Formula E on German TV: DF1 increases viewing figures for race broadcasts in the 1st half of the season

The German free TV channel DF1 has been able to increase its average viewer numbers for Formula E broadcasts this season compared to the previous year. After an average of 22,222 after the first nine races last year, almost twice as many fans tuned in per race (43,444) in the first half of the 2024/25 season.

After a sobering start to the season in Sao Paulo last December, DF1 (with the exception of the first Tokyo race) has been on a steady upward trajectory. The highlight of the season so far was clearly Sunday's Formula E race in Monaco. The race in the Principality was watched by an average of 104,000 spectators, with a peak figure of 69,000 and a total number of 342,000 contacts.

In the latter category, the Miami E-Prix was even better - probably also due to the broadcast time on a German Saturday evening: almost half a million people came into contact with the Formula E race broadcast (432,000). After the interim high, DF1 suffered a setback on the Tokyo weekend just over a week ago in terms of actual viewer figures.

However, the market shares were also decent here: 0.8 per cent of all TV viewers in Germany tuned in to the second race early on Sunday morning. This figure was well above the season average of 0.4 per cent. Last year, the broadcasts only reached an average of 0.2 per cent.

Viewership average for the Saudi races twice as high as 2024

The best way to compare the two Formula E seasons at DF1 so far is probably to look at the race weekends in Saudi Arabia, which took place at comparable phases in the season and each with two races on a Friday and a Saturday. While an average of 13,000 and 23,000 people watched in 2024, this year the figures were 32,000 and 41,000 respectively. The broadcaster was able to slightly increase its market share from 0.1 per cent twice to 0.2 per cent twice.

So it can be said that Formula E is obviously growing on DF1 - albeit still at a low level compared to previous years on ProSieben. In season 9, the average number of viewers was 248,750, now it is 43,444. This development is certainly also due to the growing awareness of the channel DF1 , which was only launched in January 2024. Nevertheless, the development in the first half of the season was positive.