The following is a list of national American television networks and announcers that have broadcast Kentucky Derby. The race has been broadcast nationally since 1952, starting on CBS from 1952 to 1974, then ABC from 1975 to 2000, and its current home NBC since 2001.
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."Derby To Go On The Air", The New York Times, May 16, 1925, p. 11 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.
Television 2020s YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation2026NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt BernierKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, John Fanta, Dylan Dreyer, Steve Kornacki and Zanna Roberts RassiRebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed2025NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico, Ahmed Fareed and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt BernierKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dylan Dreyer and Steve KornackiRebecca Lowe and Britney Eurton2024NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt BernierKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dylan Dreyer, Steve Kornacki and Zanna Roberts RassiRebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed2023NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt BernierKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer, Sanya Richards-Ross, Steve Kornacki and Matthew BerryRebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed2022NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Rutledge Wood, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer, Zanna Roberts Rassi and Steve KornackiRebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed2021NBCLarry CollmusMike TiricoRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Jac Collinsworth, Sanya Richards-Ross and Steve KornackiAhmed Fareed and Britney Eurton2020NBCLarry CollmusMike TiricoRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton and Rutledge WoodKenny Rice and Britney Eurton Notes Mike Tirico stepped away during the 2025 Kentucky Derby due to a nut allergy reaction, Ahmed Fareed filled in for Tirico for the rest of the telecast.
2010s YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation2019NBCLarry CollmusMike Tirico and Rebecca LoweRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Rutledge Wood, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer and Von MillerRebecca Lowe and Britney Eurton2018NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Mike TiricoRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood, Dylan Dreyer, Johnny Weir and Tara LipinskiBob Costas and Laffit Pincay III2017NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Mike TiricoRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood and Dylan DreyerBob Costas and Laffit Pincay III2016NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood, Johnny Weir and Tara LipinskiBob Costas and Laffit Pincay III2015NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Mike Battaglia and Eddie OlczykKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Josh Elliott, Carolyn Manno, Johnny Weir and Tara LipinskiBob Costas and Josh Elliott2014NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Josh Elliott, Carolyn Manno, Johnny Weir and Tara LipinskiBob Costas and Josh Elliott2013NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondRandy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Michelle Beadle and Coco RochaBob Costas and Laffit Pincay III2012NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Randy Moss, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Jenna Wolfe and Catt SadlerBob Costas and Laffit Pincay III2011NBCLarry CollmusBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Randy Moss, Maria Menounos, and Jenna WolfeBob Costas and Randy Moss2010NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Natalie Morales and Jim Cantore (weather)Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia In 2014, NBC renewed its broadcast agreement with Churchill Downs through 2025.
2000s YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation2009NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Mike Battaglia and Kenny RiceKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2008NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2007NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2006NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondGary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2005NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondCharlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2004NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondCharlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers and Melissa StarkBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2003NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondCharlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Charlsie Cantey2002NBCTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondCharlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Mike Battaglia2001NBCThe 127th Kentucky Derby (2001) home page at Hollywood.comTom DurkinBob Costas and Tom HammondCharlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike BattagliaKenny Rice and Donna Barton BrothersBob Costas and Charlsie Cantey2000ABCThe 126th Kentucky Derby (2000) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsHank Goldberg and Dave JohnsonCharlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay and Charlsie Cantey
1990s YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation1999ABCThe 125th Kentucky Derby (1999) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsHank Goldberg and Dave JohnsonCharlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay and Charlsie Cantey1998ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1998) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsHank Goldberg, Dave Johnson and Mike E. SmithCharlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay and Charlsie Cantey1997ABCThe 123rd Kentucky Derby (1997) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey, Dave Johnson and Chris McCarronLesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay1996ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1996) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonLesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay1995ABCDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker, Lesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay1994ABCDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker, Lesley Visser and Robin RobertsJim McKay1993ABCDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey, Dave Johnson and Steve CauthenJack Whitaker and Robin RobertsJim McKay1992ABCDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Robin RobertsJim McKay1991ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1991) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Robin RobertsJim McKay1990ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1990) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Lynn SwannJim McKay
1980s YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation1989ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1989) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Lynn SwannJim McKay1988ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1988) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Lynn SwannJim McKay1987ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1987) home page at Hollywood.comDave JohnsonJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Dave JohnsonJack Whitaker and Lynn SwannJim McKay1986ABCThe Kentucky Derby (1986) home page at Hollywood.comMike BattagliaJim McKay and Al MichaelsCharlsie Cantey and Bill Hartack Jack Whitaker and Lynn SwannJim McKay1985ABCMike BattagliaJim McKayBill HartackHoward Cosell and Jack WhitakerJim McKay1984ABCMike BattagliaJim McKayBill HartackHoward Cosell and Jack WhitakerJim McKay1983ABCMike BattagliaJim McKayBill HartackHoward Cosell, Frank Gifford, and Jack WhitakerJim McKay1982ABCMike BattagliaJim McKayJohn M. VeitchHoward Cosell and Jack WhitakerJim McKay1981ABCMike BattagliaJim McKayEddie ArcaroHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell1980ABCDave JohnsonJim McKayEddie ArcaroHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell
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 YearNetworkRace callerHostsAnalystsReportersTrophy presentation1979ABCDave JohnsonJim McKayEddie ArcaroHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell1978ABCDave JohnsonJim McKayEddie Arcaro and Howard CosellHoward Cosell and Chris SchenkelJim McKay and Howard Cosell1977ABCChic AndersonJim McKayEddie Arcaro and Howard CosellHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell1976ABCChic AndersonChris Schenkel and Jim McKayHoward CosellHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell1975ABC Chic AndersonChris Schenkel and Jim McKayJohn Rotz and Howard CosellHoward CosellJim McKay and Howard Cosell1974CBSChic AndersonJack Whitaker Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. WrightHeywood Hale Broun and Frank I. WrightJack Whitaker1973CBSChic Anderson Jack WhitakerHeywood Hale Broun and Frank I. WrightHeywood Hale Broun and Frank I. WrightJack Whitaker1972CBSChic AndersonJack WhitakerHeywood Hale Broun and Frank I. WrightHeywood Hale Broun and Pia LindströmJack Whitaker1971CBSChic AndersonJack WhitakerHeywood Hale BrounHeywood Hale Broun and Pia LindströmJack Whitaker1970CBSChic AndersonJack WhitakerHeywood Hale Broun and Eddie ArcaroHeywood Hale BrounJack Whitaker
1960s