SiriusXM Offers Live Coverage of Preakness Stakes

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

siriusxmRace airs May 18 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App

Listeners will hear wire-to-wire race call as Kentucky Derby-winner Orb attempts to take middle jewel of Triple Crown

NEW YORK – May 16, 2013 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will offer listeners nationwide a live broadcast of the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, this Saturday, May 18, as Kentucky Derby-winner Orb and jockey Joel Rosario will attempt to take another step in their bid for the 12th Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing history.

SiriusXM listeners will hear Horse Racing Radio Network’s broadcast starting at 5:00 pm ET on Sirius channel 93 and XM channel 209, and on channel 961 on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com.  The race broadcast will also air live on Mad Dog Radio, SiriusXM channel 86.

In addition to the live race broadcast, SiriusXM’s Dave Johnson and Bill Finley will host a special edition of Down The Stretch on Saturday (10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET).  Johnson and Finley will take calls from listeners and provide fans with race day news and analysis, plus interviews with jockeys, trainers and owners.

Leading up to the event, listeners can also get daily racing talk and an in-depth look at the field on At The Races with Steve Byk (weekdays, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET).

Listeners can also tune in every weekday afternoon to hear programming from HRTV and HRRN – including live race broadcasts and original shows.

SiriusXM airs live coverage of all three races of the 2013 Triple Crown.  Listeners get HRRN’s call of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes on June 8.

Horse racing programming airs on Sirius channel 93, XM channel 209, and on channel 961 on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com.  Visit www.siriusxm.com for more information.

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Filed Under: Horse Racing, Sirius/XM

16.2 Million Watch Kentucky Derby On NBC

May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

nbc-sports2nd Most-Watched Kentucky Derby Since 1989

Viewership up 9% from Last Year; Up 12% from 2011

9.7 National Rating up 8% from Last Year; Up 14% from 2011

NBC Sports ‘Big Event Strategy’ Leads to More Than 16 Million Viewers for 3rd Time in 5 years

NEW YORK – May 7, 2013 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby drew 16.2 million viewers, making it the second most-watched Kentucky Derby since 1989. The viewership for the race is up nine percent from last year’s Derby (14.8 million), and up 12 percent from the Derby in 2011 (14.5 million), according to official national data provided today by The Nielsen Company.

Utilizing NBC Sports’ ‘Big Event Strategy,’ three of the last five Kentucky Derby races have recorded at least 16 million viewers.

Saturday’s race (6:05-6:53 p.m. ET), won by Orb, is the second most-watched Kentucky Derby dating back to 1989 (18.5 million on ABC), only surpassed by the 2010 Derby won by Super Saver (16.5 million).

  • The household rating of 9.7/21 is the best since 2010 (9.8/23), and tied 2009 as the second highest-rated Derby since 1992 (10.3/30 on ABC).
  • The 9.7/21 rating is up eight percent from last year’s race (9.0/20) and up 14 percent from 2011 (8.5/19).
  • The pre-race on NBC (5-6:05 p.m. ET) drew 9.1 million viewers, an increase of 12 percent from last year (8.1 million) and is the second-best pre-race viewership dating back to 1992.
  • NBC Sports Network’s five-hour pre-race show (11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET) drew 500k viewers, up 19 percent from last year (421k).

MORE PEOPLE WATCH THE DERBY ON NBC: NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 13 races averages more than 2 million more viewers than the previous 12 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.3 million vs.12.0 million, up 19 percent). NBC’s average viewership of 14.3 million over the last 13 Kentucky Derby broadcasts is more than six million more than the last six years that ABC aired the Derby (1995-2000).

KENTUCKY DERBY CONTINUES TO BE A HIT WITH FEMALE VIEWERS: The Kentucky Derby once again proved to be very popular with female viewers. In fact, 52 percent of Derby viewers were women, making it the only annual sporting event that draws more female viewers than male viewers.

KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWERSHIP
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 2013 KENTUCKY DERBY (Race Portion)

1. Louisville 43.7/69
2. Ft. Myers 19.7/37
3. Cincinnati 18.8/37
T4. Knoxville 18.4/31
T4. West Palm Beach 18.4/35
6. Buffalo 15.9/33
7. Oklahoma City 15.1/25
8. Columbus 14.8/31
9. Indianapolis 13.9/28
10. Nashville 13.2/22
11. Jacksonville 13.1/21
12. Orlando 12.8/28
13. Richmond 12.7/22
14. Tampa-St. Pete 12.5/23
15. Baltimore 12.4/26
T16. Boston 12.2/28
T16. Washington D.C. 12.2/27
18. Dayton 11.7/24
19. Minneapolis-St. Paul 11.6/28
T20. Greensboro 11.5/23
T20. New York 11.5/26

PREAKNESS STAKES ON NBC SPORTS, MAY 18: In two weeks, Kentucky Derby winner Orb will take one more step to try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 34 years, since Affirmed in 1978. NBC Sports Group coverage of The Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md., begins Wednesday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET and continues with the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 18.

PREAKNESS STAKES
Date Time Event Network
Fri., May 17 3 p.m. Preakness Classics NBCSN
4 p.m. Black Eyed Susan Stakes NBCSN
Sat., May 18 2:30 p.m. Preakness Saturday NBCSN
4:30 p.m. Preakness Stakes NBC
6:30 p.m. Preakness Post-Race Show NBCSN

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Ratings

NBC Sports Group Presents 14.5 Hours Of Kentucky Derby Coverage

May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

nbc-sportsCoverage from Churchill Downs Begins This Wednesday and Continues All Week on NBC and NBC Sports Network

NBC Sports Live Extra to Live Stream Kentucky Derby on NBC with Additional Camera Angels and Live Commentary; Plus Content on NBC Sports Network via “TV Everywhere”

NBC Sports Group Presents 27.5 Total Hours of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown over Next 5 Weeks

Robust Social Offerings on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Vine

NEW YORK – April 29, 2013 – NBC Sports Group will present 14.5 hours of Kentucky Derby coverage beginning Wednesday, May 1, at 4 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network with Kentucky Derby Classics, and culminating with the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Saturday, May 4, beginning at 11 a.m. on NBC Sports Network and continuing at 4 p.m. ET on NBC.

NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage, which in 2012 was honored with an Eclipse Award in the Television-Live Programming category, includes 8.5 hours on Derby Day on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Coverage includes:

  • Live coverage of the Kentucky Derby Draw Wednesday, May 1 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network to determine the post positions;
  • 11.5 total hours on NBC Sports Network;
  • Three hours of “Derby Classics” (Mine That Bird, Animal Kingdom, I’ll Have Another) to air on NBC Sports Network.

COMENTATORS: NBC Sports Group coverage of the Kentucky Derby will feature co-hosts Bob Costas, a 24-time Emmy Award-winner, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; analysts Randy Moss and Hall-of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey; analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; NBC Sports Network host Laffit Pincay, III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers and Jay Privman; and race caller Larry Collmus. Michelle Beadle of Access Hollywood and co-host of The Crossover on NBC Sports Network, will provide features and interviews, and Coco Rocha, supermodel coach on Oxygen’s The Face, will talk Kentucky Derby fashions and handle celebrity interviews.

The coordinating producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage is Rob Hyland, a veteran of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001. The Kentucky Derby is directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director, Drew Esocoff. The coverage on NBC Sports Network is produced by Billy Matthews and directed by Patrick McManus. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 12 Triple Crown races for the network.

27½ HOURS OF TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE: NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont, including “classics” from the Derby, Preakness and Belmont, live racing from all three tracks prior to the three Triple Crown races, and post-race coverage of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont on NBC Sports Network. This marks the third straight year that all three Triple Crown races will air on NBC.

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NBC SPORTS GROUP TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE (All Times ET):

KENTUCKY DERBY
Date Time Event Network
Wed., May 1 4 p.m. Kentucky Derby Classics – Mine That Bird NBCSN
5 p.m. Kentucky Derby Draw NBCSN
Thurs., May 2 4 p.m. Kentucky Derby Classics – Animal Kingdom NBCSN
5 p.m. Kentucky Derby Access NBCSN
Fri., May 3 4 p.m. Kentucky Derby Classics – I’ll Have Another NBCSN
5 p.m. Kentucky Oaks NBCSN
Sat., May 4 11 a.m. Kentucky Derby Saturday NBCSN
4 p.m. Kentucky Derby NBC
7 p.m. Kentucky Derby Post-Race Show NBCSN
PREAKNESS STAKES
Date Time Event Network
Wed., May 15 3:30 p.m. Preakness Draw NBCSN
Fri., May 17 3 p.m. Preakness Classics NBCSN
4 p.m. Black Eyed Susan Stakes NBCSN
Sat., May 18 2:30 p.m. Preakness Saturday NBCSN
4:30 p.m. Preakness Stakes NBC
6:30 p.m. Preakness Post-Race Show NBCSN
BELMONT STAKES
Date Time Event Network
Fri., June 7 4 p.m. Belmont Stakes Classics NBCSN
5 p.m. Belmont Stakes Access NBCSN
Sat., June 8 3 p.m. Belmont Stakes Saturday NBCSN
5 p.m. Belmont Stakes NBC
7 p.m. Belmont Stakes Post-Race Show NBCSN

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NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE

NBC Sports Live Extra — the NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream Kentucky Derby week coverage on NBC and NBC Sports Network. The vast majority of the content will be streamed live via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Content airing on NBC, including the Kentucky Derby race, will be streamed to PC’s, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra.

NBC’s Derby Day coverage includes:

  • Four online-only camera angles that showcase the activity happening across Churchill Downs on Derby day;
  • Online-only analysis by NBC Sports commentators;
  • Replays and footage from the key Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races.

Derby Week coverage airing on NBC Sports Network will be live streamed to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

NBC Sports Network coverage includes:

  • Kentucky Derby Draw, Wednesday, May 1, at 5 p.m. ET
  • Kentucky Derby Access, Thursday, May 2, at 5 p.m. ET
  • Kentucky Oaks, Friday, May 3, at 5 p.m. ET
  • Kentucky Derby Pre-Show, Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. ET

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NBC SPORTS SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY

KENTUCKY DERBY ON NBC “SOCIAL CENTER”: Horseracing fans and fans of the elegance and glitz of the Derby can access content from Derby week at a “social center” housed on NBCSports.com. Fans can access and sort social media content from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through various streams including horse racing experts, horses (including the horses themselves, jockeys and trainers), glamour (celebrities, fashion experts), and a photos-only section. The “social center” aggregates what’s trending around the Derby and what’s hot in the social world and it’s all at the fingertips of the user. Content from the “social center” including tweets, trending topics and photos will be featured on-air during the week-long Derby celebration on NBC and the NBC Sports Network.

TWITTER MIRROR: NBC Sports and Twitter are partnering to have the “Twitter Mirror” present on the Red Carpet at the Derby, on the Pink Carpet at Oaks Day and at the famed Barnstable Brown Party on Friday night of Derby Week. The “Twitter Mirror” will bring fans closer to the exclusive, celebrity driven events in and around Churchill Downs. Celebrity and “best-dressed” photos will be pushed out through the @NBCSN Twitter feed and collected and housed within NBCSports.com and the NBC “social center.” Content from the “Twitter Mirror” will be featured on-air during Derby Day.

KENTUCKY DERBY ALL-ACCESS: NBC Sports will implement its “All-Access” social media strategy for Kentucky Derby week on both NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. Two dedicated social media producers will be on-site for behind the scenes content including breaking news, photos and video from Churchill Downs on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and NBCSports.com.

Facebook:

  • Every day at Facebook.com/NBCSports, fans will be presented with a Derby 101 shareable image that can help them prepare for Derby Day. NBC Sports commentators and NBCUniversal talent will help fans do everything from learn how to call a Kentucky Derby race to plan their Derby party.
  • Fans at home can pick their winner with the “Choose the Winning Horse” Facebook poll on Facebook.com/NBCSports. Votes will be tallied and shown on-air during the Kentucky Derby broadcast.

Twitter: Viewers and tweeters alike will be encouraged to join the conversation by using the hashtag #DERBY. Reminders will appear on screen throughout all of NBC and NBC Sports Network’s Kentucky Derby week coverage.

  • The ultimate Derby fashionista can follow along with #DerbyHats to find the best of the best in headwear from the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Fans will also be asked to submit pictures of their Derby hats from home using #DerbyHats. Favorites may be featured on-air.
  • On-air integration of live tweets from celebrities, horse-racing experts and @NBCSN will be featured on screen throughout the broadcasts to keep viewers up to date with what’s happening and trending on Twitter.
  • @NBCSN will live tweet the Kentucky Derby Draw Show on Wednesday.

Instagram: For 360 coverage of behind-the-scenes access to Derby Week, fans can follow @NBCSports on Instagram at Instagram.com/NBCSports for the parties, food, fashion and of course the races.

Pinterest: The Kentucky Derby is the perfect event to launch the NBC Sports’ Pinterest presence. Fans can access photos and videos around the Derby from NBCSports.com and NBC Sports social channels as well as find recipes and ideas for their ultimate Derby Party.

Vine: NBC Sports will utilize Vine to give fans quick video look-ins at everything that makes up the Kentucky Derby. From morning workouts with the horses, to Millionaire’s Row, NBC Sports Vines will give fans the full Derby experience for those that can’t make it to the track for Derby Week.

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NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when the NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. This year, the NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is the home to “Summer at Saratoga,” and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provides live coverage of six major prep races for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY DERBY: Last year, the Kentucky Derby drew 14.8 million viewers, the third most-watched Kentucky Derby in 23 years, and up two percent from the 2011 Derby according to official national data provided by The Nielsen Company. Since implementing NBC Sports’ ‘Big Event Strategy,’ the last four Kentucky Derby races have all recorded at least 14.5 million viewers.

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 12 years averages more than 2 million more viewers than the previous 12 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.12.0 million, up 17 percent).

PREAKNESS STAKES: Last year’s coverage of the Preakness Stakes on NBC drew 8.1 million viewers. Since NBC began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous eight years. Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 63% in the 12 years on NBC compared to the previous eight years on ABC.

BELMONT STAKES: Last year, NBC’s second broadcast of the Belmont Stakes since 2005 drew 7.67 million viewers, making it the most-watched Belmont in a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 on NBC.

AWARDS FOR NBC’S HORSE RACING COVERAGE: Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 12 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage including the award for Television – Live Program for the 2012 Kentucky Derby. NBC’s previous wins in that category include: Preakness (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001). Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.

The NBC Sports Network Channel Finder is located at nbcsports.msnbc.com.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC

SiriusXM to Air 139th Running of the Kentucky Derby

May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

siriusxmLive race broadcast will air Saturday on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM App

Listeners also get daily news and analysis from SiriusXM talk shows “At The Races” and “Down The Stretch”

NEW YORK – May 1, 2013 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will offer comprehensive coverage of the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, from Churchill Downs, this Saturday, May 4.

SiriusXM listeners will hear Horse Racing Radio Network’s live race call of the 139th “Run for the Roses” starting at 5:00 pm ET on Sirius channel 93 and XM channel 209.  The live broadcast will also be available on Mad Dog Radio, channel 86, and on channel 961 on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com.

On Friday, May 3, at 3:00pm ET SiriusXM will also air the Kentucky Oaks, the Grade 1 stakes race for three-year old fillies, run annually at Churchill Downs on the eve of the Derby.

Throughout the week, SiriusXM’s horse racing talk shows will provide listeners with daily news and analysis.

At The Races with Steve Byk will broadcast live every weekday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET from Churchill Downs.  Byk will conduct daily interviews with handicapping experts and trainers and provide listeners with an in-depth look at the field.

On Saturday a special pre-Derby edition of Down The Stretch, hosted by Dave Johnson and Bill Finley, will air live from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ET.  Johnson, the acclaimed track announcer who called the Derby for 24 years, and Finley will discuss all the stakes races happening that day at Churchill Downs, provide the latest Derby news and pre-race analysis, and interview jockeys, trainers and owners.

Listeners can also tune in every weekday afternoon to hear programming from HRTV and HRRN – including live race broadcasts and original shows.

SiriusXM will broadcast all three races of the 2013 Triple Crown.  Listeners will hear HRRN’s call of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes on May 18, and the Belmont Stakes on June 8.  All three broadcasts will air live starting at 5:00 pm ET.

Horse racing programming airs on Sirius channel 93, XM channel 209, and on channel 961 on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com.  Visit www.siriusxm.com for more information.

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Filed Under: Horse Racing, Sirius/XM

NBC Sports Group And The Jockey Club Kick Off “Road To The Kentucky Derby” Series With Special Preview Show

March 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

nbc-sportsNew York, N.Y. – March 21, 2013 – The Jockey Club, in collaboration with the NBC Sports Group, will kick off the Road to Kentucky Derby series with a 30-minute special previewing the Triple Crown season on Saturday, March 23, on the NBC Sports Network from 6 – 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The NBC Sports Network Channel Finder is located at nbcsports.msnbc.com.

The special, produced by America’s Best Racing, will provide a comprehensive look at the top contenders for the 2013 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands, as well as features on jockeys Gary Stevens and Rosie Napravnik, and the six recent college graduates who are now serving as “brand ambassadors” for America’s Best Racing.

The live racing telecasts commence on Saturday, March 30, with the Besilu Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park and the Louisiana Derby from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on NBC Sports Network from 6 – 7 p.m. EDT.

The Wood Memorial from Aqueduct Racetrack and the Santa Anita Derby from Santa Anita Park will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, April 6, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. EDT.

The series will conclude on Saturday, April 13, with two and half hours of continuous coverage spread across two networks. A 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland Race Course will be followed by a one-hour broadcast on the NBC Sports Network featuring the Arkansas Derby. The NBC telecast will air from 4:30 – 6 p.m. EDT; the NBC Sports Network telecast will airfrom 6 – 7 p.m. EDT.

All six races fall into the highest tier on Churchill Downs’ new points system to determine starters for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, on NBC. The points system features 36 stakes races overall and 17 marquee events for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that comprise a 10-week run up to the first Saturday in May.

America’s Best Racing, initiated and funded by The Jockey Club and promoted in association with NTRA Communications, is a multimedia fan development platform designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events, with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. Additional information is available at followhorseracing.com.

The brand ambassadors are traveling around the country in an “ABRV” bus, promoting Thoroughbred racing’s lifestyle scene and premier events. The tour kicked off at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, March 8-17.

–ABOUT THE JOCKEY CLUB–

THE JOCKEY CLUB: The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

–ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP—

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when the NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. In 2012, the NBC Sports Group presented 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is the home to “Summer at Saratoga,” and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provides live coverage of six major prep races for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC

The Jockey Club, NBC Sports Group Announce 2013 “Road To The Kentucky Derby” Television Schedule

February 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

nbc-sportsSeries Features Six Key Races and the Road to the Kentucky Derby Preview Show on Four Consecutive Weekends Beginning Saturday, March 23

NEW YORK – February 12, 2013 – The Jockey Club, in collaboration with the NBC Sports Group and six racetracks, will provide live coverage of six major prep races for the 2013 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands, as well as a 30-minute special previewing the Triple Crown season during the last two Saturdays in March and the first two Saturdays in April, it was announced today.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series starts with a 30-minute special previewing the televised races and the Triple Crown season. The special will air on the NBC Sports Network on Saturday, March 23, from 6 – 6:30 p.m. ET.

The racing telecasts kick off Saturday, March 30, with the Besilu Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park and the Louisiana Derby from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on NBC Sports Network from 6 – 7 p.m. ET.

The Wood Memorial from Aqueduct Racetrack and the Santa Anita Derby from Santa Anita Park will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, April 6, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET.

The series will conclude on Saturday, April 13, with two and half hours of continuous coverage spread across two networks.

A 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland Race Course will be followed by a one-hour broadcast on the NBC Sports Network featuring the Arkansas Derby. The NBC telecast will air from 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET; the NBC Sports Network telecast will airfrom 6 – 7 p.m. ET.

All six races fall into the highest tier on Churchill Downs’ new points system to determine starters for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, on NBC. The points system features 36 stakes races overall and 17 marquee events for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that comprise a 10-week run up to the first Saturday in May.

“The Jockey Club is committed to bringing some of our sport’s best races to a national television audience, and we are proud to be underwriting the Road to the Kentucky Derby again this spring in collaboration with the NBC Sports Group and six racetracks,” said Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club. “Increasing the television presence of Thoroughbred racing is one of the fan development initiatives we have embraced over the past 18 months, and we will continue to aggressively cross-promote Thoroughbred racing not only on television but also on a variety of traditional and new digital media platforms.”

“These important prep races build excitement and interest in the Kentucky Derby and they also complement the NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the sport of Thoroughbred racing, which already includes long-term deals for the Triple Crown races and Breeders’ Cup as well as races from Saratoga,” said Jon Miller, president, programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.

Increased television coverage of Thoroughbred racing and the development of a new digital media strategy were among nine major recommendations identified in the major economic study of the Thoroughbred industry that was commissioned by The Jockey Club and conducted in association with the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company in 2011.

ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET)

Saturday, March 23, 2013, 6 – 6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Road to the Kentucky Derby preview show

Saturday, March 30, 2013, 6 – 7 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park) and Louisiana Derby (Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots)

Saturday, April 6, 2013, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Wood Memorial (Aqueduct Racetrack) and Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park)

Saturday, April 13, 2013, 4:30 – 6 p.m. (NBC)

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland)

Saturday, April 13, 2013, 6 – 7 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park)

QUOTES FROM RACETRACK REPRESENTATIVES:

Mike Rogers, president of The Stronach Group, Racing Division: “The Stronach Group is pleased that two of its signature events, the Florida Derby and the Santa Anita Derby, will be part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by The Jockey Club and NBC Sports Group. We look forward to having our world-class facilities at both Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park showcased on these historic days. We also look forward to watching the many Derby contenders stabled and training throughout The Stronach Group properties taking part in these exciting races in the weeks leading up to the Triple Crown.”

Tim Bryant, president, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: “The Louisiana Derby has become more important than ever in the last three years since we raised the purse to $1 million and shifted the date to serve as a final Kentucky Derby prep. This year, we celebrate the race’s 100th running with a new Infield Festival to complement the richest day of Thoroughbred racing ever run in Louisiana. We look forward to sharing our version of Southern hospitality with a national television audience.”

Rodnell Workman, vice president and chief marketing officer, New York Racing Association: “NYRA is once again thrilled to be a part of the NBC Sports Group’s Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Nationally televising the 2013 renewal of Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial, and all of these important prep races, is great exposure for racing and we’re looking forward to working with the NBC Sports Group on this year’s broadcast.”

Bill Thomason, president and chief executive officer, Keeneland Association: “Keeneland is very excited to showcase the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes to a national television audience. We applaud The Jockey Club’s strategic initiative to create exposure for racing and give fans the opportunity to become familiar with its stars.”

Charles J. Cella, president, Oaklawn Park: “We appreciate The Jockey Club and the NBC Sports Group offering us a platform to showcase the $1 million Arkansas Derby to a national audience. This race has had a significant impact on the Triple Crown over the years with so many great horses, such as Sunny’s Halo, Pine Bluff, Smarty Jones and Curlin, and we’re excited to see who emerges this year.”

–ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP—

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when the NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. In 2012, the NBC Sports Group presented 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is the home to Summer at Saratoga, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provides live coverage of six major prep races for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

–ABOUT THE JOCKEY CLUB–

THE JOCKEY CLUB: The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC

Breeders’ Cup Classic To Air Live In Primetime On NBC For First Time

October 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

NBC Sports Group to Present a Total of 9½ Hours of Breeders’ Cup World Championships Coverage

Coverage From Santa Anita Park Begins Friday, November 2, From 4-8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and Culmintes with the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m. ET Live on NBC

Tom Hammond, Gary Stevens, Randy Moss Lead NBC Sports Group’s Breeders’ Cup Commentator Team, and Will be Available on a Conference Call on Wednesday, October 31 at 1:30 p.m. ET

NBC Sports’ and Access Hollywood’s Michelle Beadle On Site to Capture the Spectacle and Scene of Breeders’ Cup

Breeders’ Cup Returns to its Original Home on NBC, with First Year of a Multi-Year Media Rights Agreement Between NBC Sports Group and Breeders’ Cup

NEW YORK – October 25, 2012 – For the first time ever, the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be broadcast live in primetime, culminating 9½ hours of Breeders’ Cup World Championships coverage over two days by the NBC Sports Group from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The Breeders’ Cup returns to its original home at NBC for the first time since 2005, in the first year of a multi-year media rights agreement.

Live NBC Sports Group coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships begins on Friday, November 2, from 4-8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, continues on Saturday, November 3, from 3:30-8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, and culminates with the first-ever live primetime broadcast of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Saturday, November 3, 8-9 p.m. ET on NBC

2012 BREEDERS’ CUP TELEVISION SCHEDULE:

All Times Live, ET

Friday, November 2 4-8 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Saturday, November 3 3:30-8 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Saturday, November 3 8-9 p.m. NBC

COMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group coverage of the Breeders’ Cup will feature host Tom Hammond, whose first-ever assignment for NBC was as a reporter on the network’s inaugural Breeders’ Cup broadcast in 1984. He is joined by Hall-of-Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who has won eight Breeders’ Cup races; veteran horse racing analyst Randy Moss; Hall-of-Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who has 15 Breeders’ Cup wins, including five wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; host/reporter Laffit Pincay, III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers, Jay Privman and Nick Luck, who is making his NBC Sports Group debut; race caller Larry Collmus, who will call the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Ladies’ Classic (NBC will take the call of track announcer Trevor Denman for the remaining races over the two days).

Additionally, NBC Sports’ and Access Hollywood’s Michelle Beadle will be on site to capture the spectacle and scene of the Breeders’ Cup, as well as contributing features and handling celebrity interviews.

NBC Sports Group’s Breeders’ Cup coverage will be produced by Rob Hyland, producer of NBC’s Triple Crown coverage, and a veteran of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001, and directed by Jeff Simon. The coverage on NBC Sports Network will be produced by Billy Matthews. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

BREEDERS’ CUP CONFERENCE CALL: NBC will conduct a media conference call on Wednesday, October 31 at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT with Hammond, Stevens, Moss and Hyland. Details of the call will be available on Monday.

BREEDERS’ CUP: The Breeders’ Cup, thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious global racing event, consists of 15 races held over two-days with more than $25 million in purses at stake. The culminating event of the Breeders’ Cup, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is contested at 1 ¼ miles on the main track, for 3-year-olds and older, and is often the determining race for the coveted Horse of the Year title. Over the years, 11 Classic winners have been voted Horse of the Year. In 2009 at Santa Anita Park, the great racemare Zenyatta became the first female to ever win the Classic.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when the NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. In 2012, the NBC Sports Group presented 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

BREEDERS’ CUP LIMITED: The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC

NBC Sports Group Coverage of “Summer at Saratoga” Series Continues This Weekend on NBC with the 143rd Running of the Travers

August 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

NEW YORK – August 23, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group’s Summer at Saratoga live horse racing from Saratoga Race Course continues this Saturday, 4-6 p.m. ET, on NBC with coverage of the 143rd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers as well as the Grade 1, $500,000 Foxwoods King’s Bishop, the Grade 1, $500,000 Test and the Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo.

COMMENTATORS: Laffit Pincay, III hosts NBC’s coverage alongside Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and veteran horseracing analyst Randy Moss. Joining them are reporter/handicapper Bob Neumeier and reporter Donna Brothers.

NBCSports.com will feature highlights and features from every race, plus online-only features by NBC Sports and NBC’s on-air talent.

THE TRAVERS: Eleven emerging 3-year-olds will assemble for the 143rd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers, each one looking to position himself for a run at end-of-the-year honors with a victory in the 1 ¼-mile race. Since the advent of naming divisional championships in 1936, 18 Travers winners have been named Champion 3-Year-Old Male, most recently Summer Bird in 2009. And with the stars of the spring now out of the picture, Saturday’s “Mid-Summer Derby” takes on new meaning. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will saddle Alpha, the 5-2 morning line favorite for the Travers. Earlier this meet, Alpha was victorious in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga, a race which has produced 16 Travers winners. Jim Dandy runner up Neck ‘n Neck, Haskell runner-up Nonios, and Curlin Stakes winner Street Life are among those ready to challenge Alpha for Travers glory.

The broadcast will include three additional graded races: The Grade 1 Foxwoods King’s Bishop for 3-year-old colts sprinting seven furlongs on the dirt features a highly anticipated match-up between Woody Stephens winner Trinniberg and Amsterdam winner Currency Swap; the Grade 1 Test for the best 3-year-old filly dirt sprinters, including Bob Baffert’s Grade 1 winner Contested; and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo.

NBC SPORTS GROUP SUMMER AT SARATOGA REMAINING COVERAGE (All Times ET)

Saturday, September 1 – 5-6 p.m. ET – NBC – Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward. Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap

Saratoga Race Course was named one of the world’s top 10 venues of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. From late July through Labor Day, many of the sport’s top owners, trainers, jockeys, and horses gather in Saratoga Springs for the premier thoroughbred racing meet in the country. First held in 1863, the Saratoga meet regularly draws more than 20,000 passionate racing fans to the track on a daily basis.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. Last year marked the first time that all three Triple Crown races appeared on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001. This year, the NBC Sports Group presented 32 hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

NYRA: Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business, which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2011, more than 1.8 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $8.1 million. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC Sports Network

NYRA and NBC Sports Group Announce 2012 Summer At Saratoga Live Broadcast Schedule

June 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. and NEW YORK – June 14, 2012 – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the NBC Sports Group have announced the schedule for this year’s Summer at Saratoga series, with five live broadcasts from Saratoga Race Course, starting on Saturday, August 11, going through Saturday, September 1, and including marquee races such as the Alabama, Travers, and Woodward.

Last year’s NBC Sports Group coverage of the Saratoga meet marked the most extensive live national broadcast presence ever of racing from the prestigious track, and following the meet, NYRA and the NBC Sports Group announced a two-year extension for Summer at Saratoga, which will bring live national coverage of the Saratoga meet through 2013.

The schedule for the NBC Sports Group’s live coverage of the 2012 Saratoga meet is as follows:

  • Saturday, August 11 – 6:00-7:00 PM ET – NBC Sports Network – Grade 2, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap
  • Sunday, August 12 – 6:00-7:00 PM ET – NBC Sports Network – Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack and Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special
  • Saturday, August 18 – 5:00-6:00 PM ET – NBC Sports Network – Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama and Grade 1, $600,000 Sword Dancer Invitational
  • Saturday, August 25 – 4:00-6:00 PM ET – NBC – Grade 1, $1 million Travers, Grade 1, $500,000 Foxwoods King’s Bishop, Grade 1, $500,000 Test, Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo
  • Saturday, September 1 – 5:00-6:00 PM ET – NBC – Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward. Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap

Saratoga Race Course was named one of the world’s top 10 venues of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. From late July through Labor Day, many of the sport’s top owners, trainers, jockeys, and horses gather in Saratoga Springs for the premier thoroughbred racing meet in the country. First held in 1863, the Saratoga meet regularly draws more than 20,000 passionate racing fans to the track on a daily basis.

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. Last year marked the first time that all three Triple Crown races appeared on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001. This year, the NBC Sports Group presented 32 hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

NYRA: Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business, which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2011, more than 1.8 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $8.1 million. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC

7.67 Million Watch Belmont on NBC

June 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

2nd Most-Watched Non-Triple Crown Belmont in Nielsen People Meter History (1988); Just 45k Viewers Less than 2005 on NBC

7.67 Million Viewers for Belmont is up 12% From Last Year and up 62% from 2010 on ABC

Three Triple Crown Races on NBC (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont) Averaged 10.34 Million, up 2% from 2011; 2nd Best in Non-Triple Crown Year Since 1988

 

NEW YORK – June 12, 2012 – Viewership for the Belmont Stakes on NBC soared, despite the scratch of Triple Crown-hopeful I’ll Have Another, topping last year by 12%, and 2010 by 62%. Saturday’s viewership is the highest for a non-Triple Crown Belmont since 2005 on NBC, and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown Belmont in Nielsen People Meter history (dating back to 1988).

The average viewership for this year’s three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont) is up 2% from last year’s three races, is the best for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005, and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown also dating back to 1988.

2012 BELMONT STAKES:

  • NBC’ broadcast of the Belmont Stakes, which was won by Union Rags, drew 7.67 million viewers, a gain of 12 percent from last year’s race (6.84 million on NBC), and up 62% from the 2010 race (4.74 million on ABC). Saturday’s Belmont was the most-watched in a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 on NBC, less than one percent lower than the 7.71 million that year, according to official national data provided today by The Nielsen Company.
  • The race portion of the Belmont (6:13-6:58 p.m. ET) registered a 4.8/11 national household rating, 12% higher than last year’s 4.3/10 on NBC and 60% higher than the 2010 Belmont (3.0/7 on ABC).
  • The pre-race (5-6:13), bolstered by a 90-minute Belmont Access show on NBC Sports Network that preceded the NBC broadcast, drew 4.35 million viewers, up 27% over last year (3.43 million on NBC) and up 129% from the 2010 pre-race on ABC (1.90 million).

The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

  • This year’s three-race average viewership of 10.34 million even topped the averages in 1997 (8.75 million), 1998 (8.06 million), 1999 (8.05 million) on ABC when a Triple Crown was at stake in the Belmont.
BELMONT STAKES VIEWERSHIP SINCE 1998 (Race Portion):
2012 7.67 million NBC
2011 6.84 million NBC
2010 4.74 million ABC
2009 6.64 million ABC
*2008 13.06 million ABC
2007 4.86 million ABC
2006 5.04 million ABC
2005 7.71 million NBC
*2004 21.86 million NBC
*2003 15.70 million NBC
*2002 12.41 million NBC
2001 6.80 million NBC
2000 4.33 million ABC
*1999 9.33 million ABC
*1998 9.13 million ABC
*1997 8.24 million ABC
1996 3.97 million ABC
1995 5.08 million ABC
1994 5.92 million ABC
1993 6.43 million ABC
1992 6.76 million ABC
1991 5.33 million ABC
1990 6.77 million ABC
*1989 11.20 million ABC
1988 6.64 million ABC

*Triple Crown at stake

*Triple Crown at stake

2012 TRIPLE CROWN ON NBC

The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

  • This year’s three-race average viewership of 10.34 million even topped the averages in 1997 (8.75 million), 1998 (8.06 million), 1999 (8.05 million) on ABC when a Triple Crown was at stake in the Belmont.

KENTUCKY DERBY/PREAKNESS/BELMONT AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP SINCE 1988 (Race Portion):

2012 10.34 million NBC
2011 10.12 million NBC
2010 8.34 million ABC
2009 10.09 million ABC
*2008 11.81 million ABC
2007 8.39 million ABC
2006 8.78 million ABC
2005 10.40 million NBC
*2004 15.92 million NBC
*2003 11.78 million NBC
*2002 11.45 million NBC
2001 9.83 million NBC
2000 6.38 million ABC
*1999 8.05 million ABC
*1998 8.06 million ABC
*1997 8.75 million ABC
1996 6.81 million ABC
1995 6.35 million ABC
1994 8.21 million ABC
1993 8.33 million ABC
1992 9.70 million ABC
1991 8.07 million ABC
1990 9.98 million ABC
*1989 12.35 million ABC
1988 8.69 million ABC
*Triple Crown at stake

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. Last year marked the first time that all three Triple Crown races appeared on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001. This year, the NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, Autumn at Keeneland, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Ratings
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