Viewership for the Belmont Stakes on NBC soared, despite the scratch of Triple Crown-hopeful I’ll Have Another, topping last year by 12%, and 2010 by 62%. Saturday’s viewership is the highest for a non-Triple Crown Belmont since 2005 on NBC, and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown Belmont in Nielsen People Meter history (dating back to 1988).

The average viewership for this year’s three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont) is up 2% from last year’s three races, is the best for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005, and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown also dating back to 1988.

2012 BELMONT STAKES:

NBC’ broadcast of the Belmont Stakes, which was won by Union Rags, drew 7.67 million viewers, a gain of 12 percent from last year’s race (6.84 million on NBC), and up 62% from the 2010 race (4.74 million on ABC). Saturday’s Belmont was the most-watched in a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 on NBC, less than one percent lower than the 7.71 million that year, according to official national data provided today by The Nielsen Company.

The race portion of the Belmont (6:13-6:58 p.m. ET) registered a 4.8/11 national household rating, 12% higher than last year’s 4.3/10 on NBC and 60% higher than the 2010 Belmont (3.0/7 on ABC).

The pre-race (5-6:13), bolstered by a 90-minute Belmont Access show on NBC Sports Network that preceded the NBC broadcast, drew 4.35 million viewers, up 27% over last year (3.43 million on NBC) and up 129% from the 2010 pre-race on ABC (1.90 million).


The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

This year’s three-race average viewership of 10.34 million even topped the averages in 1997 (8.75 million), 1998 (8.06 million), 1999 (8.05 million) on ABC when a Triple Crown was at stake in the Belmont.


BELMONT STAKES VIEWERSHIP SINCE 1988 (Race Portion):

2012  7.67 million   NBC
2011  6.84 million   NBC
2010  4.74 million   ABC
2009  6.64 million   ABC
*2008 13.06 million  ABC
2007  4.86 million   ABC
2006  5.04 million   ABC
2005  7.71 million   NBC
*2004 21.86 million  NBC
*2003 15.70 million  NBC
*2002 12.41 million  NBC
2001  6.80 million   NBC
2000  4.33 million   ABC
*1999 9.33 million   ABC
*1998 9.13 million   ABC
*1997 8.24 million   ABC
1996  3.97 million   ABC
1995  5.08 million   ABC
1994  5.92 million   ABC
1993  6.43 million   ABC
1992  6.76 million   ABC
1991  5.33 million   ABC
1990  6.77 million   ABC
*1989 11.20 million  ABC
1988  6.64 million   ABC

*Triple Crown at stake

2012 TRIPLE CROWN ON NBC

The three Triple Crown races on NBC (Kentucky Derby – 14.83 million, Preakness – 8.08 million and Belmont – 7.67 million) averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2% from last year’s three races (10.12 million), making it the best average for a non-Triple Crown year since 2005 (10.40 million), and the second-best for a non-Triple Crown since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1988.

This year’s three-race average viewership of 10.34 million even topped the averages in 1997 (8.75 million), 1998 (8.06 million), 1999 (8.05 million) on ABC when a Triple Crown was at stake in the Belmont.


KENTUCKY DERBY/PREAKNESS/BELMONT AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP SINCE 1988 (Race Portion):

2012 10.34 million NBC

2011 10.12 million NBC

2010 8.34 million ABC

2009 10.09 million ABC

*2008 11.81 million ABC

2007 8.39 million ABC

2006 8.78 million ABC

2005 10.40 million NBC

*2004 15.92 million NBC

*2003 11.78 million NBC

*2002 11.45 million NBC

2001 9.83 million NBC

2000 6.38 million ABC

*1999 8.05 million ABC

*1998 8.06 million ABC

*1997 8.75 million ABC

1996 6.81 million ABC

1995 6.35 million ABC

1994 8.21 million ABC

1993 8.33 million ABC

1992 9.70 million ABC

1991 8.07 million ABC

1990 9.98 million ABC

*1989 12.35 million ABC

1988 8.69 million ABC

*Triple Crown at stake