Haskell TV Ratings Double Compared With 2014
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Fans tuned to NBC in big numbers Aug. 2 for American Pharoah's runaway victory in the $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I).
Viewership for the NBC telecast peaked at 3.1 million viewers between 5:45-6:06 p.m. EDT, as American Pharoah ran to an easy 2 1/4-length victory in his first start since sweeping the Triple Crown.
NBC's full telecast (5:00-6:06 p.m.) averaged 2.0 million viewers to rank as the most-watched horse racing telecast to take place between the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Breeders' Cup World Championships in 13 years. A Sept. 29, 2002, broadcast of "The NTRA Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships," which featured Breeders' Cup prep races from four tracks, drew 2.9 million viewers.
Sunday's viewership was up 102% from last year's Haskell on NBC. In addition, viewers streamed more than 100,000 live minutes via NBC Sports Live Extra, a 15-fold increase from last year's Haskell, according to NBC.
The Haskell is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), which will be held Oct. 31 at Keeneland.