Formula 1 Hot News

Malaysian GP USA TV Rating

When Ferrari is in contention to win, TV ratings go up

NBCSN's live coverage of the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, highlighted by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel earning his first win with his new team, was the most-watched overnight F1 race on cable in 18 years, averaging 384,000 viewers.

Viewership of Sunday’s race, which aired overnight from 2:30-4:55 a.m. ET, was up 55% vs. 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix average viewership (248,000), and up 217% vs. the 2013 viewership on NBCSN (121,000). It was the most-watched overnight F1 race since 1997 (ESPN, Grand Prix of Germany).

The race delivered a 0.24 household rating, up 41% from last year’s rating (0.17). Including the Australian Grand Prix, which was the first race of the season, NBCSN’s 2015 F1 coverage has averaged 324,000 viewers, up 31% vs. 2014 through two races (248,000), and up 163% vs. 2013 through two races (123,000).

Sebastian Vettel held off Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to capture his first grand prix win as a member Team Ferrari, and first win since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix, which capped his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship. Vettel’s win also snapped Mercedes’ streak of eight straight victories, dating back to last season, and was Ferrari’s first grand prix win since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.

In addition, NBCSN’s live presentation of qualifying on Saturday morning (5:00-6:43 a.m. ET) averaged 193,000 viewers, up 58% from last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying session on NBCSN (122,000).

The 2015 F1 season continues on NBCSN on Sunday, April 12 at 1:30 a.m. ET with live coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix from Shanghai. NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra will provide comprehensive live coverage of all practice and qualifying sessions throughout the week.

THIS WEEK’S MOTORSPORTS COVERAGE

NBCSN’s coverage of the Indy Lights series begins this week on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET, with the season’s inaugural race from St. Petersburg. Kevin Lee calls the action, alongside analyst Anders Krohn and pit reporter Katie Hargitt.