Following the Preakness coverage was Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers, which earned a 6.0/14 share. The 6.0 represents a 25 percent improvement over last year's Western Conference Finals Game 1 between Portland and Los Angeles, 4.8/13.
The NBC coverage of the 126th Preakness Stakes on Saturday delivered a 5.6 national rating/16 share from 5:00-6:39 p.m. EST. The 5.6 rating represents an impressive 56 percent increase over last year's 3.6/10 on ABC and ties 1992 as the highest rated telecast since 1990 when it earned a 7.2/21. NBC's broadcast peaked from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. with a 7.2/19.
