The following is a list of national American television networks and announcers that have broadcast Kentucky Derby.
Television
2020s
Notes
- Mike Tirico stepped away during the 2025 Kentucky Derby dued to a nut allergy reaction, Ahmed Fareed filled in for Tirico for the rest of the telecast.
2010s
- In 2014, NBC renewed its broadcast agreement with Churchill Downs through 2025.
2000s
1990s
1980s
- In 1985, a group of people wanted to increase the stature of the Triple Crown on television. Other than the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes were considered the two "other" races. ABC Sports, which had broadcast the Derby since 1975, wanted to televise all the races as a three race package. CBS Sports, which showed the other two races, had much lower ratings for them, with the possible exceptions of years in which the Crown was at stake like 1973, 1977, and 1978.
1970s
1960s
1950s
- On May 16, 1925, the first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was originated by WHAS and was also carried by WGN in Chicago. On May 7, 1949, the first television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, produced by WAVE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Louisville. This coverage was aired live in the Louisville market and sent to NBC as a kinescope newsreel recording for national broadcast. This broadcast was the first time Zoomar lenses were used on a broadcast TV sports show. On May 3, 1952, the first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, aired from then-CBS affiliate WHAS-TV. In 1954, the purse exceeded $100,000 for the first time.
See also
References