The last stage of the Formula 1 world championship was held on the Circuit of the Americas, home to the Grand Prix of United States, nation protagonist of a real popularity boom of the highest international automotive category. The factors that have contributed to the exponential growth of audiences and interest in the Circus are different, but the “most responsible” is undoubtedly to be attributed to the docu-series “Drive to Survive”, produced and launched by Netflix in 2019.
With ten episodes per season – the fourth is imminent – it tells the background of the recent championships, focusing in particular on the approach of the drivers to the races. A format that literally drove the American public crazy, who, after the absence from the calendar in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, returned to embrace F1 with a record number of spectators calculated throughout the weekend, with approximately 400,000 appearances in the stands.
At the same time, Americans’ newfound passion for the sport is also fueled by television, in this case as regards the broadcasting of the live grand prix. In fact, since 2018, the channel that has secured the rights for the live events is ESPN, which was the first to experience the drastic first hand increase in ratings and users compared to previous seasons. It could not fail to confirm this trend John Suchenski, Director of programming and acquisition of the famous sports broadcaster founded in 1979.
Interviewed by The Washington Post, the manager explained and confirmed the gradual development of ratings limited to the Formula 1 panorama: “We have seen positive growth over the past four seasons – said Suchenski – to such an extent that double the audience year after year, in fact four consecutive seasons. I myself would not be able to find a phenomenon comparable to this, even if there are several reasons that have contributed to the realization of this reality. Many people have asked how much Netflix’s role contributed. Although I cannot quantify the exact number of users who have connected thanks to the series – he added – certainly the latter was of great help ”.
In conclusion, one of the most significant data in terms of share on the small screen is to be identified in the increase in audiences from 2020 to 2021. This season, in fact, there was a increase just over 50%, to be exact 53%, compared to the past year, when the average of viewers was 608,000 users. Finally, the data that will be found in 2022 will be curious, a season in which not only the lovers of the series “Drive to Survive” will be able to enjoy the fourth season, but which will give the United States a double appointment at home with the races in Austin and in You love me, the latter ready for its absolute debut.
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