F1 | Liberty Media, audience decreasing compared to 2017: "The cause is the transition to pay-TV in Italy"

Despite an uncertain and exciting first half of the season, Chase carey announced a 4% drop in television audiences compared to the 2017 World Championship. The owner of Formula 1 placed the "responsibility" for this negative data on Italy which, unlike previous seasons, broadcasts only four GPs free-to-air in 2018 ( Italy, United States, Mexico, Brazil), leaving pay-TV Sky Sports F1 HD the exclusivity of all the remaining races.

“This decline is largely due to our shift from free television to pay-TV in Italy" – explained Carey. “Excluding Italy, our TV audience grew by 3% and our Saturday audience for qualifying is even higher”.

There is also another encouraging fact: "Overall live attendance increased by 4% in the ten tracks we competed on last year” – continued the number one of Liberty Media. “Furthermore, the turnout in the two tracks not present in 2017, France and Germany, was well above expectations. In Germany, the promoter also had to build new stands to meet demand.".

Finally, Carey reiterated the growth, in terms of interest, towards Formula 1: “44% of our average fans are more interested in the 2018 World Cup compared to 2017, where only 7% were. 66% of fans believe that Formula 1 has improved compared to two years ago and only 15% say the opposite. And 67% of fans believe that Formula 1 is in good hands with Liberty, while 10% disagree.".