Churchill Downs and NBC Sports extend historic Kentucky Derby partnership until 2032

Churchill Downs Incorporated has announced that NBC Sports will continue to host the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032. CDI’s partnership with NBC Sports began in 2001, with this latest multi-year partnership extension making NBC the first media company to present the major horse racing event for over three decades.

“As we celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is proud to extend the relationship with NBC Sports,” said Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen on Saturday. “As our media partner for the last 23 years, NBC has artfully captured the most exciting two minutes in sports and the spectacle of the senses that surrounds it.”

Rick Cordella, President of NBC Sports, said: “Telling the rich stories surrounding the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May is part of the fabric of NBC Sports, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition with Churchill Downs. We look forward to surrounding the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby with wall-to-wall coverage and extensive promotion on the platforms of NBCUniversal.”

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.

The 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby, held the past weekend, proved a major event for horse racing betting. CDI has revealed that the overall wagering from all sources on Kentucky Derby Day generated $320.5 million. This was 11.1% higher than last year’s record of $288.7 million, marking a new record.