Complete Triple Crown set for NBC
 

Outrageous

Smarty Jones captured the nation

Can you imagine having the TC and Indy 500 on the same network again?

Must be a big cheerleading competition that they rather air instead.

If we can get the NBA back on NBC then that would be awesome!

too bad espn didn't elect to keep it, and someday add the other two jewels. i don't care for espn, but it wouldn't hurt racing to have them backing them up. look at hockey-nary a mention on espn, because they have no contract, and thus, no dog in the fight.

Do you honestly think ESPN cares?

Today in the second half of the Mizzou-Texas Tech basketball game on ESPN2, the worldwide leader went to a split-screen. On one screen they were showing the game. On the other, they were showing Doug Gottlieb watch the game.

Why?

Good question. As part of some....well....I'm not sure exactly....but as part of something, ESPN had Doug Gottlieb directing the broadcast for the start of the second half along with being the analyst for the game. So, in addition to having the lovely split-screen effect for the first 6-8 minutes of the half, viewers also got to enjoy listening to (and watching) Gottlieb call out directions regarding what replays to run, what cameras to go to, etc.

It was unbearable.

What does this have to do with the Belmont. Nothing really. But I hate ESPN.

no, which was my point. i think them getting into the nfl helped make what that sport is today. it was big growing up, but that sport is huuuge now. espn, sad to say, is a force in sports. can't help but think that if they got bigger into racing, racing would reap some dividends.

But they were in it. They used to be involved more and have been scaling back. We took a back seat to Little League baseball and hockey for awhile there. I once saw them air a spelling bee instead of an important horse race. What passes for sports on ESPN is dicey sometimes. Poker and pool shouldn't qualify. It doesn't mean they can't do a good job with racing. I just don't think they want to spend much time on it these days.

NBC had no comment regarding this week’s developments, but concerning broadcasting the Preakness and Belmont, NBC Sports spokesman Adam Freifeld said February 4, “NBC is always interested in great properties.”

Part of any negotiation involving the Preakness on May 21 could be the broadcast of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on the preceding day at Pimlico Race Course. New for this year at Frank Stronach-owned tracks is a $5.5-million bonus tying races for three-year-olds with the Preakness and a $2.2-million bonus for three-year-old fillies and the Black-Eyed Susan.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/rac...ont-talks.aspx

NBC showing the entire undercard.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/watch

Wow, that's good news. The only thing that would make it better would be if instead of the "Red Carpet fluff Show",they aired some sort of comprehensive preview show previewing the races, different betting opportunities and angles.
But I guess beggars shouldn't be choosey and just be happy with the coverage they are giving.

I always get stressed about undercard coverage since we always have a derby party. I don't have access to HRTV. Glad its put to bed early.

I thought they moved the Eight Belles to Friday?

NBC will do a good job for the general public. They respect horse racing. They will advertise the series heavily on their channels pre-events. Good PR to get it back in front of the public in a consistent, predictable way for two months. Glad to see it.

:tro: Glad we don't have to spend any time during/after the Derby coverage griping about how, if they'd just turned around, a graded race was going on right behind them.

Not so fast. From 4-5pm, they are showing the red carpet stuff. It would not surprise me at all if we still miss a live race. I guess it would be the Woodford Reserve.

NBC saw opportunity in demographics many did not expect, hence the Oaks on Bravo etc.