Ecclestone Dismisses Decline In F1 TV Ratings, Calls Social Media Boom 'Short-Lived'

F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone insisted that "he is not alarmed by the sport's declining television audience and sees no need to revamp its social media approach," according to RACER. Amid viewership drops in "key markets" such as Italy and Germany, there "have been calls for F1 to make the most of opportunities offered by new media channels like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube." But Ecclestone "remains unmoved, and doubts the social media boom will last." When asked about falling TV ratings, Ecclestone said, "It matters, obviously, but when you say it is falling, it is changing. But I think the change that is currently taking place is very short-lived, as these social media people are starting to think it is not as good as they thought." When asked if he believed F1 needed to change its approach, and officially embrace social media like other sports have done, he said, "No. We're commercial. ... If they find people to pay us [to do that] then I will be happy" (RACER, 6/5).