Back in 2001, NBC’s first broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was a compact 90-minute segment. Now, as the network rolls out coverage for its 25th year on Saturday, squeezing the extensive lineup of stories into 90 minutes would be impossible. This year, NBC Sports is pulling all stops with an exhilarating 12 1/2 hours of coverage over two days, airing on NBC, USA Network, and streaming on Peacock.
For Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, USA Network and Peacock will deliver five hours of live coverage. Saturday’s action will commence on USA Network at noon ET, before transitioning to NBC at 2:30 p.m., with Peacock streaming the entire 7 1/2-hour event. “So much has changed since 2001. Back then, we wondered how to fill 90 minutes for a two-minute race,” noted Donna Brothers, the only broadcaster who has been part of all 25 of NBC’s Derby productions.
Starting in 2018, Derby Day coverage on NBC expanded to five hours. Sam Flood, the executive producer of NBC Sports Production, recalls the evolution of broadcasting, especially after he produced his first Derby in 2006. “After that show—which I believe was two hours—I thought we could expand considerably,” Flood said. “There were so many stories and elements that deserved attention.” The effort to show these prompted extensions of airtime and a shift towards the main network from cable options.
The Kentucky Oaks became part of this extended coverage journey, initially airing on Bravo in 2009 before moving to NBC Sports Network and then to USA Network. The Derby broadcast emerged as one of NBC’s most diverse sporting events annually, competing with the Olympics and the Super Bowl for its broad appeal. Viewers can experience a unique mix, including fashion insights, recipes from Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and race forecasts by Steve Kornacki from NBC News.
Mike Tirico, who has hosted NBC’s Derby coverage since 2017, acknowledged the Derby as valuable practice for broader hosting duties, likening his experience to hosting the Olympics and a recent stint on the “Today” show. “Presenting the Derby equipped me for the ‘Today’ show last week,” he reflected. “The show transitions from in-depth betting analyses to lighthearted coverage of fashion and bourbon-related content,” he said, emphasizing how the audience and team build excitement until the race begins.
Replacing Tom Hammond—who was instrumental in shaping NBC’s early Derby broadcasts—Tirico spoke highly of his predecessor’s contributions, especially in bringing racing personalities to the audience’s attention. With nearly 4 1/2 hours leading to the race’s start, Lindsay Schanzer, the supervising producer, enjoys the opportunity to spotlight the narratives surrounding the 20 horses in competition.
Among the standout stories are returns and comebacks: Trainer Bob Baffert comes back to the spotlight after a suspension, and longtime trainer D. Wayne Lukas, now 89, continues to make headlines. More human-interest angles include Michael McCarthy’s tale—trainer of favorite Journalism—who faced personal adversity when wildfires displaced his family from their California home. Schanzer organizes the broadcast with a “colors document,” ensuring a diverse coverage mix.
“Every segment is represented by a color—be it Kornacki’s analysis, fashion segments, or interviews with horse trainers,” Schanzer explained. This strategic approach has paid off; last year’s Derby saw viewership peak at 16.7 million, with 714,000 streaming on Peacock, the largest audience since 1989. “Since 2001, every Derby brings exciting surprises,” remarked Jon Miller, NBC Sports president of acquisitions and partnerships. “With 20 horses racing, anything can happen—a storyline that includes both the unexpected and the legendary.”