NBC Sports’ broadcast of the July 23 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) win by It's Tricky at Saratoga drew an audience of 1.18 million viewers, signaling a successful launch of the NBC Sports Group’s “Summer at Saratoga” series.
Featuring televised races from Saratoga on seven consecutive weekends, “Summer at Saratoga” is being shown on NBC and VERSUS. The second show July 30 will feature the Diana (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II) on VERSUS.
“This is a terrific start for the series and while we are happy with the number we are not surprised by the success,” said Adam Freifeld, senior director, communications, for NBC Sports Group. "Remember this is the first time this event has been nationally broadcast and was also a July afternoon when ratings are traditionally low.”
The audience for the first show in the series exceeds the audience for four of the last five telecasts of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The 2010 Breeders’ Cup, which featured the great mare Zenyatta, drew an audience of 2.99 million, followed by Saturday numbers of 1.17 million, 1.06 million, 1.3 million, and 994,000 from 2009-’06.
NBC SPORTS GROUP “SUMMER AT SARATOGA” COVERAGE (All Times EDT)
July 30, Diana (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II), 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 6, Whitney Invitational (gr. I) and Test (gr. I), 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 7, Alfred G. Vanderbilt (gr. I) and Honorable Miss (gr. II), 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 13, Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT), 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 20, TVG Alabama (gr. I), 5-6 p.m., NBC
Aug. 27, Travers (gr. I) and Foxwoods King’s Bishop (gr. I), 5-6 p.m., NBC
Sept. 3, Woodward (gr. I) and Forego (gr. I), 5-6 p.m., VERSUS