TV Ratings: F1 opener, NASCAR Fontana

The season-opening Australian Grand Prix for Formula 1 scored a 0.21 rating on NBCSN at the challenging start time of just after midnight Eastern on Sunday morning, averaging 222,000 viewers. The replay at noon on Sunday did slightly better, with an estimated average audience of 258,000. That's about on par with last year's Australian GP which had a 0.2 final rating and 260,000 viewers, also on NBCSN.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Fontana scored a 3.5 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, down 13% from last year and 2014 (4.0 both years) and the lowest overnight for the race since rain-shortened coverage drew a 3.4 in 2012, according to Sports Media Watch, which noted that all five Sprint Cup races this season have had a decline in the metered markets.

The Xfinity Series race from Fontana scored a 0.9 rating on FOX Sports 1, averaging 1.5 million viewers.

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing from Gainesville had another strong showing for its live telecast on FS1 Sunday afternoon, averaging 514,000 viewers.