F1 reports TV and digital growth for 2018
Formula 1 has released figures to outline a “significant increase” in audience figures across TV and digital platforms in 2018, the second year of Liberty Media’s ownership.
Figures released by the championship state that 490.2m unique figures were registered during 2018, a 10% year-on-year increase.
The increase was most pronounced in India, France, Russia, the USA and China, with the latter benefiting from a return to free-to-air broadcasting on CCTV.
Brazil, China and the USA were the most popular TV markets despite none of the countries featuring a representative on the 2018 Formula 1 grid.
Brazil accounted for 115.2m unique figures, ahead of China (68m) and the USA (34.2m).
An increase was also reflected in the TV cumulative audience, which stood at 1.59bn, a rise of 3%, with Brazil, Germany and Italy leading the way in this division, which takes into account the top 20 global markets.
Formula 1 also reported growth in its digital markets, an area which was under-utilised until the final few years of Bernie Ecclestone’s reign, and which has received an enhanced push since Liberty Media’s takeover.
The total number of followers across the primary social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube – is now 18.5m, a year-on-year rise of 53%.
It means Formula 1 is the fastest-growing sport on social media, and also benefited from new-for-2018 features such as the Beyond the Grid podcast and the post-race F1 Twitter show that was broadcast through the platform at nine Grands Prix.
The push for greater digital reach has been a primary ambition under Liberty Media, which now believes Formula 1 has an average fan age of 40, bringing it in line with other major sports.
According to data gathered by IPSOS 61% of new fans attracted to Formula 1 in the last two years are under 35 years of age, with 36% under 25, citing the new-for-2017 eSports Series as an initiative that has opened the sport to a younger audience.
Share Or Save This Story
Dakar 2026, Stage 2: Toyota scores 1-2-3-4-5 but Nasser Al-Attiyah takes overall lead
Martins Sesks rejoins M-Sport for WRC Saudi Arabia finale
Al-Attiyah in a "lot of stress" after navigator mistake dents Dakar hopes
Where Sami Pajari can improve after WRC title near miss
Sebastien Ogier’s 2027 WRC future is undecided, but he won’t be at Monte Carlo
How an “informed gamble” enabled Toyota to beat Alpine in the Fuji 6 Hours
Honda “super bad” in Indonesian GP practice after falling behind 2025 pace
Max Verstappen’s one-lap gamble – and what Pirelli reveals about his Singapore sprint pole
In effort to avoid the rain, NASCAR changes practice and qualifying schedule for Charlotte
Lewis Hamilton owns up to wrong call as Ferrari struggles in Singapore SQ3
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments