NBC: Kentucky Derby registers sharp increase in TV ratings
NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday's Kentucky Derby on NBC, followed immediately by the primetime Columbus Blue Jackets-Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Playoff Game 5, 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, President of production for NBC Sports and 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 (6:30-7:30 p.m. ET race portion) was up 20% from last year’s race (9.1/21) featuring eventual Triple Crown winner Justify. It also marks television’s best Saturday overnight since the NFL Divisional Playoffs on Jan. 12, 2019.
The overnight rating peaked at an 11.9/27 from 6:45-7 p.m. ET, as Country House and Maximum Security crossed the finish line.
TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2019 KENTUCKY DERBY
| 1. | Louisville | 39.5/69 | |
| 2. | Cincinnati | 20.3/38 | |
| 3. | Ft. Myers | 19.4/37 | |
| 4. | Indianapolis | 18.6/34 | |
| 5. | Knoxville | 17.9/30 | |
| T6. | Dayton | 17.6/33 | |
| T6. | Buffalo | 17.6/32 | |
| 8. | West Palm Beach | 17.1/31 | |
| 9. | Tampa | 16.5/32 | |
| 10. | Columbus | 16.2/31 | |
| 11. | Providence | 15.7/29 | |
| 12. | Boston | 15.4/33 | |
| 13. | Cleveland | 14.9/30 | |
| 14. | Orlando | 14.8/31 | |
| 15. | Baltimore | 14.3/30 | |
| 16. | Hartford | 13.4/26 | |
| 17. | New Orleans | 13.1/23 | |
| 18. | Pittsburgh | 13.0/27 | |
| T19. | Greenville | 12.7/21 | |
| T19. | Milwaukee | 12.7/27 | |