List of Kentucky Derby broadcasters

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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.[1] On May 7, 1949, the first television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place, produced by WAVE-TV,[2] 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.[3] In 1954, the purse exceeded $100,000 for the first time.

Television

2020s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
2026 NBC[4] Larry Collmus Mike Tirico and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, John Fanta, Dylan Dreyer, Steve Kornacki and Zanna Roberts Rassi Rebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed
2025 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico, Ahmed Fareed and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dylan Dreyer and Steve Kornacki Rebecca Lowe and Britney Eurton
2024 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dylan Dreyer, Steve Kornacki and Zanna Roberts Rassi Rebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed
2023 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer, Sanya Richards-Ross, Steve Kornacki and Matthew Berry Rebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed
2022 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Rutledge Wood, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer, Zanna Roberts Rassi and Steve Kornacki Rebecca Lowe and Ahmed Fareed
2021 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Ahmed Fareed, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Jac Collinsworth, Sanya Richards-Ross and Steve Kornacki Ahmed Fareed and Britney Eurton
2020 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton and Rutledge Wood Kenny Rice and Britney Eurton
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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.[5]

2010s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
2019 NBC Larry Collmus Mike Tirico and Rebecca Lowe Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, Rutledge Wood, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dylan Dreyer and Von Miller Rebecca Lowe and Britney Eurton
2018 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Mike Tirico Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Britney Eurton, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood, Dylan Dreyer, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Bob Costas and Laffit Pincay III
2017 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Mike Tirico Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood and Dylan Dreyer Bob Costas and Laffit Pincay III
2016 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Carolyn Manno, Rutledge Wood, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Bob Costas and Laffit Pincay III
2015 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Mike Battaglia and Eddie Olczyk Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Josh Elliott, Carolyn Manno, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Bob Costas and Josh Elliott
2014 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Josh Elliott, Carolyn Manno, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski Bob Costas and Josh Elliott
2013 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Michelle Beadle and Coco Rocha Bob Costas and Laffit Pincay III
2012 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Randy Moss, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Laffit Pincay III, Jenna Wolfe and Catt Sadler Bob Costas and Laffit Pincay III
2011 NBC Larry Collmus Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Randy Moss, Maria Menounos, and Jenna Wolfe Bob Costas and Randy Moss
2010 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers, Natalie Morales and Jim Cantore (weather) Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
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2000s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
2009 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Mike Battaglia and Kenny Rice Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2008 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2007 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2006 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2005 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Charlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2004 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Charlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice, Donna Barton Brothers and Melissa Stark Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2003 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Charlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Charlsie Cantey
2002 NBC Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Charlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Mike Battaglia
2001 NBC[7] Tom Durkin Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Charlsie Cantey, Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia Kenny Rice and Donna Barton Brothers Bob Costas and Charlsie Cantey
2000 ABC[8] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Hank Goldberg and Dave Johnson Charlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay and Charlsie Cantey
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1990s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
1999 ABC[9] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Hank Goldberg and Dave Johnson Charlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay and Charlsie Cantey
1998 ABC[10] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Hank Goldberg, Dave Johnson and Mike E. Smith Charlsie Cantey, Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay and Charlsie Cantey
1997 ABC[11] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey, Dave Johnson and Chris McCarron Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1996 ABC[12] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1995 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker, Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1994 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker, Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1993 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey, Dave Johnson and Steve Cauthen Jack Whitaker and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1992 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1991 ABC[13] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Robin Roberts Jim McKay
1990 ABC[14] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Lynn Swann Jim McKay
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1980s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
1989 ABC[15] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Lynn Swann Jim McKay
1988 ABC[16] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Lynn Swann Jim McKay
1987 ABC[17] Dave Johnson Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Dave Johnson Jack Whitaker and Lynn Swann Jim McKay
1986 ABC[18] Mike Battaglia Jim McKay and Al Michaels Charlsie Cantey and Bill Hartack Jack Whitaker and Lynn Swann Jim McKay
1985 ABC Mike Battaglia Jim McKay Bill Hartack Howard Cosell and Jack Whitaker Jim McKay
1984 ABC Mike Battaglia Jim McKay Bill Hartack Howard Cosell and Jack Whitaker Jim McKay
1983 ABC Mike Battaglia Jim McKay Bill Hartack Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, and Jack Whitaker Jim McKay
1982 ABC Mike Battaglia Jim McKay John M. Veitch Howard Cosell and Jack Whitaker Jim McKay
1981 ABC Mike Battaglia Jim McKay Eddie Arcaro Howard Cosell Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1980 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay Eddie Arcaro Howard Cosell Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
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  • 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

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
1979 ABC Dave Johnson Jim McKay[19] Eddie Arcaro[19] Howard Cosell[19] Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1978 ABC[20] Dave Johnson[20] Jim McKay[20] Eddie Arcaro and Howard Cosell[20] Howard Cosell and Chris Schenkel[20] Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1977 ABC[21] Chic Anderson[21] Jim McKay[21] Eddie Arcaro and Howard Cosell[21] Howard Cosell Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1976 ABC[22] Chic Anderson Chris Schenkel and Jim McKay[22] Howard Cosell[22] Howard Cosell Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1975 ABC[23] Chic Anderson[23] Chris Schenkel and Jim McKay[23] John Rotz and Howard Cosell[23] Howard Cosell Jim McKay and Howard Cosell
1974 CBS[24] Chic Anderson[24] Jack Whitaker[24] Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. Wright[24] Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. Wright Jack Whitaker
1973 CBS[25] Chic Anderson[25] Jack Whitaker[25] Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. Wright[25] Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. Wright Jack Whitaker
1972 CBS[26] Chic Anderson[26] Jack Whitaker[26] Heywood Hale Broun and Frank I. Wright[26] Heywood Hale Broun and Pia Lindström[26] Jack Whitaker
1971 CBS[27] Chic Anderson[27] Jack Whitaker[27] Heywood Hale Broun[27] Heywood Hale Broun and Pia Lindström[27] Jack Whitaker
1970 CBS[28] Chic Anderson[28] Jack Whitaker[28] Heywood Hale Broun and Eddie Arcaro[28] Heywood Hale Broun[28] Jack Whitaker
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1960s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Hosts Analysts Reporters Trophy presentation
1969 CBS Chic Anderson Jack Whitaker Heywood Hale Broun and Eddie Arcaro Jack Whitaker
1968 CBS Jack Drees Jack Drees and Jack Whitaker Jack Whitaker
1967 CBS Jack Drees Jack Drees and Jack Whitaker Jack Whitaker
1966 CBS Jack Drees Jack Whitaker Bryan Field Jack Whitaker
1965 CBS Bryan Field Jack Drees and Jack Whitaker Gil Stratton Jack Whitaker
1964 CBS Bryan Field Jack Drees and Chris Schenkel Jack Whitaker
1963 CBS Bryan Field Jack Drees and Chris Schenkel Eddie Arcaro Jack Drees
1962 CBS Bryan Field Chris Schenkel Don Ameche Gil Stratton Chris Schenkel
1961 CBS[29] Bryan Field[29] Chris Schenkel[29] Chris Schenkel[29]
1960 CBS Fred Capossela Chris Schenkel, Bryan Field, and Bud Palmer[30] Chris Schenkel
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1950s

More information Year, Network ...
Year Network Race caller Color commentator Reporters Trophy Presentation
1959 CBS[31] Fred Capossela[31] Bryan Field and Chris Schenkel[31] Chris Schenkel
1958 CBS Fred Capossela Bryan Field
1957 CBS[32] Fred Capossela[32] Bryan Field[32]
1956 CBS[33] Fred Capossela[33] Bryan Field[33]
1955 CBS[34] Fred Capossela[34] Phil Sutterfield and Win Elliot[34]
1954 CBS[35] Bryan Field Mel Allen[35] Bill Corum[35]
1953 CBS[36] Bryan Field[36] Mel Allen[36] Phil Sutterfield[36] Phil Sutterfield[36]
1952 CBS[37] Bryan Field[37] Sam Renick[37] Pete French[38]
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See also

References

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