NBC Reports Strong Ratings for Kentucky Derby

NBC Sports' presentation of the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1) May 6 at Churchill Downs, won by Mage , averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 14.8 million viewers—making it the most-watched sporting event and second most-watched show (after the Academy Awards) since Super Bowl LVII in February.

Additional viewership highlights from Saturday's Derby coverage:

• With 14.8 million viewers, it was NBC Sports' 14th consecutive Derby to top 14.5 million (excludes 2020 race, held in September).

• Viewership peaked at 16.6 million from 7-7:15 p.m. ET on NBC, as Mage took the lead in the stretch and won by a length. 

• The TV-only average audience of 14.4 million viewers is NBC's most-watched program since the NFL Playoffs in January. 

• Led by Peacock, the event posted a record Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 371,000 viewers across NBCUniversal streaming platforms—up 50% from last year (247,000). 

• The NBC-TV household rating for the broadcast (6:31-7:21 p.m. ET) was a 6.9/24.

Total Audience Delivery is based upon live-plus-same day figures from Nielsen and digital data from Adobe Analytics.



TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2023 KENTUCKY DERBY (Race Portion)

1.    Louisville    26.6/65

2.    Cincinnati     16.3/46

3.    Ft. Myers    15.2/41

4.    Knoxville    13.4/32

5.    West Palm Beach    13.2/32

6.    Buffalo    11.7/33

7.    New Orleans    10.8/24

8.    Hartford    10.7/33

9.    Baltimore    10.4/35

10.    Minneapolis    10.2/32