TV Coverage: What the heck is going on?

[saratoga guy]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Why is ESPN scheduled to overlap though? I know it probably means they'll get to cover what NBC pre-empts but it's built into the schedule for TV Guide. Did they plan (with amazing foresight for network programming given their past record) for a pre-emption and give ESPN permission to cover it since it wasn't likely to be an overlap of horse racing coverage?

The first half-hour of NBC's coverage (the overlap period) is supposed to be a "red-carpet" type of "pre-show".

Since it was just announced a week or so ago it seems like a late addition. Otherwise I doubt ESPN would have been allowed to overlap. But the i's were probably already dotted, and the t's crossed.