National television ratings released April 8 showed that NBC’s telecast of the April 3 Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes (both gr. I) garnered a 1.5/4 for the one-hour presentation. The 1.5 rating equates to 2.1-million viewers, while the 4 share means that 4% of the television sets in use during the 5-6 p.m. ET period were tuned in to the races.
Last year’s corresponding telecast received a 1.3/3 rating, meaning the 2010 edition represented a 15% bump in viewers.
The third and last show in NBC’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series will air Sat., April 10, with live coverage of the Arkansas Derby and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (both gr. I). NBC will also be the home for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and the May 15 Preakness Stakes (both gr. I).