NASCAR - Television Ratings Thread

Thursday’s NASCAR Cup Series race from Kansas averaged a 0.9 rating and 1.47 million viewers on NBCSN, marking the least-watched Cup race on any network since at least 2001. The previous low was 1.51 million for another midweek race this season, Charlotte on FS1 in May. The 0.9 rating tied Charlotte as the lowest since at least ’01.

Midweek races now account for the three smallest Cup Series audiences since at least 2000, with Martinsville in June ranking third (1.71M).

The four midweek Cup Series races this season have averaged 1.71 million viewers across FS1 and NBCSN, down 37% from the average for Sunday races on those networks (2.73M). Adding in last week’s NASCAR All-Star Race, the midweek average of 1.75 million is still down 36% from Sunday levels.

— Sports Media Watch —
 
It’s hard to get people to change viewing habits. Being built on Sunday afternoon races, it won’t occur to many fans that a Wednesday or Thursday race is happening unless there’s a lot of promotion behind it or they’re active followers online (many really aren’t).

Races ending after 11 PM eastern on a weeknight aren’t very convenient for the working crowd either.
 
FLRacingFan said:
It’s hard to get people to change viewing habits. Being built on Sunday afternoon races, it won’t occur to many fans that a Wednesday or Thursday race is happening unless there’s a lot of promotion behind it or they’re active followers online (many really aren’t).

Races ending after 11 PM eastern on a weeknight aren’t very convenient for the working crowd either.
Click to expand...
If they are real fans then they will be aware of when the races will air.
East coast isn’t the only viewer region.
 
FLRacingFan said:
It’s hard to get people to change viewing habits. Being built on Sunday afternoon races, it won’t occur to many fans that a Wednesday or Thursday race is happening unless there’s a lot of promotion behind it or they’re active followers online (many really aren’t).

Races ending after 11 PM eastern on a weeknight aren’t very convenient for the working crowd either.
Click to expand...
They are certainly testing the waters though and it gives the Cup teams a chance to rest up during this time.

I like the idea, but as you said I doubt this is along term thing. I feel as if NASCAR decides to do more mid-week races make it a 400k race because it certainly worked at Charlotte in intensifying the race and creating more action. Not only that it condenses the races to like two in a half or three hours which would be perfect for a mid-week race IMO.
 
BobbyFord said:
If they are real fans then they will be aware of when the races will air.
East coast isn’t the only viewer region.
Click to expand...

Sure but nearly 50% of the population is in the Eastern time zone and over 75% is in either the Eastern or Central time zones.

As @FLRacingFan said weeknight races aren't very conducive to the working crowd.
 
carolinabuff said:
Sure but nearly 50% of the population is in the Eastern time zone and over 75% is in either the Eastern or Central time zones.

As @FLRacingFan said weeknight races aren't very conducive to the working crowd.
Click to expand...
Especially if you work 2nd shift. Recording is an option, but I have to stay away from social media till I can view the recording. Spoilers and such...
 
BobbyFord said:
NASCAR wants to appeal to all of the dollars, not just the eastern coin.
Click to expand...

Understood and that's undoubtedly why we see the Sunday races starting later in the afternoon and no longer have 1pm EST races. But at the same time they can't kill their viewership just to try and appeal to west coast where less than 20% of the population lives.

It'd be interesting to see viewership percentage by time zone but that's probably not available.
 
Kiante said:
They are certainly testing the waters though and it gives the Cup teams a chance to rest up during this time.

I like the idea, but as you said I doubt this is along term thing. I feel as if NASCAR decides to do more mid-week races make it a 400k race because it certainly worked at Charlotte in intensifying the race and creating more action. Not only that it condenses the races to like two in a half or three hours which would be perfect for a mid-week race IMO.
Click to expand...
They were needed this year for sure, and it gave them something to evaluate. I wouldn’t expect many on the 2021 schedule next month though. They were always more of an NBC interest to begin with, FOX has never wanted much to do with them.
 
carolinabuff said:
It'd be interesting to see viewership percentage by time zone but that's probably not available.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I'd like to know if the dropoff for weeknight races is the same for PDT / MDT viewers as EDT / CDT ones.

I won't be upset if they never schedule another weeknight race.
 
Hey, guys, I'm with Charlie as I don't care about weeknight races but I wouldn't necessarily give up on them just yet. I don't think the races were promoted well but I also think week night racing was something I wasn't looking for. I understand that many fans are against this but if they shortened up the weeknight races so they would fit into a 3 hour max window that could help. They could also try some different formats from the regular weekend races. If it doesn't work then it doesn't work but I do think it would help Nascar a lot if they could run some doubleheaders and weeknight races in order to minimize the number of races they run after Labor Day. It gets really crowded at that time with NCAAF, NFL, NBA and MLB and even hockey beginning. Just my 2 cents.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I'm 5'6"; I can't sell myself long.
Click to expand...
LOL. Short Man Syndrome is an actual thing, according to the American Medical Association. But Charlie, you have never exhibited any sign of it on here, that's for sure. You're obviously very comfortable in your own skin, my friend...:cheers:
 
LewTheShoe said:
LOL. Short Man Syndrome is an actual thing, according to the American Medical Association. But Charlie, you have never exhibited any sign of it on here, that's for sure. You're obviously very comfortable in your own skin, my friend...:cheers:
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've heard of it and know most of the traits. I favor bright colorful shirts as an attention-getting device, and have been known go Napolean on occasion. But being vertically challenged came in handy when it was raining and I could jam myself into dry places that taller soldiers couldn't fit into. It's more a source of self-deprecating humor than any real issue for me.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take my pants to be hemmed. Again.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Xfinity was about flat with the Iowa race on the same weekend last year, facing stronger competition this year.

Xfinity Kansas - 792K
Truck Kansas 2 - 447K
Truck Kansas 1 - 375K
ARCA Kansas - 200K

SKEDBALL: Weekly Sports TV Ratings 7.20-7.26.2020 | Showbuzz Daily

www.showbuzzdaily.com www.showbuzzdaily.com
Click to expand...
that competition thing might work for nighttime who's the geek with talent programs, but IMO it ain't happening with sports, specifically racing. I haven't heard rumores of the network canceling football, baseball or even hockey
 
StandOnIt said:
that competition thing might work for nighttime who's the geek with talent programs, but IMO it ain't happening with sports, specifically racing. I haven't heard rumores of the network canceling football, baseball or even hockey
Click to expand...
The race had about the same audience, with more sports airing at the same time this year than last. That’s a good thing. That’s all it was.
 
FLRacingFan said:
The race had about the same audience, with more sports airing at the same time this year than last. That’s a good thing. That’s all it was.
Click to expand...
I missed the whole thing, I thought you were talking about next year..duh. But again, racing competing with stick n ball? Like what does it matter. It's not like they are going to get rid of the less popular sport and try out re runs from happy days.
 
StandOnIt said:
Hell I liked Brad and Rusty and I can't remember the name of the female, I'm guessing Krista, it was a better team than the Gerbs IMO.
Click to expand...
The biggest problem I have with the NBC guys- and it's mostly Jeff- is that they feel the need to always be talking. It's ok to just listen to the race for 5 or 10 seconds, it's enjoyable to watch the race and not have useless pratter going on in the background. Every second of airtime does not need to be filled with talk
 
TommyGunn said:
The biggest problem I have with the NBC guys- and it's mostly Jeff- is that they feel the need to always be talking. It's ok to just listen to the race for 5 or 10 seconds, it's enjoyable to watch the race and not have useless pratter going on in the background. Every second of airtime does not need to be filled with talk
Click to expand...
hard to do with 4 in the booth. When have 4 guys ever got together and anybody get a word in edgewise. It's just a stupid idea IMO. The fan at home has their own thoughts and opinions and they don't need the gerbils take crammed down their throats along with like you said useless pratter besides.IMO.
 
BobbyFord said:
If they are real fans then they will be aware of when the races will air.
East coast isn’t the only viewer region.
Click to expand...

You need a LOT more than the "real" fans to be successful. The problem with this sport, like many others, is that those that are deeply invested in it are unable to step back and look at it the way average people look at it. Honest to God real conversation I had last week with a guy that considers himself a fan and had his orange Matco tool box autographed by Tony Stewart. "Did you watch the race last night? What race?...........
 
Formerjackman said:
The thing is, if you can't get people to watch mid-week races now, with virtually no competition, sports OR entertainment, then how are you going to do it in a normal year?
Click to expand...
not seeing a profit and loss statement I can't tell ya. So a person can "if" it to death if they want. That should make some people happy. I just tend to take what high ranking people in Nascar say at face value. Works for me anyway.
 
Formerjackman said:
You need a LOT more than the "real" fans to be successful. The problem with this sport, like many others, is that those that are deeply invested in it are unable to step back and look at it the way average people look at it. Honest to God real conversation I had last week with a guy that considers himself a fan and had his orange Matco tool box autographed by Tony Stewart. "Did you watch the race last night? What race?...........
Click to expand...
and there are some people in this world that if they can't find a problem they will make one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom