Highest Ratings for Derby in 18 Years

[GBBob]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/horse...050210.article

Hard to figure...obviously the need for a supposed "Super Horse", let alone a dynamic field is overstated.

Originally Posted by GBBob

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/horse...050210.article

Hard to figure...obviously the need for a supposed "Super Horse", let alone a dynamic field is overstated.

Top Chef.

[ddthetide]

Originally Posted by GBBob

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/horse...050210.article

Hard to figure...obviously the need for a supposed "Super Horse", let alone a dynamic field is overstated.

you had no choice but to watch. they pulled the track feeds down from the internet.

[Cannon Shell]

You have to think the other sports competition (which was awful, i was looking for a reason to not watch the prerace crap but couldnt find anything) which was a 8-0 baseball game, a golf tourney with no top players, girls softball and drag racing or something like that had to help the rating.

[randallscott35]

Primetime. It must be done.

[DaTruth]

I'm impressed that there was a 7% increase from 2008 to 2009.

[tiznowthegreat]

What channel carries the Preakness undercard? Who usually carries Pimlico, HRTV or TVG?

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

You have to think the other sports competition (which was awful, i was looking for a reason to not watch the prerace crap but couldnt find anything) which was a 8-0 baseball game, a golf tourney with no top players, girls softball and drag racing or something like that had to help the rating.

That has to be the explanation. It otherwise seemed like the least likely year for the Derby to attract viewers. Several non-fan friends mentioned not hearing about any horses leading up to the Derby.

--Dunbar

[joeydb]

You guys don't think that 2009 and Mine That Bird being a huge longshot helped? Calvin Borel got a lot of coverage last year too, with the recent passing of his parents at that time.

[Travis Stone]

The lack of other pro-sports options certainly helped, but part of the bump I'm sure is associated to NBC's focus with the broadcast. It's amazing to think the Kentucky Derby is watched by more women than men. So the peacock network acted accordingly. Whether or not racing fans liked Top Chef, unfortunately, racing fans are the minority.

NBC is a smart, successful company... they wouldn't do those things if the data didn't support it.