IndyCar: A look back at TV ratings 30 years ago
–by Mark Cipolloni–
In this article, I take a look back at some CART ABC IndyCar TV Ratings from 1993 and compare them to today’s IndyCar ratings on NBC.
The look back gives you some perspective on how much the creation of the IRL by Tony George in 1995 and the split of IndyCar racing damaged the sport.
At the time, IndyCar was at its peak, thriving with manufacturers (4-engine, 3 chassis and 2 tire). Big name sponsors filled the paddock.
As you would expect, TV ratings were good, until Tony George thought he had a better idea.
He didn’t.
I was unable to get the ratings for the races broadcast on ESPN from back that far, but with the help of the ESPN/ABC PR department, I was able to get them for all the races broadcast on ABC – some live, some tape delayed.
1993 TV Ratings (ABC Races Only)
| Net | Event | Telecast Date | Telecast Time (ET) | Live or Taped | Rating | Avg Viewership |
| ABC | AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX | 03/21/1993 | 2:00 PM | Tape Delayed | 2.10 | 2,708,292 |
| ABC | VALVOLINE 200 (Phoenix) | 04/04/1993 | 4:00 PM | Tape Delayed | 3.30 | 4,522,034 |
| ABC | TOYOTA GRAND PRIX (Long Beach) | 04/18/1993 | 4:00 PM | Tape Delayed | 3.00 | 3,947,591 |
| ABC | INDY 500 TIME TRIALS-SAT | 05/15/1993 | 12:00 PM | Live | 2.20 | 2,697,601 |
| ABC | INDY 500 TIME TRIALS-SUN | 05/23/1993 | 4:00 PM | Live | 2.30 | 2,690,841 |
| ABC | INDIANAPOLIS 500 | 05/30/1993 | 11:00 AM | Live | 8.50 | 12,235,680 |
| ABC | MILLER GENUINE DRAFT 200 (Milwaukee) | 06/06/1993 | 1:00 PM | Live | 2.40 | 2,958,793 |
| ABC | ITT DETROIT GRAND PRIX | 06/13/1993 | 3:05 PM | Tape Delayed | 2.70 | 3,500,877 |
| ABC | CLEVELAND GRAND PRIX | 07/11/1993 | 1:00 PM | Live | 2.40 | 3,191,273 |
| ABC | MOLSON INDY TORONTO | 07/18/1993 | 4:00 PM | Tape Delayed | 2.80 | 3,515,848 |
| ABC | MICHIGAN 500 | 08/01/1993 | 1:30 PM | Live | 2.80 | 3,386,225 |
| Avg | 3.14 | 4.123 million |
Note: The 1993 Indy 500 peaked at 13.5 million viewers and a 46.1 Share
Current TV Ratings (NBC Races Only)
| Net | Event | Data from |
Live or Taped |
Rating | Avg. Viewers |
18-49 Viewers |
| NBC | St. Pete | 2023 | Live | 0.76 | 1,189,000 | 216,000 |
| NBC | Texas | 2023 | Live | 0.53 | 830,000 | 178,000 |
| NBC | Long Beach | 2023 | Live | 0.61 | 1,026,000 | 193,000 |
| NBC | Barber | 2022 | Live | 0.59 | 920,000 | 193,000 |
| NBC | Indy GP | 2022 | Live | 0.60 | 998,000 | 232,000 |
| NBC | Indy 500 Qualifying | 2022 | Live | 0.56 | 915,000 | 173,000 |
| NBC | Indy 500 | 2022 | Live | 2.69 | 4,618,000 | 914,000 |
| NBC | Elkhart Lake | 2022 | Live | 0.69 | 1,087,000 | 208,000 |
| NBC | Iowa 1 | 2022 | Live | 0.61 | 941,000 | 186,000 |
| NBC | Iowa 2 | 2022 | Live | 0.45 | 719,000 | 114,000 |
| NBC | Mid-Ohio | 2022 | Live | 0.57 | 877,000 | 213,000 |
| NBC | Portland | 2022 | Live | 0.61 | 979,000 | 208,000 |
| NBC | Indy GP 2 | 2022 | Live | 0.67 | 1,046,000 | 233,000 |
| NBC | Laguna Seca | 2022 | Live | 0.32 | 507,000 | 137,000 |
| Avg. | 0.73 | 1.127 million |
Conclusion
Looking at just the over the air ‘Network’ TV ratings from 1993 to today, the data shows:
- TV ratings dropped from an average of 3.14 in 1993 to 0.73 today – a loss of 76.8% despite some of the 1993 broadcasts being tape delayed
- TV viewership dropped from an average broadcast of 4.123 million, to 1.127 million today – a loss of 72.7% despite some of the 1993 broadcasts being tape delayed
This is damming evidence of the impact Tony George had on IndyCar racing by creating the IRL and splitting a sport that was thriving under CART.
With all its warts, CART was doing a far better job at running the sport. The split, and losing the Indy 500, ultimately proved to be CART’s undoing.
If CART had retained the Indy 500, the IRL would have died a quick death and that would have been the best thing that could have ever happened to the sport of IndyCar.
We can’t turn back the clock. Current IndyCar management has to play the hand Tony George dealt them and make the most of it.
It’s a sad commentary to say the least.