(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Formula 1 debut at the Madring in Madrid delivered good TV ratings for the broadcasters in the German-speaking region. Especially the market shares were strong in Germany and Austria. At the same time, the absolute viewer numbers were within the range of the previous season values. The numbers in detail.
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On average, 1.49 million people followed the Spanish Grand Prix on free TV at RTL. In the classic target group of 14- to 49-year-olds, the Cologne broadcaster achieved a strong market share of 16.7 percent.
However, Madrid remained slightly below the previous RTL level of the 2026 Formula 1 season in terms of absolute reach: including the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, RTL averages 1.546 million viewers for its previous race broadcasts. Madrid was thus around 56,000 viewers or 3.6 percent below the current RTL season average.
Sky even slightly ahead of RTL in the target group
Sky also achieved strong ratings with Formula 1 in Madrid. According to the industry monitor DWDL, 660,000 viewers watched the race on Sky.
This means the Madrid premiere was significantly above the previous season level of the pay-TV broadcaster: including Madrid, Sky averages 563,000 linear TV viewers per race in 2026. The 660,000 viewers at the Spanish Grand Prix thus represent an increase of 97,000 viewers or 17.2 percent compared to the season average.
Sky performed particularly well in the classic target group: among 14- to 49-year-olds, Sky achieved a market share of 17.3 percent. This put the pay-TV broadcaster even slightly ahead of RTL (16.7 percent).
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ORF reaches almost 600,000 viewers
Formula 1 also delivered strong ratings in Austria. This time the race was broadcast by ORF and reached an average of 599,000 viewers.
The market share was exceptionally high at 46 percent. Almost half of Austrian TV usage during the broadcast was thus accounted for by the Grand Prix.
Moreover, Madrid was significantly above the previous ORF season level. Including the Spanish Grand Prix, ORF averages 565,000 viewers for its previous Formula 1 race broadcasts in 2026. Madrid was 34,000 viewers or six percent above the season average with 599,000.
Which broadcasters will show the race in Azerbaijan
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is only available in Germany on Sky. The pay-TV broadcaster, as usual, broadcasts all sessions live, just like ServusTV on Austrian free TV. In Switzerland, SRF reports live as usual from qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Free-TV broadcaster RTL will only rejoin the Formula 1 live broadcast at the sprint in Singapore. The next RTL Grand Prix is Las Vegas. (See the other Formula 1 dates for 2026 here!)
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