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NBC Sports’ 2023 NASCAR coverage delivers viewership gains and milestones

NBC Sports’ coverage of the second half of the 2023 NASCAR season delivered viewership gains across the Cup and Xfinity Series, highlighted by the inaugural Cup Series race on the Streets of Chicago and coverage on the NBC broadcast network.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series on NBC, USA Network, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital delivered a Total Audience Delivery of 2.47 million viewers across 20 races, up vs. comparable coverage in 2022 (2.45 million viewers), according to data provided by the Nielsen Company and Adobe Analytics.

Viewership gains were driven by NBC Sports’ coverage of the inaugural Cup Series race on the Streets of Chicago on NBC and Peacock, which delivered a TAD of 4.79 million viewers to rank as NBC Sports’ most-watched NASCAR race in six years and the second-most watched race of the season behind the Daytona 500 on Fox.

Overall, NASCAR Cup Series viewership on the NBC broadcast network was up 3% vs. 2022, including last Sunday’s championship race won by Ryan Blaney, which averaged a TAD of 3.03 million viewers.

Additional Cup Series viewership highlights:

  • 16 of 20 Cup Series races averaged a TAD of at least two million viewers, up from 15 of 20 races in 2022;
  • Three of USA Network’s Cup Series races (Atlanta, New Hampshire and Richmond) ranked as the most-watched sports programs on television on their respective days, and an additional three USA Network Cup Series races (Pocono, Watkins Glen and Darlington) ranked as the most-watched cable sports programs on their respective days;
  • The July 23 race at Pocono averaged a TAD of 2.83 million viewers, making it the most-watched Cup Series race on cable in 2023 and the most-watched Cup Series race on any cable network since 2021.

NBC Sports’ coverage of the second half of the 2023 Xfinity Series delivered a Total Audience Delivery of 1.04 million viewers, up 9% vs. 2022 to make it NBC Sports’ most-watched Xfinity Series season since 2017.

Charlotte and Greensboro led all markets for NBC Sports’ 2023 20-race Cup Series coverage. Below is the full list of Top 10 markets for the season:

Rank Market HH Rating
t-1 Charlotte 3.9
t-1 Greensboro 3.9
3 Greenville 3.6
4 Knoxville 3.5
5 Birmingham 2.7
6 Indianapolis 2.6
t-7 Dayton 2.3
t-7 Buffalo 2.3
t-7 Raleigh-Durham 2.3
t-10 Norfolk 2.1
t-10 Richmond 2.1

— NBC Sports —

AND:  NASCAR finished its season on a quiet note as the season finale from Phoenix averaged 2.92 million viewers — the smallest audience for a Cup Series finale since at least 2001.

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