NBC Sports delivered a record-setting audience for the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday. The broadcast averaged 19.6 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, according to preliminary data.
What We Know: NBC Sports set a new benchmark with its Derby coverage. The 19.6 million average audience is the event’s highest on record. Viewership peaked at 24.4 million viewers during the final stretch. Golden Tempo secured a narrow win in that window. The peak audience rose 12% from last year’s 21.8 million. That also marks NBC’s largest Derby peak ever. Peacock contributed significantly too, delivering a 1.3 million Average Minute Audience, up 36% year-over-year.
What The Numbers Show:
| Event Title | Rating (2026) | Cume (2026) | YOY (vs. 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kentucky Derby | 19.6M | 24.4M peak | 17.7M avg / 21.8M peak ⬆️ |
What Remains Unclear: Final Nielsen numbers arrive Tuesday, so minor adjustments could follow. Golden Tempo’s trainer Cherie DeVaux hasn’t said yet if her horse will run the Preakness Stakes. That decision will have a major effect on interest in the Preakness Stakes on NBC/Peacock.
What It Means: The Derby reinforces the value of live sports. Large audiences still gather for major, unscripted moments. Streaming growth adds another layer. Among the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby is consistently the ratings leader. When a horse has a chance to win all three, ratings for the Belmont Stakes can come close to the Derby. This is why Golden Tempo’s decision to run the Preakness is critically important NBC/Peacock executives.
The 151st Preakness Stakes on NBC and Peacock takes place at 4pm ET on Saturday, May 16th. Coverage begins at 1pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
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Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
