NASCAR pleased with consistency of TV ratings:

NASCAR pleased with consistency of TV ratings:
 NASCAR appears to have found its sweet spot on TV. Though viewership remains well below 2005 levels, NASCAR and network executives are happy with the sport's performance this year and expressed confidence that its multiyear ratings decline has been stemmed. NASCAR averaged 5.8 million viewers per race this season on Fox, TNT, ABC and ESPN. This marks the third time in the last four years NASCAR has drawn right around 5.8 million viewers a consistent performance that stands in contrast to the five seasons of declining numbers NASCAR posted between 2005 and 2010. Coverage on Fox, TNT and ESPN averaged a 3.6 Nielsen rating and 5.8 million viewers for 35 out of 36 Sprint Cup races, equal to a year ago. (The race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 15 isn't counted in the ratings performance because of a five-hour rain delay.) Fox Sports executives say they compare the network's NASCAR ratings with other television programs, rather than with a TV number from eight years ago. Within the coveted male 18-49 demographic, NASCAR was the fourth-highest-rated show on TV in the first and second quarters.
NASCAR and its TV partners will face a challenge maintaining the audience that has been tuning in to the races when their new deals take effect in 2015. Next season the sport will be back with ESPN, Fox and Turner. But in 2015, it will begin new media deals with Fox and NBC. In 2015, a total of 16 Sprint Cup races will air on either Fox or NBC, which is the same number that aired this season across Fox and ABC. But NASCAR could see some audience erosion for the races that are going to cable. Seven races will air on Fox Sports 1, which is in nearly 9 million fewer homes than ESPN, and 13 races will air on NBC Sports Network, which is in nearly 20 million fewer homes than ESPN. NASCAR and its broadcast partners will be challenged to keep fans as the sport moves to those new networks. They're planning to work together to promote the changes next season.(Sports Business Journal)(11-26-2013)