NBC Sports' coverage of the 140th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 3 averaged 15.3 million viewers, according to fast national data provided today by The Nielsen Company.
California Chrome 's victory in Saturday's race (6:06-6:52 p.m. ET) marks the fourth time in six years (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014) that NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage averaged more than 15 million viewers. From 1991-2008, Kentucky Derby average viewership did not reach 15 million.
—Viewership increased 3% from 2012 (14.8 million for I'll Have Another 's victory)--the last time the Kentucky Derby faced head-to-head competition from the NBA Playoffs.
—NBC's 9.4/22 household rating for the Kentucky Derby ranks as the best Saturday rating on any network since the 2014 Sochi Olympics on NBC (9.6/17 on Feb. 15).
—Louisville, the home of the Kentucky Derby, topped the metered markets with a 37.8 rating/66 share (top 20 markets listed below).
Fans live-streamed a record 4.38 million minutes of the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Live Extra—the NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets—a 59% increase over last year for coverage which included four exclusive camera angles (grandstand, paddock, overhead, jockey), bonus analysis from NBC Sports commentators, and replays and footage from key "Road to the Kentucky Derby" prep races.
| KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWERSHIP | |||
| 2014 | 15.3 million | NBC | California Chrome |
| 2013 | 16.2 million | NBC | Orb |
| 2012 | 14.8 million | NBC | I’ll Have Another |
| 2011 | 14.5 million | NBC | Animal Kingom |
| 2010 | 16.5 million | NBC | Super Saver |
| 2009 | 16.1 million | NBC | Mine That Bird |
| 2008 | 14.2 million | NBC | Big Brown |
| 2007 | 13.7 million | NBC | Street Sense |
| 2006 | 12.9 million | NBC | Barbaro |
| 2005 | 13.6 million | NBC | Giacomo |
| 2004 | 14.6 million | NBC | Smarty Jones |
| 2003 | 11.8 million | NBC | Funny Cide |
| 2002 | 12.8 million | NBC | War Emblem |
| 2001 | 13.5 million | NBC | Monarchos |
| 2000 | 9.1 million | ABC | Fusaichi Pegasus |
| 1999 | 9.9 million | ABC | Charismatic |
| 1998 | 9.5 million | ABC | Real Quiet |
| 1997 | 11.3 million | ABC | Silver Charm |
| 1996 | 11.0 million | ABC | Grindestone |
| 1995 | 9.3 million | ABC | Thunder Gulch |
| 1994 | 12.1 million | ABC | Go For Gin |
| 1993 | 11.5 million | ABC | Sea Hero |
| 1992 | 13.7 million | ABC | Lil E Tee |
| 1991 | 13.4 million | ABC | Strike The Gold |
| 1990 | 15.6 million | ABC | Unbridled |
| 1989 | 18.5 million | ABC | Sunday Silence |
TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2014 KENTUCKY DERBY (Race Portion)
| 1 | Louisville | 37.8/66 |
| 2 | Ft. Myers | 21.3/40 |
| 3 | West Palm Beach | 17.8/31 |
| 4 | Buffalo | 16.8/32 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | 16.7/35 |
| 6 | Boston | 15.5/35 |
| 7 | Columbus | 14.4/31 |
| 8 | Orlando | 14.3/26 |
| T9. | Tampa-St. Pete | 13.6/25 |
| T9. | Indianapolis | 13.6/28 |
| 11 | Knoxville | 13.5/26 |
| 12 | Minneapolis | 13.1/33 |
| 13 | Hartford | 13.0/27 |
| T14. | Baltimore | 12.9/27 |
| T14. | Providence | 12.9/25 |
| T14. | Dayton | 12.9/26 |
| 17 | Milwaukee | 12.4/29 |
| T18. | Washington, DC | 12.2/28 |
| T18. | Richmond | 12.2/24 |
| T18. | Tulsa | 12.2/24 |
PREAKNESS STAKES ON NBC SPORTS, MAY 17: In two weeks, Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome will take one more step to try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 36 years, since Affirmed in 1978. NBC Sports Group coverage of The Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md., begins Friday, May 16 at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC presents The Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
| Date | Time | Event | Network |
| Fri., May 16 | 3 p.m. | Preakness Classics | NBCSN |
| Fri., May 16 | 4 p.m. | Black Eyed Susan Stakes | NBCSN |
| Sat., May 17 | 1 p.m. | Preakness Saturday | NBCSN |
| Sat., May 17 | 4:30 p.m. | Preakness Stakes | NBC |
| Sat., May 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Preakness Post-Race Show | NBCSN |
