NBCSN Drops Planned Weekend Trackside Live Coverage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 08:19
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NBCSN Drops Planned Weekend Trackside Live Coverage
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NBC Sports tweeted March 21 that NBCSN's planned weekend simulcast coverage of TVG's Trackside Live programs would not take place "due to ongoing Coronavirus uncertainty." 

NBCSN, which reaches 80 million households, and TVG had actively promoted the addition to its programming this week, which was to include onsite coverage of Saturday's Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Horse racing programming on NBCSN, which had been scheduled from 4-8 p.m ET Saturday and March 22, will now be filled on Saturday with Monster Jam, in which oversized vehicles, "Monster Trucks," are driven over jumps and perform maneuvers.

Staffing for many businesses has been dramatically reduced amid COVID-19. Some states have mandated the closure of businesses not providing essential services.

Horse racing that is still underway across the U.S. is taking place in front of largely empty grandstands due to COVID-19, with tracks restricting attendance to horsemen, racing officials, and track staff. Last weekend, owners, invitees, and media still had access at many tracks, including at Oaklawn Park, where Sean Payton, head coach for the New Orleans Saints football team, presented the trophy after the Azeri Stakes (G2) March 14.

Payton announced March 19 he had tested positive for COVID-19, prompting some people who interacted with him to begin to self-quarantine, such as trainers Tom Amoss and Jeremiah Englehart.

TVG's Britney Eurton, who was the initial host assigned for coverage Saturday at Fair Grounds, interviewed Payton in the winner's circle at Oaklawn.

Following Payton's announcement, Kevin Grigsby, the senior vice president of programming and executive producer at TVG, tweeted that any employees that had come in contact with Payton would self-quarantine. 

Eurton posted a video later that day, explaining she was feeling well.

On Saturday, Joe Kristufek, in-house television host at Fair Grounds, tweeted that he would not conduct his usual post-race interviews on camera after the major stakes races there, citing caution. He intends to distribute interviews captured on cell phone camera via social media.

Grigsby tweeted Saturday that TVG had to adjust its usual coverage.