coverage (7:30-10:32 p.m. ET) is up 12% compared with last year’s 3.4 U.S. HH rating and three percent over the average of 6,029,000 total viewers in 2011.(Turner Sports)
    NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING on TNT averaged a 3.1/6 on Saturday night for the race from Daytona. That’s flat with last year’s performance and ties as the highest-rated event of the weekend. Saturday’s race which also aired on TRU-TV averaged a 0.4/1 to bring Saturday’s total race figure to a 3.5/7.(7-9-2012)
  • Overnight TV ratings for Kentucky: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on TNT did a 2.6/5 on Saturday night for the Quagder State 400, down -4% from last year’s 2.7/5 when the race ran on Saturday night, 7/9/11. This brings TNT’s positive start for the Sprint Cup season to a halt as the previous three races were either flat or up over 2011. For four telecasts , NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing is averaging a 3.0/7 in the overnights on TNT, up +3% over last year’s 2.9/7.(7-3-2012)
  • Sonoma TV Ratings posted: For the third straight week, ratings and viewership increased for NASCAR on TNT. Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350 from Sonoma earned a 3.3 U.S. rating and 5.200 million viewers on TNT, up a tick in ratings and virtually even in viewership compared to last year (3.2, 5.188M), and up 22% and 16%, respectively, from 2010 (2.7, 4.479M). The telecast ranks as the third straight Sprint Cup race on TNT to have an increase in ratings and viewership compared to last year. So far this season, NASCAR coverage on TNT has averaged a 3.3 U.S. rating, up 6% from a 3.1 through the comparable point last year.(Sports Media Watch)
    AND NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on TNT averaged a 3.3/7 (5.2 million viewers) on Sunday for the race from Sonoma. That’s up +3% over last year’s 3.2/8 (5.2 million) and ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend. Through three races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on TNT is averaging a 3.3/8 (5.3 million viewers), up one-tenth over last year’s 3.2/8 (5.1 million viewers).(6-27-2012)
  • Michigan TV Ratings posted: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Michigan, which was delayed 90 minutes due to rain, drew a 3.2 U.S. rating and 5.284 million viewers on TNT — up 10% in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year (2.9, 4.890M), and up 10% and 22%, respectively, from 2010 (2.9, 4.333M). This marks the highest rated edition of the race since 2009 (3.3), and the most-viewed since 2006 (7.106M). Both TNT telecasts this season have had increases in ratings compared to last year — no small feat, considering that ten of the thirteen FOX telecasts suffered declines.(TV By the Numbers / Sports Media Watch)(6-20-2012)
  • Michigan TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Michigan drew a 3.1 overnight rating on TNT Sunday afternoon, up 15% from last year (2.7). The race marked the first time in four years that Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a Sprint Cup race. Despite the increase, the 3.1 is the lowest of the season for any NASCAR Sprint Cup race, and marks a slight drop from a 3.2 for the previous week’s Pocono 400. (Sports Media Watch)
    AND NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING on TNT earned a solid 3.0/7 Sunday afternoon for the Michigan 400. That’s up +11% over last year’s 2.7/7 for the
    same race.(6-19-2012)
  • TV Ratings posted for Pocono: the TV Ratings for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday posted an overnight rating of 3/2/8 for TNT, up from last years Pocono 500 rating of 3.0/7.(6-12-2012)
  • Final Dover TV Ratings posted: The season finale of NASCAR on FOX suffered a double-digit drop in ratings. Last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup FedEx 400 from Dover drew a 3.7 final rating on FOX, down 16% from last year (4.4), but even with 2010 (3.7). The 3.7 rating is tied as the lowest for the FedEx 400 since the 2004 race on FX (3.4). The 16% decline for last week’s race is the second-largest of the season for NASCAR on FOX, behind only the 17% decline for the rain-affected Auto Club 400 from Fontana. The race only had a 5% decline in the overnights. For the season, ten of thirteen NASCAR telecasts on FOX suffered declines in ratings compared to last year. Seven of those ten telecasts were down by less than ten percent — including four telecasts that were off by just a tenth of a ratings point. Only two races were up from last year — the Food City 500 from Bristol (+2%) and the STP 400 from Kansas (+10%). The latter race moved from June to April (Sports Media Watch)(6-10-2012)
  • Overnight Dover TV Ratings posted: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on Fox concluded its 2012 campaign with a 3.6/9 on Sunday afternoon for the Fedex 400 from Dover, off -5% from last year’s 3.8/9 for the comparable race from Kansas. NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX finishes up with a 4.2/9 metered market rating for the season, off -5% from last year’s average of a 4.4/10. NASCAR on Fox was down -8% in the metered markets for the first five races of the season, then flat for the eight races thereafter.(6-4-2012)
  • Final Coca-Cola 600 TV Ratings posted: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX posted a 4.4/9 (7.4 million viewers) Sunday night for the Coca-Coal 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. That’s down -2% from last year’s Coca-Cola 600 which did a 4.5/9 (8.1 million), Sunday’s performance was strong enough to once again outrate the Indianapolis 500 on ABC (4.3/12 – 6.9 million viewers) for the fifth straight year. Heading into the final week of the season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.9/10 (8.1 million viewers), off -4% from last year’s 5.1/11 (8.8 million viewers).(6-1-2012)
  • Overnight Charlotte TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX averaged a 4.1/8 on Sunday night for the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. That’s up +2% over last year’s 4.0/8 and is the best metered rating for the event since 2008’s 4.4/10. In overnight ratings the Coke 600 tied with the 4.1/11 earned by the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day on ABC. Heading into the final week of the season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.3/9, off -4% from last year’s 4.5/10.(5-29-2012)
  • Overnight Darlington TV Ratings: FOX’s third and final Saturday night NASCAR Sprint Cup Race averaged a 3.5/7 [5.716 million viewers] for the race from Darlington Raceway. Though that’s down -8% from last year’s 3.8/9 for the race from Dover on the same weekend, it’s flat with last year’s Darlington race. Through 11 races, NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX is averaging a 4.3/9, down -4% from last year’s 4.5/10.(5-15-2012)
  • Overnight Talladega TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing from Talladega Superspeedway drew a 4.7/11 for NASCAR on FOX coverage of the Aaron’s 499. Sunday’s 4.7/11 is +34% better than the 3.5/7 FOX earned for racing from Darlington Raceway on the comparable 2011 weekend, and it’s +2% better than the 4.6/11 the Talladega race delivered last year when it fell two weeks earlier. For the entire season, NASCAR On FOX trails last year’s pace by -4% (4.4/9 vs. 4.6/9).(5-8-2012)
  • Final Richmond TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing from Richmond International Raceway averaged a 3.6/7 (5.9 million viewers) Saturday night on FOX, down -3% from last year’s race which averaged a 3.7/7 (6.1 million). For the night in Primetime, NASCAR delivered FOX a first place finish. Through nine races, NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX is averaging a 5.0/10 (8.3 million viewers).(5-4-2012)
  • Overnight TV Ratings for Richmond: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX averaged a 3.4/6 on Saturday night for the race from Richmond International Raceway. That’s flat with last year’s performance of a 3.4/7 for the same race. Through nine races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.4/9 in the meters, off -6% from last year’s 4.7/10.(4-30-2012)
  • Final Kansas TV Ratings: FOX posted a 4.3/10 (6.8 million viewers) on Sunday for the STP 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Kansas Speedway. Though that’s down -17% from last year’s 5.2/13 (9.0 million) for the race from Talladega, it’s up +10% over last year’s 3.9/10 (6.3 million) Kansas race which aired later in the season [June 6, 2011]. Sunday’s 4.3/10 also ranked as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend. Through eight races,
    NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.2/11 (8.6 million viewers).(4-27-2012)
  • Kansas Overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on Fox posted a 3.7/9 on Sunday for the STP 400 from Kansas Speedway. Though that’s off -20% from last year’s 4.6/11 for the Talladega 400 which aired on the comparable weekend, it’s off just one-tenth from last year’s Kansas race which aired later in the season, and when the nationals are released, it’s expected to rank as the top-rated event of the weekend. Through eight races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.5/9, off -8% from last year’s 4.9/11.(4-23-2012)
  • Overnight Texas TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on Fox averaged a 3.6/7 Saturday night for the race from Texas. Though off one-tenth from last year’s 3.7/7 for the same race, NASCAR powered FOX to an easy first place finish for the night (8-11p) beating CBS by +13% (3.6 vs. 3.2), ABC by +24% (3.6 vs. 2.9), and NBC by +125% (3.6 vs. 1.6). Through seven races caution flags are down -34% (40 vs. 61) and lead changes, arguably one of the strongest indicators of exciting racing, are down -43% (125 vs. 220). Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.6/9 in the meters, off -6% from last year’s average of a 4.9/11.(4-18-2012)
  • Final Martinsville TV Ratings posted: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX averaged a 4.3/10 (6.8 million viewers) on Sunday April 1st for the race at Martinsville Speedway. Though that’s off one-tenth from last year’s 4.4/10 (7.2 million) for the same race on the same weekend, it ranked as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the day. Through six races, NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX is averaging a 5.5/12 (9.2 million viewers), down -5% from last year’s 5.8/13 (10.0 million viewers). (4-6-2012)
  • Martinsville overnight TV Ratings posted: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 3.9/9 metered market rating Sunday for the race from Martinsville Speedway. That’s flat with last year’s performance for the same race on the same weekend, and ranked as the highest-rated event of the day in the meters. Through six races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.8/10 in the meters, off -6% from last year’s 5.1/11. (4-2-2012)
  • Final Auto Club 400 TV Ratings: Hampered by rain, airing directly against the NCAA Tournament on CBS and a Tiger Woods fueled PGA event on NBC, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 3.8/9 (6.2 million viewers) on Sunday for the Auto Club 400 from Auto Club Speedway. That’s down -17% from last year’s 4.6/10 (8.1 million), and ranks as the lowest-rated race this season on FOX. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.8/12 (9.7 million viewers), off -6% from last year’s 6.2/14 (10.8 million viewers)..(3-29-2012)
  • Auto Club TV Ratings posted: Opposite heavy competition from the NCAA Tournament on CBS and PGA Golf on NBC, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX averaged a 3.4/7 Sunday for the Auto Club 400 from Auto Club Speedway which was cut short by rain. That’s down -17% from last year’s 4.1/9 for the same race which ran in its entirety. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.9/10 in the meters, off -9% from last year’s average of a 5.4/12.(3-26-2012)
  • Bristol overnight TV Ratings:NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 4.0/10 overnight/fast rating/share Sunday afternoon for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, up +3% over last year’s 3.9/9 for the same race despite airing opposite the NCAA TOURNAMENT. Yesterday’s increase marks the first time this season that a NASCAR event on FOX has posted a year-to-year increase. Through four races, NASCAR on FOX is averaging a 5.3/11 in the meters, now off -7% from last year’s 5.7/12.(3-19-2012)
  • Las Vegas TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 4.6/10 overnight/fast rating/share Sunday for the Kobalt Toolts 400 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Though yesterday’s race was off -13% from last year’s 5.3/11, it still managed to rank as the highest-rated event of the weekend even with the increased level of competition from the NBA on ABC, PGA GOLF on NBC and NCAA Basketball’s Championship Weekend which last year’s race did not air against. Through three telecasts, NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX is averaging a 5.8/11, off -8% from last year’s 6.3/13.(3-13-2012)
  • Final Phoenix TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 5.6/12 (9.2 million viewers) on Sunday, March 4th for the Subway Fit Fresh 500(k) from Phoenix. Though it’s off -5% from last year’s 5.9/12 (10.3 million viewers), Sunday’s race managed to rank as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend. Through the first two races of the season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing is averaging a 7.0/13 (11.9 million viewers), off -7% from last year’s 7.5/16 (13.4 million).(3-9-2012)
  • Phoenix TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a solid 5.0/10 Sunday for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 from Phoenix. Though off -6% from last year’s 5.3/11, yesterday’s 5.0/10 ranked as the second highest-rated event of the weekend in the metered markets. It is estimated that once the national ratings are released, the Subway Fresh Fit 500 will be the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend. The race rating grew throughout the telecast peaking at a 5.8/11 from 6-6:15pm, but last year’s race ran later and faced less competition in the closing laps which allowed last year’s race to peak at a 6.4/12 in the final quarter hour. Through the first two races of the season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing is averaging a 6.4/11, down -6% from last year’s 6.8/15.(3-6-2012)
  • Daytona 500 TV Ratings: Fox’s impromptu primetime coverage of a rain-delayed Daytona 500 rained on everyone else’s parade, driving almost every rival down in viewership. What’s more, by averaging 14.24 million total viewers and a 4.5 demo rating, Fox’s NASCAR coverage about doubled its typical House/Alcatraz numbers and thus led the network to a rare Monday win on both counts (tvline.com)
    AND Fox earned a 7.7 overnight Nielsen rating for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Daytona 500’s debut in primetime, which saw Matt Kenseth take the checkered flag. That figure is down 6% from an 8.2 overnight for Trevor Bayne’s win last year, which aired on a Sunday afternoon (Sports Business Daily).
    AND II: Fox carried special coverage of the Daytona 500, which was delayed from Sunday by rain, and it averaged a 4.5 adults 18-49 rating and 11 share from 8 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, just ahead of NBC’s 4.4/11. But the Daytona 500 was not the night’s top show. That honor once again went to NBC’s “The Voice,” which averaged a 5.4 from 8 to 10 p.m., down 7 percent from the previous week but once again dominating its timeslot. Ratings for Fox’s NASCAR coverage are approximate as fast nationals measure timeslot and not actual program data. Fox also finished first for the night among households with an 8.1 average overnight rating and a 12 share. NBC was second at 7.3/11, CBS third at 6.3/10, ABC fourth at 5.6/9, Univision fifth at 1.8/3, CW sixth at 0.9/1 and Telemundo seventh at 0.7/1.(Media Life Magazine)
    UPDATE The 54th DAYTONA 500, a race with fire, rain, and everything but the brimstone, earned a 7.7/13 in the metered markets last night on FOX. The race was interrupted for roughly two hours by a bizarre incident in which Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a jet dryer under caution, causing an on-track explosion and fire. In keeping with Nielsen policy FOX is able to exclude most of the delay from the race rating, just as we would for a baseball rain delay. Last night’s 7.7/13 is an average of the 7.8/12 FOX averaged from 7:15-10:30pm and the 7.3/17 that was earned from Midnight to 1am. The excluded portion averaged a 7.3/13 from 10:30pm-Midnight.
    – Last night’s 7.7/13 is off -6% compared to last year’s 8.2/18, which ran without interruption on a Sunday afternoon. It’s also +10% better than 2010’s 7.0/14 for the infamous “pothole 500” which was delayed twice for track repair. Prior to last night’s red-flag delay the primetime race was actually pacing very slightly ahead of last year. Last night’s race averaged a 7.8/12 from 7:15-10:30pm compared to a 7.7/17 for the comparable duration last year.
    A total audience of over 36.5 million Americans watched last night’s race, according to fast national ratings issued today by Nielsen Media Research, making 2012 Daytona 500 the most-watched in FOX history. The 36.5 million total viewers, a measure of the audience that saw at least a portion of the race, is +22% higher than last year’s total audience of 30 million and +22% better than 2010’s 29.8 million. Yesterday’s total audience is the second best ever for a Daytona 500 on any network behind 37.0 million viewers in 2006 on NBC.(Fox)(2-28-2012)
  • Bud Shootout TV Ratings: Fox earned a 4.0 overnight Nielsen rating for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night, up 3% from last year’s race. The telecast was the top-rated program of the day and gave Fox a win in primetime among all networks.(Sports Business Journal), in 2011 the race had a 3.9 rating and in 2010 it was a 4.2 overnight.(2-21-2012)

Born on Date: February 20, 2012