2024/25 season analysis: German TV channel DF1 increases Formula E ratings by 43%

The 16 Formula E races of the eleventh season have reached an average audience of 37,313 spectators in Germany. This corresponds to growth of 42.8 per cent compared to the previous season. Free TV channel DF1 was also able to increase its market share. In contrast, there was a decline in the number of total viewers.

Following the spontaneous switch from ProSieben to DF1 just over a year and a half ago, Formula E suffered a severe setback. The viewer average fell from around half a million to 26,125. In its second season, the Munich-based broadcaster was able to increase this figure by around 11,000 viewers.

There was also an upward trend in the peak values per race (time with the most viewers at the same time) from an average of 50,188 to 62,750. The so-called net reach, on the other hand, fell from an average of 228,750 to 196,563. It indicates how many different people came into contact with a broadcast in total, i.e. possibly only briefly while zapping.

Average market share doubled

The average market share (total German TV audience during the Formula E broadcasts) doubled from 0.2 to 0.4 per cent. The Tokyo E-Prix on early Sunday morning achieved the best result of the season with 0.8 per cent. In the advertising-relevant target group of all people aged between 14 and 49, the average figure for the season rose slightly from 0.4 to 0.5 per cent.

From a TV perspective, the race weekends in Miami (in the evening in Central Europe) and in Monaco, Berlin and London (all in the mid to late afternoon) were particularly successful. The Sunday race in Monaco was the top performer with an average audience of 69,000 viewers.

In contrast, the Jakarta E-Prix on a Saturday morning achieved disastrous figures - despite an exciting race - with a measly 9,000 spectators. In general, the Asian races (due to the timing) did not go well in terms of absolute numbers.

Race Sundays significantly better than Saturdays

On the "double-header" weekends with one Formula E race on Saturday and one on Sunday, it can be observed that the Sunday races were significantly more successful than those on Saturday (33,600) with an average of 47,400 spectators.

The bottom line is that DF1 clearly improved its ratings, which suggests that either the still young broadcaster is growing or Formula E is growing - or both. Nevertheless, 37,313 viewers per race is still a far cry from the last ProSieben season (248,750) and the standard that Formula E must set for itself and an important market like Germany.