{"id":1790,"date":"2025-11-12T21:04:38","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T21:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/?p=1790"},"modified":"2025-11-28T01:05:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T01:05:33","slug":"nascar-to-only-air-nine-races-on-network-tv-after-14-ratings-decline-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/nascar-to-only-air-nine-races-on-network-tv-after-14-ratings-decline-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR To Only Air Nine Races On Network TV After 14% Ratings Decline In 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the second consecutive season, the NASCAR Cup Series will feature only nine races broadcast on traditional network television in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This decision follows a significant 14% year-over-year decline in average viewership during the 2025 season, a stark contrast to 2024 when the series enjoyed 21 races on network TV.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The reduced exposure on free-to-air channels appears to be a direct response to shifting media landscapes, cord-cutting trends, and fragmented broadcasting rights that have challenged fan accessibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

NASCAR TV ratings decline<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Throughout the 2025 Cup Series campaign, races averaged 2.48 million viewers across all platforms, down from 2.87 million in 2024. This drop represents not just a numerical setback but a broader signal of evolving consumption habits in motorsports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Younger demographics, in particular, are migrating toward digital and on-demand options, while older faithful fans grapple with the proliferation of paywalls and channel-hopping required to follow a full season.<\/span><\/p>\n

During his annual state of the sport address on October 31, 2025, NASCAR<\/a> President Steve Phelps downplayed the ratings slide, insisting the numbers aligned precisely with internal projections. \u201cAre we concerned about where the ratings are? No, it\u2019s exactly where we thought they\u2019d be,\u201d Phelps remarked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His composure reflects confidence in NASCAR’s long-term media strategy, which prioritizes lucrative streaming and cable deals over maximizing network exposure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Critics, however, argue this optimism borders on complacency, especially as rival leagues like IndyCar report viewership gains through a more centralized broadcast model.<\/span><\/p>\n

One potential silver lining for NASCAR’s numbers came from Nielsen’s updated measurement methodology, dubbed \u201cBig Data + Panel.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This system integrates traditional household panels with data from smart TVs, cable set-top boxes, and select first-party sources, such as Amazon’s internal metrics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, for NASCAR, the upgrade yielded negligible benefits. Panel-only data pegged average viewership at 2.476 million, with the Big Data enhancement boosting it to 2.478 million\u2014a meager 0.08% uptick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In an era where even minor methodological tweaks can inflate figures for other sports, NASCAR’s minimal gain underscores the authenticity of its decline rather than artificial deflation from outdated counting.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a fascinating counterpoint, the NASCAR O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series\u2014rebranded from the Xfinity Series\u2014will continue airing every single race on network television via an exclusive partnership with The CW, owned by Nexstar Media Group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This marks the second year of the deal, and it paid dividends in 2025 with an 11% ratings increase, averaging 1.05 million viewers per event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The consistency of a single broadcast home has evidently resonated with secondary-series fans, offering a blueprint that the premier Cup Series might consider emulating to stem its own bleeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are NASCAR’s TV ratings down?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A core culprit behind the Cup Series’ viewership woes lies in the dizzying fragmentation of its broadcast schedule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, FOX<\/a> handled five races on network TV, while its cable sibling FS1 carried 11. Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports each showed five events, USA Network aired 10, and NBC broadcast four.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The distribution of the race amounts among the collective broadcast partners will remain the same in 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This patchwork quilt of outlets\u2014spanning over-the-air, basic cable, premium cable, and streaming\u2014created confusion and barriers for casual viewers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all platforms offered equivalent access; for instance, USA Network races were absent from Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, forcing subscribers to toggle between linear TV and apps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Complicating matters further, TNT’s quintet of races simulcast on truTV and HBO Max (formerly Max), but streaming metrics from HBO Max were not publicly disclosed or folded into official totals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This opacity likely underreported total eyeballs, as digital natives increasingly favor on-demand viewing over scheduled appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, structural changes in media ownership add another layer of intrigue. USA Network is set to diverge from NBCUniversal as part of Comcast’s broader corporate restructuring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the channel will retain its NASCAR commitment. According to reports from Sports Business Journal, Comcast is designating NASCAR as a \u201cVersant\u201d property in preparation for the spinoff. This classification ensures continuity contractually: NBC will stick to its four network races, while USA Network handles 10 cable broadcasts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The arrangement preserves NASCAR’s footprint within the NBCU ecosystem but does little to simplify the viewer experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the gloom, NASCAR enthusiasts have a familiar kickoff to anticipate. The 2026 season launches with the exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina\u2014a historic quarter-mile oval returning to the spotlight after decades. The event is slated for Sunday, February 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, airing live on FOX.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This early-season spectacle, often a tone-setter, could provide an immediate barometer for whether promotional efforts or schedule tweaks reverse the downward trend.<\/span><\/p>\n

To truly revitalize its audience in the next TV deal, NASCAR might explore consolidating more races under fewer broadcasters, enhancing streaming inclusivity across all partners, or leveraging social media clips and highlights to reel in Gen Z fans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phelps and executives emphasize revenue from rights fees over raw viewership, but sustained declines risk eroding sponsor value and cultural relevance. As the sport hurtles into 2026 with just nine network windows, the pressure mounts to prove that quality engagement trumps quantity of eyeballs\u2014or risk accelerating its slide from mainstream staple to niche pursuit.<\/span><\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series 2026 TV Schedule<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sun., Feb. 1<\/span> Clash (Bowman Gray Stadium)<\/span> FOX<\/span> 8 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thu., Feb. 12<\/span> Daytona – Duels<\/span> FS1<\/span> 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Feb. 15<\/span> Daytona 500<\/span> FOX<\/span> 2:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Feb. 22<\/span> EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)<\/span> FOX<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., March 1<\/span> Circuit of The Americas (Austin)<\/span> FOX<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., March 8<\/span> Phoenix Raceway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., March 15<\/span> Las Vegas Motor Speedway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 4 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., March 22<\/span> Darlington Raceway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., March 29<\/span> Martinsville Speedway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., April 12<\/span> Bristol Motor Speedway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., April 19<\/span> Kansas Speedway<\/span> FOX<\/span> 2 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., April 26<\/span> Talladega Superspeedway<\/span> FOX<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., May 3<\/span> Texas Motor Speedway<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., May 10<\/span> Watkins Glen International<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., May 17<\/span> All-Star (Dover Motor Speedway)<\/span> FS1<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., May 24<\/span> Charlotte Motor Speedway<\/span> Prime<\/span> 6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., May 31<\/span> Nashville Superspeedway<\/span> Prime<\/span> 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., June 7<\/span> Michigan International Speedway<\/span> Prime<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., June 14<\/span> Pocono Raceway<\/span> Prime<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., June 21<\/span> San Diego (Naval Base Coronado)<\/span> Prime<\/span> 4 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., June 28<\/span> Sonoma Raceway<\/span> TNT<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., July 5<\/span> Chicagoland Speedway<\/span> TNT<\/span> 6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., July 12<\/span> EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)<\/span> TNT<\/span> 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., July 19<\/span> North Wilkesboro Speedway<\/span> TNT<\/span> 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., July 26<\/span> Indianapolis Motor Speedway<\/span> TNT<\/span> 2 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Aug. 9<\/span> Iowa Speedway<\/span> USA<\/span> 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sat., Aug. 15<\/span> Richmond Raceway<\/span> USA<\/span> 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Aug. 23<\/span> New Hampshire Motor Speedway<\/span> USA<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sat., Aug. 29<\/span> Daytona International Speedway<\/span> NBC<\/span> 7:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Sept. 6<\/span> Darlington Raceway*<\/span> USA<\/span> 5 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Sept. 13<\/span> World Wide Technology Raceway (St. Louis)*<\/span> USA<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sat., Sept. 19<\/span> Bristol Motor Speedway*<\/span> USA<\/span> 7:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Sept. 27<\/span> Kansas Speedway*<\/span> USA<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Oct. 4<\/span> Las Vegas Motor Speedway*<\/span> USA<\/span> 5:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Oct. 11<\/span> Charlotte Roval*<\/span> USA<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Oct. 18<\/span> Phoenix Raceway*<\/span> USA<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Oct. 25<\/span> Talladega Superspeedway*<\/span> NBC<\/span> 2 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Nov. 1<\/span> Martinsville Speedway*<\/span> NBC<\/span> 2 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sun., Nov. 8<\/span> NASCAR Championship* (Homestead-Miami Speedway)<\/span> NBC<\/span> 3 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For the second consecutive season, the NASCAR Cup Series will feature only nine races broadcast on traditional network television in 2026.\u00a0 This decision follows a significant 14% year-over-year decline in average viewership during the 2025 season, a stark contrast to 2024 when the series enjoyed 21 races on network TV.\u00a0 The reduced exposure on free-to-air […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5665,"featured_media":1792,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[274,277,264,238,285],"tags":[75,83,136],"class_list":["post-1790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fox-sports","category-nbcsn","category-news","category-sports-media","category-tnt","tag-featured","tag-fox-sports","tag-nbc-sports"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5665"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1790"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1791,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1790\/revisions\/1791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}