Kentucky Derby Overnight Rating on NBC Ties for Best in 21 Years

NBC Sports' coverage of Saturday's Kentucky Derby, won by Orb, drew a 10.4 overnight rating and a 23 share for the race portion (6-7 p.m. ET), up 16% from the 2012 Kentucky Derby, according to overnight data provided today by The Nielsen Company. The 10.4 overnight rating ties the 2010 race as the best for a Kentucky Derby in 21 years (10.9/29 in 1992).

Overnight Ratings Notes:

The pre-race coverage on NBC (5-6 p.m. ET) drew a 6.2/15 overnight rating, up 15% from last year, tying 2010 as the best for the pre-race since 2007.

Coverage from 4-4:30 p.m. ET received a 3.1/8, the best since NBC began 4 p.m. coverage in 2008;

Coverage from 4:30-5 p.m. ET received a 4.1/10, also the best since NBC began coverage at 4:30 p.m. (in 2007).

NOTE: National ratings and viewership for the race portion will be available on Tuesday, May 7. National ratings for the early coverage will be available on Thursday, May 9.

KENTUCKY DERBY OVERNIGHTS (Race Portion)

Louisville topped all metered markets with a 43.7/69. For the race portion, 47 of the 56 Nielsen metered markets showed ratings gains from last year.

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2013 KENTUCKY DERBY (Race Portion)

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.