Preakness ratings up

NEW YORK – Exaggerator’s victory over Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in the Preakness was watched on NBC by an average of more than 9.4 million people, a 6 percent increase over American Pharoah’s victory last year in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The figures were released Tuesday by NBC, based on data from The Nielsen Company.

It’s the third time in four years that NBC’s Preakness audience topped 9 million viewers. Last year’s Preakness averaged 8.9 million viewers.

The Preakness had a 5.8 rating and 14 share, up 5 percent from last year’s race (5.5 rating, 13 share).

NBC’s Derby telecast on May 7 averaged 15.5 million viewers with a 9.0 rating and 21 share.

Ratings represent the percentage of U.S. homes with televisions tuned to a program. Shares measure the percentage in use at the time.