Saturday’s Kentucky Derby marks the 150th running of the spectacle, and NBC and Churchill Downs celebrated the occasion with a big announcement.
NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced several hours before the race they have extended their broadcast partnership through 2032. NBC has aired every Kentucky Derby since 2001.
“Telling the rich stories surrounding the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May is part of the fabric of NBC Sports, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition with Churchill Downs,” NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said in a statement. “We look forward to surrounding the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby with wall-to-wall coverage and extensive promotion on the platforms of NBCUniversal.”
“It is a holiday impervious to time and change.”
Nothing in American sports has been more constant than the Kentucky Derby. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/b6OiuCUxup
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2024
NBC’s coverage of the 2023 Kentucky Derby peaked at 16.6 million viewers, right as Mage crossed the finish line to win. The network averaged 15 million viewers for the broadcast.
FanDuel also has a multiyear agreement with Churchill Downs to offer single-account, single-wallet betting and also air other live races from the track.
“As we celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is proud to extend the relationship with NBC Sports,” Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said in a statement. “As our media partner for the last 23 years, NBC has artfully captured the most exciting two minutes in sports and the spectacle of the senses that surrounds it.”
