The Preakness: Rating Lowest Since NBC Acquired Rights; Viewership Hits Four-Year Low

Ratings were the lowest in more than a decade for the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The race portion of The Preakness Stakes drew a 5.2 final rating and 8.1 million viewers on NBC last Saturday evening, down 7% in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year (5.6, 8.834M), and down 2% and 4%, respectively, from 2010 (5.3, 8.421M).

This marks the lowest rated edition of The Preakness since NBC began televising the race in 2001, and the least-viewed since 2008 (7.939M).

Despite the lower numbers, The Preakness was the most-viewed sporting event of the weekend.

(This year’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)