TV Rating 25% Higher for Breeders' Cup Preview

The overnight rating for NBC's Breeders' Cup Preview on Saturday afternoon increased 25% compared to a similar program a year ago. The three-race program earned a 1.5 rating, which is equivalent to reaching 2.7 million homes, and garnered 4% of the viewing market from 4:30-6 p.m. NBC showed The Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), Beldame Stakes (gr. I), and the Champagne Stakes (gr. I). Last year, NBC's preview on Oct. 10 earned an 1.2 overnight rating and a 3% market share. The races featured in 1999 were the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Beldame, and the Frizette Stakes (gr. I), which were aired between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. This year's Breeders' Cup preview was competing for attention against game three of the National League Championship Series (6.3 rating, 14 share) on Fox, and college football games on CBS (Auburn v. Florida; 3 rating, 6 share) and ABC (Indiana v. Michigan; 4.2 rating, 10 share). An overnight rating is a preliminary rating based on viewing behavior in the country's 48 largest markets. A final rating will be available later in the week.