Preakness ratings down this year
NBC drew a 6.2 overnight for Kentucky Derby champion Big Brown’s victory at the Preakness, down 3% from a 6.4 last year. Compared to two years ago, when fellow Derby winner Barbaro was expected to win the race and take a step towards winning the Triple Crown, the race was down 11%.
NBC averaged a 5.1 for its complete coverage of The Preakness, off 6% from a 5.4 in ‘07.
But analysts are expecting huge ratings for the Belmont Stakes.
For the first time in six years, The Preakness was not the highest rated sporting event of the weekend on which it aired. Game 7 of the NBA East Semifinals between the Cavaliers and Celtics drew a 6.9 overnight rating on ABC.
