Overview

• The New Hampshire Round of 12 race on USA Network drew 1.29 million viewers with a 0.70 rating, down from 1.88 million and a 1.0 rating last year.
• Through 2025 the Cup Series is averaging about 2.52 million viewers per race, roughly a 13% decline from 2024.
• Denny Hamlin said NASCAR has prioritized the biggest TV checks over reach, forcing fans to chase races across USA, FS1, Prime Video and other outlets.
• This season is the first under a seven-year, $7.7 billion package with Fox, NBC, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery that adds exclusive streaming and splits midseason coverage.
• Observers cite a long schedule, a polarizing playoff format and waning regional engagement as additional pressures on viewership, with Hamlin floating ideas like Friday nights and fewer weeks on the calendar.