News: Best Watched Kentucky Derby in 20 Years

NBC Sports' coverage of Saturday's Kentucky Derby was the most viewed Kentucky Derby in 20 years according to data provided by Nielsen Media Research. The race (6:09-6:57 p.m. ET) averaged 16.3 million viewers, two million more than last year's 14.2 million (up 15 percent) and the most since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

NBC Sports coverage of the Kentucky Derby now reaches seven million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.3 million vs.9.1 million, up 51 percent).

"In this time of a fragmented television landscape amassing this large audience is a real accomplishment, a testament to the common vision we share with Bob Evans and his team at Churchill Downs and a shared strategic approach between partners to execute that vision," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman NBC Universal Sports and Olympics.

Saturday's race coverage notched a 9.8 national rating and a 23 share, the highest rating in 17 years (1992 won by Lil E Tee, 10.3/30) and an 11 percent increase over last year's race (8.8/21) that was fueled by the hype of "Super Horse" Big Brown.

Source: NBC

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