Early start time propels Las Vegas Grand Prix to viewership record
The race averaged 1.5 million viewers on ESPN.
The race averaged 1.5 million viewers on ESPN.
Formula 1 is expected to move from ESPN to Apple, after reports indicate ESPN won’t match Apple’s $150 million-per-year streaming offer.
The price is "far beyond" what ESPN can afford, per Puck's Dylan Byers.
Formula One races are averaging 1.3 million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, up 7% versus the same point last year.
ESPN and others remain in the mix.
Some signs are pointing towards Apple TV+ as a contender for the circuit's rights.
However, the network might pare back its inventory on both.
NBC and Netflix are the leading candidates to pickup the package.
ESPN currently airs races in the United States.
The race will now begin two hours earlier than in previous years.
Ricciardo had already hosted one F1 alternate broadcast with Will Arnett, and had been scheduled for two more.
"...I’d be lying if I didn’t say we [would] want to see some drama play out over the next couple of weeks as the season continues to progress.”