In the realm of TV sports, where viewership numbers are on the decline, NBC and IndyCar are standing out by making impressive gains. The most recent data released by NBC Sports on September 13th showed that they had delivered the most-watched IndyCar Series season in 12 years. This marked the third consecutive year of increased viewership across all NBC Sports platforms. The owner of IndyCar, Roger Penske, expressed his enthusiasm for the growth, stating that every track in the 2023 season saw a significant increase in their fan base. He commended the promotion efforts and looked forward to a positive future.
The 2019 season was also notable for being the most streamed IndyCar season on Peacock. Mark Miles, the CEO of Penske Entertainment, shared his admiration for the sport, highlighting its thrilling races and exceptional athletes. Miles commended NBC for their extensive coverage and strategic scheduling, explaining that the partnership has contributed to the expanding fan base and viewership. The 2023 season, which saw Alex Parow win his second career series championship and Josef Newgarden emerge victorious at the Indy 500, averaged 1.32 million viewers across NBC, USA Network, Peacock, and NBC Sports digital platforms. The total audience delivery (TAD) recorded for the season reached 10 million viewers, making it the most-watched IndyCar Series season since 2011 and the highest in NBC Sports history.
Half of the season’s 16 races were broadcasted, with over 1 million viewers tuning in for more than half of them. In 13 races on NBC alone, the TAD reached 1.47 million viewers, a 4% increase compared to the previous year’s coverage. The highlight of the season was the 107th Indianapolis 500 race, which attracted a TAD of 4.93 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. It also had the highest share of viewership in 15 years. The 2023 season experienced a 15% increase in average viewership, thanks to Peacock’s comprehensive streaming coverage. This made it the most streamed season in IndyCar history.
The success of the IndyCar Series was reflected locally in Indianapolis, where it led all markets with a 3.26 rating for the season. Other notable markets for the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season include Knoxville, Louisville, and Greenville. Looking ahead, IndyCar hopes to continue building on this momentum and attracting an even larger fan base in the coming years.