NBC Sports Matches Best Derby Overnight Since 1990
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
(L-R): NBC broadcast team of Mike Tirico, Randy Moss, and Jerry Bailey cover the 145th Kentucky Derby
NBC Sports' coverage of the 145th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), followed immediately by the prime-time Columbus Blue Jackets-Boston Bruins Stanley Cup playoff game May 4, delivered multiple overnight ratings milestones, according to data provided by Nielsen.
"We hit the trifecta last night with the historic drama of the Kentucky Derby and two one-goal Stanley Cup playoff games," said Sam Flood, executive producer and president of NBC Sports & NBCSN. "With the unanticipated and unprecedented conclusion of the Derby leading into Columbus-Boston Game 5, we were able to capitalize on the audience opportunity and set ratings milestones across the board."
Country House's victory in the Run for the Roses delivered a 10.9/25 overnight rating—matching 1992 as the best overnight for a Kentucky Derby since 1990. In addition, the 10.9/25 for the Kentucky Derby, which aired from 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET (race portion), is up 20% from last year's race (9.1/21) featuring eventual Triple Crown winner Justify and marks television's best Saturday overnight since the NFL divisional playoffs (Jan. 12.).
The overnight rating peaked at an 11.9/27 from 6:45-7 p.m. ET, as Maximum Security and Country House crossed the finish line. Louisville, the home of the Kentucky Derby, topped the metered markets with a 39.5 rating/69 share (top 20 markets below).