A Successful Debut for Fox Sports’ IndyCar Coverage
Fox Sports made a strong debut with its first-ever IndyCar race, drawing an impressive 1.417 million viewers for the season opener in St. Petersburg. This marks the most-watched IndyCar event on any network since 2011, excluding the iconic Indianapolis 500. The race, held on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, saw a significant 45% increase in viewership compared to the previous year’s event, which aired on NBC and attracted 974,700 viewers. The peak viewership during the race reached 1,820,000 between 2:15 and 2:26 p.m., showcasing the growing interest in the series. Local market ratings will be available later this week, but the initial numbers already highlight the success of IndyCar’s new partnership with Fox Sports.
A New Era for IndyCar on Fox Sports
After ending its 16-year relationship with NBC Sports, IndyCar entered a multi-year agreement with Fox Sports, aiming to bring the series back to the forefront of motorsports. Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, an Indiana native and long-time IndyCar fan, has been instrumental in this new chapter. Shanks has emphasized high-quality production and promotion, which began with glossy commercials featuring IndyCar stars airing during major events like the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. Despite the heavy promotion, Shanks acknowledged that some viewers might still be unsure about where to watch the race, a challenge he hopes to overcome as the season progresses.
Expanding Reach and Accessibility
This season, all 17 IndyCar races, including both qualifying sessions for the Indianapolis 500, will air on Fox Sports. This makes IndyCar the only major motorsports series to have its entire schedule broadcast on network television. The move is part of a broader strategy to increase accessibility and visibility for the sport. Fox’s commitment to showcasing IndyCar’s races and events on a widely accessible platform is expected to attract new fans while reengaging longtime followers. The network’s reach and promotional prowess have already shown positive results, as evidenced by the strong viewership numbers for the St. Petersburg opener.
A Promising Start with Room to Grow
The St. Petersburg race, which saw a thrilling 1-2 finish for Chip Ganassi Racing with Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, was a standout event. The viewership increase of 425,300 over last year’s NBC broadcast underscores the potential of the Fox Sports partnership. Notably, NBC Sports used the Total Audience Delivery (TAD) metric, which includes live streaming, while Fox does not, as TAD is not recognized by Nielsen Media Research. Despite this difference, the race still ranks as the most-watched IndyCar event on network television in 14 years, excluding the Indy 500. The last race to surpass this was the 2011 event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which drew 2,448,000 viewers on ABC. Additionally, the opening practice on Fox Sports 1 attracted 95,000 viewers, further demonstrating the growing interest in the series.
The Vision for IndyCar’s Future
Eric Shanks has made it clear that his goal is to elevate IndyCar back to its former glory. With Fox Sports’ resources and commitment to high-quality production, the series is in a strong position to achieve this. The network’s promotional efforts, which included ads during the Daytona 500 and other major Fox Sports programming, havealready begun to pay off. However, Shanks recognizes that building brand awareness is an ongoing process. His aim is to make IndyCar a household name once again, ensuring that fans know where to tune in for each race without hesitation. With the 2024 season just getting underway, the initial numbers suggest that IndyCar and Fox Sports are on the right track.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
The success of Fox Sports’ IndyCar debut is a promising sign for the series and its fans. With a 45% increase in viewership, a peak audience of nearly 1.82 million, and the most-watched race in 14 years, the numbers speak for themselves. The partnership with Fox Sports brings not only increased exposure but also a fresh energy to the sport. As the season unfolds, IndyCar and Fox Sports are poised to build on this momentum, attracting new fans and reengaging existing ones. With a focus on high-quality production, strategic promotion, and accessibility, the future of IndyCar looks brighter than ever.
