Canal+ announces an “exceptional” year in terms of audience
It has been 10 seasons since Formula 1 has been broadcasted on Canal+. And today, it is an integral part of the encrypted channel's program. However, this sport has been gaining popularity only in recent seasons, and 2023 is part of this growth.
The Formula 1 World Championship 2023 came to an end last weekend in Abu Dhabi. It was an exceptional season both from a sporting perspective, with Max Verstappen breaking all records, and in terms of audience for Canal+.
CANAL+ is indeed having an impressive season, with an average of 1.13 million viewers for all the Grand Prix races. This number is close to last season’s historical record of 1.21 million viewers. It is the third consecutive season that the average Formula 1 audience on Canal+ is above 1.1 million viewers.
Indeed, the audience of Formula 1 has doubled in 8 years on encrypted channels. And this season has set record audiences for several Grand Prix races. First, the channel reports a phenomenal start, with the 3rd highest historical audience for F1 on Canal+, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In total, 1.74 million viewers watched it on channel 4.
But the event that set an even more remarkable record this season was during the Mexican Grand Prix. The group reported in a statement that on average, 1.86 million viewers on C8 and Canal+ Sport 360, with a peak at 2.71 million at the start of the Grand Prix.
This 2023 season was not only composed of records, but also of memorable moments and images. For example, we will note the 10th anniversary of Formula 1 on Canal +, celebrated in Monaco, with major figures from the industry throughout the weekend, on the Canal + terrace set up for the occasion in the heart of the paddock. Alain Prost’s commentary alongside Julien Febreau for the Grand Prix, and a special show, “Big Five F1”, presented by Margot Laffite.
A year marked by the arrival of something that Canal+ is well known for, a documentary in the form of an exclusive series. “Bleu, Blanc, Vite”, a four-episode documentary series of just over half an hour each, plunges us into the Formula 1 season of the Alpine team. This series will focus on the first-ever 100% French drivers’ lineup with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
This year was an opportunity for the channel to celebrate Jean Alesi’s 28th anniversary of his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, whom we will also find in the commentary for the 2023 edition. Canal+ also conducted exclusive interviews such as Lewis Hamilton by Naomi Schiff, or Charles Leclerc by Laurent Dupin, for the final race of the season.
CANAL+ remains the exclusive broadcaster of the Formula 1 World Championship until 2029. A championship broadcast alongside the MotoGP World Championship until 2029, the WRC until 2030, and also the Indycar Series.
