Interesting that audiences fell in the UK but rose in Italy The number of viewers across the world watching Formula One on TV fell slightly in 2012 with a marked decline in the audience in China accounting for most of the decline. While the overall TV audience slipped from around 515 million in 2011 to just over 500 million, in China there was a 34% drop, largely caused by a number of grands prix clashing with local sports events. 2008 - 600 million 2009 - 520 million 2010 - 527 million 2011 - 515 million 2012 - 502 million The 2012 figures were included in Formula One′s annual broadcast report which measured the number of people who watched more than 15 non-consecutive minutes throughout the season. "A small handful of territories didn't meet expectations in terms of reach," Bernie Ecclestone admitted, "with the Chinese market suffering a decrease which could not be absorbed by a significant number of increases elsewhere." On the plus side, figures showed an increase in Brazil, Spain and Italy, but fell in the US, UK, Russia and China. The data will be monitored closely by teams and sponsors.
It fell in France, too; from an alleged 4 millions wievers in 2000 to 2,8 in 2012. To the point that the historic broadcaster, TF1, which did broadcast Formula One for about 35 years (with an interruption in 1991) did not compete wholeheartedly for renewal, and lost the deal for 2013 last week. The Grand Prix will now be broadcasted by Canal +, which is a TV for which you need to subscribe; and as there is no possibility to pay for the Grand Prix only, but you have to buy their whole package which costs about 40 euros per months, there is some uncertainty... Rgds
The drop in the UK is likely because you need to pay for it now, and plenty of people simply can't afford to do so anymore in the UK.
I'm sure a lot of the ups and downs in the classical F1 markets (ie, not China) is caused by the local drivers, or the lack thereof. Hardly anyone of the average population here was interested in F1 until Schumi came, the TV figures tanked after 2006, and shot up again when Vettel claimed his first WDC. I'm pretty confident it's the same all over Europe, and most likely South America.
Well, Florian, that would not account for the drop of the audiences in France between 2000 and 2012 that I was mentionning above, the situation being more or less the same during those twelve years as for french drivers, that is more or less dismal... Rgds
with the popularity of F1 in latin America and among hispanics in the US, I have been surprised by the lack of attention given to this demographic by the networks especially in US.
Too many. I'd rather see stability in the regulations so that teams can develop long-term. At the moment, too many seasons seem to be a scrabble to adapt to new regulations and the seasons in between the teams don't seem to focus on as too much development is required for a radically different car the next season. If the rules were stable, we'd see more development on the track throughout the season - and that's what I personally would like to see, rather than radical redesigns every 2 years that leave a car completely uncompetitive for an entire season. All the best, Andrew.
I don't think either. Why don't they have, oh I don't know, maybe a marketing campaign? There are so many techy nerds here tuning and modding Thor cars I don't see any reason that they wouldn't be interested in F1.
Indeed. However, it's not like they're hurting too badly..... - Get a Chinese jockey out there and look out! - I'm still hopeful that NBC may do *something* ahead of Melbourne to promote their new deal here in the States. We'll see soon I guess...... Cheers, Ian
Shocking! Lack of access causes lack of viewers. Surely an MBA educated human being will offer a radical solution. Maybe put the product back on non pay access. I dont know, we might need the brainpower of Einstein to solve this.....
Even Nascar is on the decline. In the US, cheap sells....and competition for the entertainment dollar is intensifying. I spend a lot of time around college kids and most of them don't care about cars any more. When I was their age, that and getting laid were my 2 highest priorities. PC, the environment, and other wordly concerns are taking a bite out of the motorsports world, IMO.
Good point! I primarily thought about England, who have their fair share of ups and downs in terms of drivers... maybe we can correct it to: A succesfull driver will boost the audience figures, but they will drop when he's (literally!) out of the race again.
I'm not sure, but seem to recall the UK #'s remain pretty static regardless. Having said that, the switch to Sky subscription certainly hurt some this past year. Somewhere else is also "paying" for the first time this season. (France?) As I mentioned above, I'm certain the Pygmy would love that Chinese and/or Russian kid to get a ride - Both would be good for the worldwide #'s....... Cheers, Ian
Yeah, that's what I thought. Any idea what the cost is per month? And are they offering anything akin to the Sky app? That's a pretty darn good "value add" IMO. I'm certainly willing to pay a premium for premium service - Choice of cameras, timing screens etc. [Not to mention the super-secret VPN to F-chat once I get back there.... ] Cheers, Ian
I will be using SKY to record the test this week!! I believe Nerofer member here would have the cost data. He was posting with Florian above!
Are they airing this coming weeks test? I do know they're making a big deal of airing the last test (28th Feb - 2nd Mar) from Barcelona (in HD & 3D!), but this week? Dayum! Gotta get the kids pwds again! Cheers, Ian
Remove enough of the "sport" and eventually people catch on and realised its just a TV show, manipulated by Bernie as he pleases. Pete
I really and truly honestly have no idea why you watch! Do you really believe Ferrari, Mclaren and the Cans (let alone the others) would spend the millions they do if it were "fixed"? That's complete & utter BS! Sure, there were a few "dodgy" rulings when the lunatic was running the asylum, but those did not come from the Pygmy. Cheers, Ian
A little off topic, but it seems at least a few UK fans are happy; Like most things in life, "wanna play? Gotta pay!" Cheers, Ian Sky to show all four days of second Barca test live and in 3D from 28 Feb to 3 March! | Sky Sports
I'm not saying the best team is not allowed to win, I'm saying that things happen to make it closer than it would otherwise have been to spice up the show. Bernie and Max were as thick as thieves and they worked closely together. Bernie has his fingers everywhere in F1, unfortunately. He strongly influences which drivers go where, especially new drivers with the nationality being paramount importance ... for his TV numbers. Pete
That's exactly what you said; You're now implying Bernie "influences" 2nd thru 10th? 3rd thru 7th? But not the winner? Again, BS, IMESHO. +1 Neither of 'em are angels by any means, but I remain convinced that Bernie has never fiddled with the outcome. Max, yes, Bernie, no. And Max wasn't interested in "spicing up the show" but rather showing how big his willy was....... [JMB was the same of course.] He made it what it is today, that's for sure...... Better or worse is another debate. Influences? Sure, no doubt he has voted for/vetoed guys over the years. But, the team principals (or more likely today, their bean counters ) decide who gets the seat. Again, I'm sure the Pygmy would *love* a Chinese or Russian dude out there, but it really isn't his call - He may help 'em find some $, but it's *always* been that way. Cheers, Ian
No, I said: What Bernie does is if we have a run away leader they get penalised or the team gets penalised to slow them down. This makes the "show" artificially close and keeps the TV ratings up. That is not what I meant. See above for what I meant. Wrong. Bernie, not Max, bent over backwards for Ferrari to break their 21 year drought as TV ratings were going through the roof. The number of times Ferrari ended up being checked and found to have things slightly too big or small and then eventually "Bernie" would sort it was amazing. Remember the barge boards? The whole sport is completely under the charm of the money and Bernie controls the money ... he has control of the FIA IMO. Pete ps: Why was Renault's mass damper banned ... was not illegal but Renault were upsetting the MS and Ferrari glory years. Why was the RB exhaust fed undertray (can't remember the real terms) banned? ... because they were dominating too much and the "show" was becoming boring. Yes it did not stop them but closed up the field. There are many other examples ... A little word in the right FIA members ear will make a difference, you know old chap, just have another look ... wink wink
