NBC Sports Reports Most-Watched Derby Since 2019
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
NBC Sports offered Derby coverage on NBC, Peacock, and USA Network
Just as Churchill Downs Inc. reported record interest in the Kentucky Derby Day in terms of wagering totals, NBC reports strong viewership.
While the network will report full viewership numbers May 9, it said preliminary figures indicate that this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) coverage saw more than 16 million viewers. That figure would make it the most-watched Derby since 2019. The 2019 was an especially popular edition as the Run for the Roses that year delivered a 10.9/25 overnight rating—matching 1992 as the best overnight rating since 1990.
The initial 2022 figures suggest a trend toward pre-COVID-19 numbers. The 2020 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was postponed because of the pandemic and moved to the first Saturday in September. While the 2021 television ratings were not directly impacted by the pandemic, the crowd was limited—putting a bit of a damper on the broadcast's typically striking visuals.
Last year's race portion of the Derby coverage on NBC averaged 14.37 million viewers, peaking at 15.7 million during the 15 minutes of the race.
This year NBC Sports presented Derby coverage on NBC and Peacock with race coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. Live Derby Day coverage began at noon on USA Network. NBC Sports also covered Kentucky Oaks Day, May 6 from Churchill Downs, with coverage that began at 1 p.m. on USA Network.