Source:REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
[Saba Sports News] The ESPN platform recently released the viewership figures for the concluded F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Surprisingly, the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix set a viewership record for the year on ESPN, with an average of 1.2 million viewers and a peak exceeding 1.5 million. This marks the continued rise of F1’s popularity in the United States. Although F1’s contract with ESPN is set to expire at the end of 2025, and streaming giants like Netflix and Apple are showing interest, ESPN has demonstrated through this ratings peak that traditional television remains a core channel for reaching the mass market. We believe this viewership breakthrough reflects both the unique appeal of the Baku City Circuit and the result of long-term investments by F1 and ESPN in areas such as event production, scheduling, and cross-platform promotion. With an increase in US-based races and an expanding young audience, F1’s popularity in the US is expected to continue climbing. More races may break viewership records in the future, and this case provides a model for traditional sports media in responding to the impact of streaming services.