NBC Sports Group to Air Derby, Triple Crown

NBC Sports Group announced April 24 the schedule for its record 15 1/2 hours of programming for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the rest of its Triple Crown coverage.



This is the fourth consecutive year all three races have been aired by NBC.



Coverage by NBC Sports Group begins Wednesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. ET with a "Kentucky Derby Classics" show featuring 2013 Derby winner Orb  . That will be followed by the "Post Position Draw" program. Both will be on NBCSN.



NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage, which has been honored with Eclipse Awards each of the past two years, includes 7 1/2 hours on Derby Day, May 3, on NBC and NBCSN.



NBC Sports Group coverage features Bob Costas, a 25-time Emmy Award-winner, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey; analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; NBCSN host/NBC reporter Laffit Pincay III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers, and Jay Privman, and race caller Larry Collmus.

Josh Elliott makes his NBC Sports Group debut on May 2-3, providing a mix of features and interviews at Churchill Downs. Carolyn Manno also makes her Kentucky Derby debut as do Olympic figure skaters and NBC figure skating analysts Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, who will serve as fashion experts.



The coordinating producer of NBC's coverage is Rob Hyland, a veteran of the network's horse racing broadcasts since 2001. The Kentucky Derby is directed by "Sunday Night Football" and NBC Sports' horse racing director Drew Esocoff. The coverage on NBCSN is produced by Billy Matthews and directed by Patrick McManus. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBCSN is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.



NBC Sports Group said it will present 30 1/2 hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park. Preakness Stakes (gr. I) coverage airs Friday-Saturday, May 16-17, and the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) programming is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, June 6-7.



In addition to its television programming, NBC Sports Group is offering an extensive menu of streaming on other desktops, mobile devices, and tablets, as well as social media options.