TELEVISION: Walker proves racing certainty
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fans of the motor racing commentator Murray Walker appears to have followed him en masse from the BBC to ITV.
ITV's broadcast of the Australian Grand Prix, its first Formula One race, on Sunday afternoon secured exactly the same ratings as the same race did when broadcast on the BBC last year. The race was seen by an average of 3.2 million viewers and peaked at 4 million for the final few laps. ITV expects to top the BBC's figures once statistics for the number of viewers on video is included in the ratings. Almost 900,000 people stayed up until 3am on Sunday morning to watch the race live compared with 800,000 the year before.
ITV plucked Formula One's five-year contract from the BBC last year for an estimated pounds 70m, and followed by poaching Walker, seen as the voice of motor sport. The contract is valuable to the network because it brings a young male audience direct from the BBC. Formula One's organising body is reported to be considering a flotation to take advantage of pay-per- view opportunities on digital television, worth a possible pounds 1bn a year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments