NBC reported overnight television ratings of .7/2 for its April 10 coverage of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) from Keeneland and Arkansas Derby (gr. I) from Oaklawn Park. The program marked the third and final “Road to the Kentucky Derby” show on NBC or NBC-affiliated networks. Churchill Downs Inc. helped underwrite the cost of the telecasts.
Nearly 600,000 households tuned into the show, about half of the audience that watched the April 3 presentation of the Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby (both gr. I) on NBC. USA Network, a sister station to NBC, televised the first Derby prep broadcast March 27, and its coverage of the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II) garnered about 420,000 viewers. Two percent of the televisions in use from 5-6 p.m. ET April 10 were tuned to the racing program.
NBC will also be the home for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) from Churchill Downs and the May 15 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) from Pimlico in Baltimore.
