NBC Sports Group is adding another contender to the field, announcing a multi-year agreement for exclusive US media rights to the Royal Ascot in England in 2017. The prestigious horse racing meet will see NBCSN offer live coverage of the mid-June event from Tuesday-Saturday for at least 3.5 hours each day starting at 8:30a. The deal compliments the company’s horse racing lineup that includes the Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup.
Speaking of the Triple Crown, for Exaggerator’s win at the Preakness Stakes posted a 6.2 overnight rating in households for NBC with a 14 share, up 7% in rating over last year’s race. Top markets: Baltimore 19.7/38; Louisville 14.6/28; Ft. Myers 13.6/24; Richmond 10.6/18; and West Palm 10.4/19.