Big Brown was a big disappointment, but the Belmont Stakes delivered an impressive TV rating for ABC Saturday, demonstrating that while horse racing has declined in popularity, it can still draw an audience when one horse stands out from the crowd.
ESPN announced today that the Belmont had a 10.5 overnight metered market rating, which is up a whopping 169% from last year's race, which drew a 3.9. The Belmont also beat this year's Kentucky Derby rating (9.5) by 11% and this year's Preakness rating (6.4) by 64%. Even yesterday's often boring pre-race got a 4.5 rating, which tops last year's 1.8 by 150%.
How good is that 10.5 rating? On the one hand, the much-hyped Lakers-Celtics Game 1 on Thursday got a 10.4 overnight, so beating the NBA has to be considered a good sign for the Belmont. On the other hand, the last time there was a chance of a Triple Crown winner, in 2004, the Belmont got a 13.4. So it was an impressive showing, but not as stunning as Big Brown coming in last.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-08-2008 @ 4:19PM
Justin said...
How is this impressive then? The only relevant comparison is to 4 years ago when there an opportunity for a triple crown winner. It's down over 20% since then. You've gotta believe ESPN was hoping for better.
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6-08-2008 @ 6:08PM
promogal1965 said...
Honestly, I'd be happy if TB racing continued to decline in popularity, or ended completely. At least until the industry makes changes to how the majority of horses are handled, trained and treated when their careers as racehorses end. Too often these animals are drugged to hide debilitating leg injury, just so they can "walk" onto killbuyer's trailers. The dark side of TB racing is unknown to most people, and I'd imagine the more coverage that gets, the less inclined people would be to spend money at those tracks.
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6-09-2008 @ 12:08PM
Marilyn Erwine said...
The only loser at Belmont was Big Browns jockey.
Very immature and showed no sportsmanship by
pulling the reins on Big Brown and having him
walk across the finish line. Big Brown is the
one winning the Derby and Preakness not his jockey.
The only humiliation here is the jockeys attitude.
Was money not enough for the jockey? Very cruel
act on the jockeys part! The glory still goes to
Big Brown...beautiful animal and loved still by
many...and always will be.
The horse comes first the jockey second always!!!
The jockey is a small man in more ways than one!
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6-09-2008 @ 1:02PM
missinghercowboy said...
I don't believe the jockey did anything wrong. Why would you continue to push a horse that you knew was running on empty. It takes a big person to put these horses first. I congratulate him on pulling Big brown up. Everyone would be complaining if he pushed him and there was something seriously wrong.
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