Days After Mage’s Win, Historical Low Emerges as Fresh Setback for the Kentucky Derby Following Controversial Turn of Events

With months of anticipation leading to the day of the 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby, spectators were sure that this year’s event will garner a hoard full of viewership. It turned out that the viewership metrics for the 2023 Derby marked a major disappointment. But, what led to the fall of this year’s ratings? Was it the ruling out of the contenders or the bizarre deaths of seven thoroughbreds?

In 2022, the Kentucky Derby ranked among the most-watched non-football sporting events. Nonetheless, it also accumulated the largest audience for NBC since the NFL playoffs. However, this year’s rating for Derby was historically the lowest, since NBC acquired the rights. So, what exactly affected the viewership?

149th Kentucky Derby faces viewership setback

As per the report of Sports Media Watch, Saturday’s Run for the Roses saw a 6.9 average rating with 14.4 million viewers on NBC. When compared to last year, this year’s metrics got reduced by 10% in ratings and 9% in viewership. More so, with even the inclusion of other additional streaming audiences on Peackock and other NBC platforms, the race averaged 14.8 million viewers.

However, the race still ranked as the most-watched sporting event on TV since Super Bowl LVII in February. NBC’s next broadcast of Mage’s Triple Crown quest will broadcast on May 20th for the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. 

Mage, who had 15-1 winning odds stood atop the podium by winning the 149th Kentucky Derby trophy. However, bettors and spectators haven’t pondered over the winning chances of Mage over other contenders. But, in the past week, with the ruling out of five thoroughbreds and the demise of seven racehorses, the odds, and post-positions maneuvered a lot. Though it does not have any direct correlation to viewership, it has made a major impact on ratings.

With seven dead horses, the 2023 Kentucky Derby became a subject of global scrutiny

The week before the commencement of the event, Churchill Downs reported the unfortunate death of seven thoroughbreds. On this, renowned correspondent and media personality, Ray Paulick raised some serious concerns over the rampant deaths of horses. He took to his Twitter and penned, “Two dead horses on Kentucky Derby day, seven for the meet”.

Read More: Following Months of Anticipation, Kentucky Derby 2023 Ends in the Most Unexpected Way

He further added, “I used to think the Kentucky Derby was a day to develop new racing fans for life. Now I fear we’ll be losing them, including some who have supported the game for years”. Following this, Churchill Downs acknowledged the concerns and called the deaths alarming. In the wake of this, only 18 horses competed for the Rose blanket. 

Though the event commenced with new competitors, bettors lost a hefty sum of their money, while fans expressed their discontent over the exemption of their favorite contenders. Could this be the reason for the ratings to slope down on the graph? What do you think?

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