NBC is moving one of its signature horse racing events to primetime beginning in 2026. But it’s not one of their Triple Crown races, it’s the Kentucky Oaks the night before the Kentucky Derby.
The Oaks is one of the premier events of Derby weekend as one of the top races for 3-year-old fillies.
The NBC announcement says the Kentucky Oaks will air at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
“We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever,” said NBC Sports President Jon Miller in a network press release. “With the Oaks on Friday night leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, we can’t wait to get back to Churchill Downs for another historic weekend of racing.”
“By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we’re giving one of horse racing’s most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,” added Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen. “This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.”
With this move it’s only natural to wonder whether the same fate will soon come for the Kentucky Derby. From the NBC perspective, it certainly makes sense. The race portion of the Kentucky Derby is one of the most watched sporting events of the year, especially those that exist outside of the NFL universe. This year’s edition hit an incredible 36-year high in viewership at 17.7 million for the race portion of the broadcast that covered 6:33-7:24 p.m. ET.
A move into primetime would not be that much of a shift given the late afternoon/early evening start for the Kentucky Derby, but it could present an interesting scheduling dynamic given the all day coverage leading up to it. It could be that putting the Kentucky Oaks in primetime the night before presents a great test run for both NBC and Churchill Downs to see if they want to do the same on Saturday in the years to come.
About Matt Yoder