T. V. Ratings
 

T.V. Ratings
 

How and why?

Lots of rain out there across the northeast...lots of folks inside with their TVs on..."Hey, the Derby is on...I think I'll watch."

The tv ratings have been primed for an uptick for a while now. From a "share" perspective, the Derby ratings dropped steadily from the seventies to the late nineties (from a 54 in 1975 to 17 in 2000). In this new millenium, the share numbers have bounced around within a narrow range (20-24). Personally, I believe that portends a bit of upside for the future of the sport.

One downside----more people got to watch Bob Costas conduct a roundtable of our sport and it's issues.....ugh

More
 

More non-betting fans!

To put that in better perspective (I think), in the seventies there were a handful of channels to watch. Now I have hundreds. (and on demand features to go back and watch anything I might have missed the first time around)

A 54 then based on what little was available to the viewers compared to 17's in the 2000's is in relative terms probably an increase. I mean it had dropped to a little over a third in that time period, yet viewing options have gone up 10 or 20 fold. One would think it would have dropped far more than it did.

1979 - Spectacular Bid - my first Derby - I became hooked, I was a non bettor and contined to be a non bettor for five more years. I did not turn 18 until that year.

It ain't all so bad Kenwood'

I think the sub-headline should read

"Derby Ratings Highest In Nearly Two Decades: Horseplayers Still Complain"

The uptick happened when NBC took over for ABC.

Fans
 

Racing needs tons more non betting fans, like other sports have.

The expansion of full card simulcasting and other off-track betting opportunities.
Betting from home, watching it on TV. I'd like to agree with that, but I'm just not seeing it.

Economy has caused many people to cancel their cable/satellite service, so they're stuck with just a few channels...

The Economy
 

Our local track just closed. The economy stinks, and people don't have money to gamble with. If it wasn't for the little things like food, housing, and putting gas in your car we would be all set.

TV Ratings by market
 

Although I am not from here I live in Knoxville, TN. It totally surprised me that Knoxville ranked 6th in the Nation for Derby T.V. ratings. We do not have a track or OTB and in the 10 years I have lived here I was sure I was the only thoroughbred fan in town. I must be hanging with the wrong crowd.

Freddy