NBC renews deal to televise Derby, Preakness
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes are staying put on NBC for another five years.
The network has televised the first two legs of horse racing's Triple Crown series since 2001. The renewal, announced Tuesday, runs through 2010.
NBC is losing the Belmont Stakes -- the Triple Crown finale -- to ABC next year. ABC televised the Belmont from 1986-00 before Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont Park signed on with NBC to carry all three races.
ABC-owned ESPN has acquired distribution rights for the Belmont through several outlets, including ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Classic.
The TV split of the Triple Crown races has been in the works for a while: New York Racing Association officials were unhappy about getting half as much money as Churchill Downs, home of the Derby, despite the Belmont's record ratings the past few years. Churchill Downs receives 50 percent, with Belmont Park and Pimlico sharing 50 percent in the current deal.
Last year's Belmont earned the highest ratings since 1981 as viewers watched Birdstone spoil a bid by Smarty Jones to win the Triple Crown.
Watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC this Saturday at 5 p.m. ET
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
