The 25th presentation of NBC Sports in the Kentucky Derby, announced by Woodford Reserve, provided an average of 17.7 million viewers for NBC and Peacock.
Viewers peaked at 21.8 million viewers from 7pm to 7pm to 3pm as sovereignty led to a 1/2-long victory over journalism at Churchill Downs. Peak Audience was the largest ever in the Kentucky Derby NBC Sports Presentation (up 8% from 20.1 million last year).
Leading by Peacock, Run for the Roses has registered NBC Sports’ biggest streaming audience from NBC Sports from 34% (714,000) since last year, almost tripled (371,000) in 2023.
NBC Sports averaged over 15 million viewers across all platforms in May (except for the 2020 joint order event that was moved to September, over 1020, over 10 of the last 12 Kentucky Derby races held in 2013-2024).
With 17.7 million viewers (6:33-7:24pm), the 2025 Kentucky Derby ranks as NBC’s most-watched Saturday program since the January 2024 NFL Wildcard Playoffs (excluding the Parisio Games).
The total audience stream is based on Nielsen’s Live Plus Day Day Custom First National Figures and digital data from Adobe Analytics. Official metrics will be available on Tuesday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqrdjmmh1aa
May 17th, NBC and Peacock’s 150th Preakness Stakes
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty was invited to take the next step towards the Triple Crown in the Preakness Stakes for two weeks, Saturday, May 17th. NBC Sports will feature its 150th Preakness stake on Saturday, May 17th at NBC and Peacock at 4pm, starting at 2pm on CNBC and Peacock.
