Viewership for the Kentucky Derby hit a three-year low, but the event still earned strong numbers for NBC.
The race portion of the 2011 Kentucky Derby earned an 8.5 final rating and 14.54 million viewers on NBC, down 13% in ratings and 12% in viewership from last year (9.8, 16.540M), and down 13% and 10%, respectively, from 2009 (9.8, 16.288M). This marks the lowest rated Kentucky Derby since 2006 (8.4), and the least-viewed since 2008 (14.203M).
This is the first time since 2006 that ratings or viewership have declined for the Kentucky Derby.
Despite the declines, the race ranks as the fourth-most viewed Kentucky Derby since 1990 (15.6M). Only the 2010, 2009 and 2004 races earned more viewers over the past 21 years.
The race earned a 34.4 rating in Louisville, down 29% from last year (48.3), but the top local rating. Cincinnati (21.2), West Palm Beach (18.4), Dayton (16.2) and Ft. Myers, FL (16.1) rounded out the top five.
Ratings/Viewership For Race Portion of the Kentucky Derby
Since NBC Acquired Rights in 2001
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2011
|
Sat., 5/7/10 | Animal Kingdom | NBC |
8.5
|
14,540
|
|
2010
|
Sat., 5/1/10 | Super Saver | NBC |
9.8
|
16,540
|
|
2009
|
Sat., 5/2/09 | Mine That Bird | NBC |
9.8
|
16,288
|
|
2008
|
Sat., 5/3/09 | Big Brown | NBC |
8.8
|
14,203
|
|
2007
|
Sat., 5/5/07 | Street Sense | NBC |
8.8
|
13,745
|
|
2006
|
Sat., 5/6/06 | Barbaro | NBC |
8.4
|
12,890
|
|
2005
|
Sat., 5/7/05 | Giacamo | NBC |
9.0
|
13,583
|
|
2004
|
Sat., 5/1/04 | Smarty Jones | NBC |
9.3
|
14,568
|
|
2003
|
Sat., 5/3/03 | Funny Cide | NBC |
7.6
|
11,759
|
|
2002
|
Sat., 5/4/02 | War Emblem | NBC |
8.3
|
12,823
|
|
2001
|
Sat., 5/5/01 | Monarchos | NBC |
9.3
|
13,800
|
(Numbers from NBC Sports)
