Belmont viewership down slightly

Viewership for the Belmont Stakes broadcast on FOX’s flagship network peaked at 4.7 million viewers, according to FOX, down 6 percent compared to the peak viewership figure for last year’s broadcast.

Combined broadcasts on FOX and its FS1 network averaged 3.73 million viewers, according to FOX, down 2.6 percent. The broadcast on FOX ran from 4 p.m. Eastern until 7:30 p.m., with the race going off at 7:01 p.m. FOX ran a competing broadcast on FS1 from 4:00 to 6:30 that featured more in-depth coverage of handicapping and betting strategies.

Last year’s broadcast peaked at 5 million viewers and averaged 3.83 million viewers.

FOX holds the broadcast rights to the Belmont Stakes through 2030. The network is expected to make a run at the broadcast rights for the Preakness Stakes, which have been held by NBC for decades. NBC’s contract expired this year.

The Preakness broadcast this year peaked at 7.1 million viewers, while the Kentucky Derby broadcast peaked at 24.4 million viewers, according to NBC.

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