NBC Networks Will Televise Major TC Preps
 

The three one-hour broadcasts, two on NBC and one on USA Network, will include the Louisiana Derby, the Lane's End Stakes, the Santa Anita Derby, the Wood Memorial, the Blue Grass Stakes and the Arkansas Derby.

Each of the three "Road to the Kentucky Derby' broadcasts will feature the races and handicapping and lifestyle segments along with the races, a strategy designed to broaden the audience for these races and to drive viewership of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

The series leading to the May 1 Derby will begin March 27 on USA Network with the Louisiana Derby from New Orleans, and will also include the Lane's End Stakes from Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. On April 3, the Santa Anita Derby from California will be shown along with the Wood Memorial from Aqueduct. An April 10 broadcast will be headlined by the Blue Grass Stakes from Lexington, Ky., and the Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Ken Schanzer, the president of NBC Sports, said, "Adding the broadcasts of these important Derby prep races allows us to introduce key story lines that continue to build the broadest possible audience for the Kentucky Derby and the sport of thoroughbred racing."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/sports/11racing.html

well I'm genuinely shocked...

That's terrific. I think NBC always did a great job, and I'd love to see the preps and the TC races back in the general public eye, on one predictable station.

Are we sure softball or beach vollyball will not pre-empt the broadcasts ?

If only we can get the NBA back on NBC as well.

Of course not. Don't be silly. They'll only do that for little league baseball championships. ;)

Gotta give it to NBC, they sure seem to cross-promote like crazy and it worked out ratings-wise. I appreciate their efforts. Out of curiosity, how long does the ABC Belmont contract last and when does NBC renew their Derby/Preakness one?

it helps a lot that multiple tracks have their preps on the same day, allowing coverage of several races and having enough action in the hour to warrant that amount of coverage. the tracks need to make themselves more viewer friendly, adjusting their schedules was a step in the right direction. now, we need a tie in between the tracks for exotics betting on the preps.

now, maybe someday we'll have a telecast again of the flamingo stakes....

Oh yeah. Loved their theme song too... still have it on MP3.

The contract comes up in 2011 according to the article at which time NBC will try to get the Belmont back to carry all three races.

I don't have any use for their "lifestyle" features and such, but any racing coverage that doesn't include ESPN's unnecessary array of camera cuts during a race is welcomed.

Very good news.. NBC will do a good job

Love Tom Hammond.

Steady not spectular.. NBC should get married to the Racing again..With near term future dodgey, golf looks vulnerable, redelevoping a few special days a year could serve to fill some of the spring summer void that Tiger leaves behind. Baseball isn't the answer..

Owns horses, isn't afraid to bet and is a nice guy

Maybe Leno will host?

I have good radar.

Leno likes another type of horse power.. I am a Leno guy. Although I respect Randy Moss(not DrugS's lover) I find him very ordinary on TV and a bit boring. I recognize he is the most knowledgible guy but for some reason he comes across quite dry.

Is it because of his hair?

he fires big?

I love watching my favorite sport on television as much as anyone and with that said -

If I don't have to watch constant replays of Kenny and Bennie in a pickup

If I don't have to watch Hammerin Hank, period

Tom Hammond is great

ESPN back in the mid 2000's had a great show on Oaks and Derby Day with Thea Andrews I think? Cool show and loved the format

Give me a nice format with no repeating stories over and over just a cool format highlighting the stars of the sport, horses and people, and all is great

Lose that crap of taping stories and then repeating over and over

Lose the fake crowd noise, anyone that has worked in the biz knows it

Steve Byk, this is your calling my friend! You fit this bill!

this guy was back in the eighties on espn.......i watched some races alysheba ran as a 3 year old.

DrugS has a nice head of hair and Moss is sporting a full FRO... Randy horse Moss is folicly challenged. He still is a bit of a bore on TV..

If Moss is folicly challenged, what the hell does that make Chuck??

Byk would be a terrific addition.. So would Hoover or Serling. I actual think Simon Bray, and Cauthers are OK as well. Byk is a little sweet for my palate and a bit to friendly but way more entertaining while understanding what the F he is talking about then these other B heads.. Mayne is Mayne his heart is in the right spot but he just doesn't have the foundation to keep the reasonably knowledgeble fan captivated.

A bloated Israelite

Glad to see NBC doing something for us racing fans. I think ESPN could care less anymore with thoroughbred racing. Is anyone else getting ticked off with Sirius when TVG gets prempted by basketball? I was hoping maybe Sirius would have one channel dedicated to thoroughbred racing but I guess that is too much too ask for. At least Sirius is providing more coverage.

We might get to see more of Jill Byrne (who would look real good next to Steve). I saw her at Quizno's today near Churchill Downs wearing a black NBC jacket. Churchill Downs will be involved in the producton of these broadcasts.

For those of you going to Vegas in a couple weeks for the NHC, Jill mentioned she was going to Vegas to cover the event.

Bob Costas is the best sportscaster in my opinion.

I agree, and in fact could add another half dozen well ahead of me.. Andy should be, and likely is already, at the top of any list like this. Laffit Pincay and Scott Hazleton will get network shots along the way too sooner than later. They're both immensely talented and completely versed in racing knowledge and horsemanship. And as Jay Privman already shows on TV, any of the best DRF guys, like Mike Welsch, Brad Free and Marcus Hersch, (as you can hear on ATR), would be great additions to network broadcasts.

You can't simply be thrown in front of the camera. There is a very different mentality and style required, and experience counts. I started on radio in college and it suits my delivery. I'm not remotely polished enough for a television gig.

The whole racing on TV thing is tricky because horseplayers want it to be about handicapping, while virtually everyone else does not. So when funky camera angles and cool shots that 'others' enjoy are used, horseplayers get all cranky.

The Ky Derby has more female viewers than male viewers, so NBC is working towards that demographic. I say go for it if it has a shot at growing the game. I could care less if it's a pan shot or not in that case.

Don't sell yourself short, seen you on Capital OTB TV during Saratoga, and you were fantastic, would definitely like to see you on a national broadcast.

A face only a radio listener could love;)

Hammerin Hank.

LOL.. I could just picture you on camera when the horse you bet loses a photo.. :p

But I do think you would be wonderful on TV.

you have passion for the game. you know what you're talking about. you have connections and you're honest.
along as the network would leave you alone, you'd be excellent on tv.

You're absolutely right.And NBC,as it always does, will fill it full of tear jerker stories,human interest,and you should bet on this horse because the trainers friends dads sisters great great great great father in law is dying from cancer.Get out your box of Kleenex folks,NBC is on.Now if we could only get Mike Battaglia back in the booth for.......the.........derby.

Bite your tounge

How does he announce races. I turn the sound off. It is amazing how awful he is to listen to announcing.

As if Durkin's call in the 2009 Derby was any good. Generally he's good, but he has been declining over the years.