The Kentucky Derby bounced back in a big way from last year’s low.
The race portion of the Kentucky Derby delivered a 10.5 overnight rating on NBC Saturday evening, up 14% rom last year (9.3) but down 3% from 2015 (10.8). The 10.5 trails only 2015 as the highest for the event since 1992 (10.9).
The three highest Kentucky Derby overnights since 1992 have come in the last five years.
The 10.5 is the highest for any sporting event since the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game, topping the final round of The Masters by 38% (10.5 to 7.8). Keep in mind that The Masters was a several-hours long telecast, while the race portion of the Derby typically lasts about 45 minutes.
Louisville led all markets for Saturday’s telecast with a 39.0 rating, up 16% from last year (33.7), up 11% from 2015 (35.0) and the market’s highest rating for the race since 2013 (43.7). Ft. Myers, Fla., was second with a 21.3 (+29%), followed by Cincinnati (18.8, +13%), Buffalo (17.9, +32%) and Knoxville, Tenn. (17.0).
(Sat. numbers from NBC Sports)
