F1's India debut rides high

Despite the fact that Sebastian Vettel secured the season's championship earlier in the year, the maiden Indian GP saw much interest in the subcontinent.

While cricket rules the Indian sporting pitch, Formula One’s inaugural Indian Grand Prix scorched heavy rubber on the India television. Despite the fact that Sebastian Vettel secured the season's championship earlier in the year, the maiden Indian GP saw much interest in the subcontinent.

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The all India TVR (television rating) figures for the event were six times higher than any GP and four times more than the most-watched race this season, the Malaysian GP, according to Television Audience Measurement (TAM) data. “For a niche sport like F1, the numbers are very good. F1 is an international event and there was a significant amount of hype associated with it, the challenge will be to maintain this interest,” said Mahesh Ranka, sport consultant.

Further ESPN-Star Sports inventory for the entire F1 season was sold out much before the races began in early 2011. Post the success the channel might look into selling the Indian chapter separately instead of a package deal.

Also, the race registered highest viewership for any Live race to date on the metros with a higher traction amongst the youth in metros.