KY Derby Most Watched Sports Event Since Super Bowl

NBC Sports' presentation of the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1), 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 (behind only the Academy Awards) since Super Bowl LVII in February.

Additional viewership highlights from Saturday's Kentucky Derby coverage:

• With 14.8 million viewers, the Kentucky Derby is NBC Sports' 14th consecutive presentation of the "Run for the Roses" to top 14.5 million viewers (excludes 2020 event, which was held in September).
• Viewership peaked at 16.6 million viewers from 7-7:15 p.m. ET on NBC, as Mage took the lead in the homestretch and won by a length. Mage is only the third horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year old, joining 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify  , and Apollo (1882).
• The TV-only average audience of 14.4 million viewers is NBC's most-watched program since the NFL Playoffs in January.
• Led by NBC's streaming service 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.

In two weeks, the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) will be broadcast on NBC Sports May 20. Mage attempts the next step in his Triple Crown quest. NBC Sports' coverage of  the Preakness from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore begins with the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday, May 19, at 4:30 p.m. ET on Peacock. Preakness coverage begins at beginning at 1 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock and then continues at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.