Derby Coverage Averages 15 Million Viewers

NBC Sports Group's coverage of the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) averaged 15.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Company data released May 10.

Viewership peaked at 17.9 million viewers from 6:45-7 p.m. EDT when the Derby was run and won by Reddam Racing's Nyquist. The Kentucky Derby segment (6:21-7:08 p.m. EDT) posted a 9.0/21 national rating.

The full NBC broadcast went from 4-7:30 p.m. NBC Sports Network broadcast nine races from Churchill Downs from noon until the NBC telecast began.

Though the rating and share were down from last year's 9.6/23, NBC said it was the fourth consecutive year viewership topped 15 million. It was 16 million last year, 15.3 million in 2014, and 16.2 million in 2013.

The highest viewership figure since NBC took over Derby coverage from ABC in 2001 was 16.5 million in 2010 when Super Saver   won the race.

The top five metered markets for the race portion of the NBC telecast were Louisville, Ky., where the race is held (33.7/62); Cincinnati, Ohio (16.6/33); Ft. Myers, Fla. (16.5/30); West Palm Beach, Fla. (14.6/27); and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (14.2/29), according to Nielsen.

NBC also reported triple-digit percentage growth in Kentucky Derby exposure via its video and social media platforms.

For the first time NBC aired a Stanley Cup playoff game in primetime after the Kentucky Derby. Game 5 of the Penguins-Capitals second-round series averaged 4.16 million viewers, which makes it the second-most-watched non-Stanley Cup final game in 23 years, the network said.

NBC Sports Group's coverage of the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) from Pimlico Race Course will begin May 20 at 3 p.m. on NBCSN. The program will feature the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies.

NBCSN will return May 21 with Preakness day coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Preakness telecast on NBC beginning at 5 p.m.

Nyquist arrived at the Baltimore, Md., track the evening of May 9.