Nebraska Broadcasting Company (NBC) prepares for its 25th "Run for the Roses" at the Kentucky Derby, expanding and altering its coverage to deliver a fresh, exciting experience.
Let's Talk Derby! NBC's Grand Evolution
NBC's covering of the illustrious Kentucky Derby has come a long, long way since their inaugural 2001 broadcast, a mere 90 minutes. Fast forward to 2025, their 25th year broadcasting the Run for the Roses, and NBC Sports is gearing up for an astounding 12.5 hours of coverage across not one, but two days on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock.
"In 2001, we thought 90 minutes would be enough to cover a two-minute race," recalls Donna Brothers, the lone member of the broadcast team who has been there for all 25 Derbys on NBC. “Now we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to fit it all in because there are so many great stories to tell!”
The Evolution: A Decade-by-Decade Analysis
Early Years (2001-2009): NBC's debut Derby broadcast was a humble 90-minute affair, but as time went by, the network began to incorporate more feature stories, expanding to five hours in 2018.
The Golden Age (2010-2019): NBC took the reins and started to truly embrace the chance to tell compelling stories about the Derby beyond just the race itself. Streaming options were introduced, and the coverage began to appeal to a broader audience.
The Modern Era (2020-today): With the broadcast now featuring fashion, food, and data analysis alongside racing, NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage has become one of the network's most diverse yearly events, standing toe-to-toe with the Olympics and Super Bowl.
From hit ratings to cultivating a diverse audience, it seems NBC has hit the trifecta with their coverage expansion. “This show is so cool,” says Mike Tirico, the host of NBC’s coverage since 2017. “It goes from speed figures to fascinators. It goes from betting to bourbon. We cover it all in the five hours with a great team of people who dive in and take their space and own it.”
The 25th Broadcast: A Closer Look
Friday, May 4th, marks the start of the festivities with 5 hours of coverage dedicated to the Kentucky Oaks on USA Network and Peacock. Saturday, May 5th, the main event begins at noon ET on USA Network before shifting over to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET. All 7.5 hours of the star-studded event will be streamed on Peacock.
But it's not just about the length — it's about the stories. Keep your eyes peeled for features on trainers like Bob Baffert, who returns after serving a three-year suspension, as well as 89-year-old D. Wayne Lukas and Michael McCarthy, the trainer of prerace favorite Journalism, who faced displacement due to wildfires.
With a skilled team of commentators, including Donna Brothers, Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, and Larry Collmus, and a focus on diverse stories, the 25th broadcast promises to be a thrilling, all-encompassing experience.
AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing and Derby coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/kentucky-derby
- Donna Brothers, who has been a part of NBC's Kentucky Derby broadcast team for all 25 years, surprisingly remembered their first coverage as a 90-minute event, thinking it would be enough for the two-minute race.
- As the years progressed, NBC Sports has increasingly delved into feature stories, expanding their coverage from the initial 90 minutes to a whopping 12.5 hours across two days in their 25th year.
- In the modern era, NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage includes not just the racing, but also fashion, food, data analysis, and more, making it one of their most diverse annual events.
- This year's broadcast, marking their 25th year, will offer a closer look at trainers like Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Michael McCarthy, the trainer of prerace favorite Journalism, who faced challenges due to wildfires.
- With a team of skilled commentators, including Donna Brothers, and a focus on diverse stories, NBC's 25th Kentucky Derby broadcast is set to be an exciting, all-encompassing experience, surpassing even the spectacle of the Olympics and Super Bowl.
