NBC Earns 6.2/14 Overnight Nielsen Rating For Preakness Stakes

NBC Sees Slight Drop In Ratings For Preakness

OUTRUNNING THE ROSES: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir wrote during NBC's broadcast Eight Belles' death at the Kentucky Derby was "noted often," mostly during the net's 13-minute panel, hosted by Bob Costas, about the "challenges to the horse-racing industry posed by drugs and breeding." But the Big Brown "story line held true for a well-produced broadcast that lasted more than two hours." The taped horse-industry panel discussion was a "welcome addition, the polar opposite of the moronic red carpet special, hosted by the anti-Costas, Billy Bush, that preceded the Derby." Also, the "winner's circle ceremony was far less annoying than it was after the Derby," as "no sponsor was in sight" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18). In St. Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote NBC recovered from the Derby with an "outstanding examination of horse safety." Costas, "at his absolute best in such moments, led a thought-provoking roundtable" (SPTIMES.com, 5/18).

MAKING THE GRADE: In DC, Jim Williams writes NBC Saturday "proved that they were indeed on top of their game on thoroughbred racing coverage," as Costas was "at his best" in hosting the roundtable discussion. Also, NBC's Gary Stevens in his race analysis "showed his wonderful knowledge by describing prior to the race what track Big Brown would have to travel to win the race" (WASHINGTON EXAMINER, 5/19). USA TODAY's Michael McCarthy writes the "best debate" during the panel discussion was when Stevens "bristled at [the N.Y. Times' William Rhoden] comparing racing to bullfighting." Stevens: "How can you compare Thoroughbred horse racing to death sports?" Rhoden replied, "Tell me why it's not?" Meanwhile, McCarthy notes NBC "delivered three great shots during" its Preakness coverage: Big Brown jockey Kent Desormeaux forgetting his whip, Desormeaux peeking under his arm for pursuers and a "blimp shot of Big Brown accelerating into another gear" (USA TODAY, 5/19). The N.Y. TIMES' Sandomir wrote NBC's camera was "inadvertently present" when Desormeaux forgot his whip, and "more importantly, NBC captured the winning jockey repeatedly looking under his arm to see his pursuers fade as Big Brown" pulled away from the pack (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18).

MADE FOR TV? In Baltimore, Ray Frager wrote Desormeaux before the race was "articulate, good-humored and obviously excited," and his "high spirits permeated NBC's telecast." Whenever Desormeaux retires from racing, "one of the networks would do well to put him behind a microphone." Meanwhile, Frager wrote the panel discussion "didn't generate much heat," and NBC's cameras during the broadcast "got blocked a couple of times." Also, NBC "gave a short look -- probably about what they warranted -- at the [PETA] protesters who were outside the track" (Baltimore SUN, 5/18).

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