15/06/2005
NEWS STORY
According to Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd, TV F1 audiences are on the rise again.
After several years of Michael Schumacher/Ferrari domination TV viewers were turning away from the sport in their millions.
However, as the FIA's efforts to spice up the sport come to fruition, and rival teams raise their game, the fans are returning to F1.
Last week's Canadian GP showed a staggering increase, with the live broadcast attracting an 50% more viewers. While Germany (2% increase) and Italy (10%) add to the feeling that the sport is bouncing back after several years in the doldrums.
In Spain, audience figures are going through the roof, clearly boosted by Fernando Alonso's (almost) runaway success.
Viewers in the UK who complained about (broadcaster) ITV's decision to run adverts just four laps from the end of the San Marino Grand Prix, should spare a thought for their F1 cousins across the English Channel. Coverage of the Canadian GP in France was halted in order to cover the homecoming of the hostage who had been released by the Iraqis.
There is still a long way to go, and F1 still has a lot more to do before it can declare, 'we are back'.
F1 races broadcast in the evening in Europe always draw large audiences, as opposed to events broadcast in the early hours.
Furthermore, despite the new transparency of F1 TV viewing figures, it is not known - certainly in Britain - how many people turning on their TV sets on Sunday evening were doing so for the Grand Prix, or merely tuning in early for their favourite 'soap' or reality TV programme.
Then again, viewing figures in Britain may well have been influenced by the sight of two people in their underwear. We refer to Jenson Button, stripped down to his Nomex vest, being interviewed by ITV's Louise Goodman, who appeared to be wearing a bra or camisole.
God forbid that James Allen should rise to the occasion at Indianapolis and interview 'Monster Montoya' in his Y-fronts.