Formula 1 has agreed a three-year contract extension with US TV network EPSN, to continue to broadcast races in the country through to the 2025 season. As part of the deal at least 16 races will air on ABC and ESPN each season, more than in each of the previous five years since F1 returned to ESPN in 2018. All race broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will continue the commercial-free, while ESPN Desportes will continue as the Spanish-langauge home of F1. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO at Formula 1, said: “We are delighted to announce that our partnership with ESPN will continue. Formula 1 has seen incredible growth in the United States with sold out events and record television audiences, and the addition of Las Vegas to the calendar next season, alongside Austin and Miami, will see us host three spectacular races there. "The ESPN networks have played a huge part in that growth with their dedicated quality coverage. We are excited to expand our relationship and continue to bring the passion and excitement of Formula 1 to our viewers in the US together.”
2021 most-viewed F1 season ever on US TV
The 2021 F1 season set a record as the most-viewed on US television, with an average of 949,000 viewers per-race. That average has increased to seven figures in 2022, with viewer numbers increasing as the sport’s popularity continues to grow. In the last 18 races so far, F1 claims broadcasts are averaging 1.2 million viewers on ESPN networks. The inaugural Miami Grand Prix in May generated an average viewership of 2.6 million - the largest US audience on record for a live Grand Prix.
Most read
