NBC has secured the US television rights to the Belmont Stakes until 2015. The deal will see America’s Triple Crown broadcasts all on the same network for the first time since 2005. NBC also holds the rights to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness until 2015.
NBC-owned cable channel Versus will carry the Friday races for the events, including the Kentucky Oaks for three-year-old fillies. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dick Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Sports, said: “Everyone at NBC Sports Group is delighted that the Triple Crown has been reassembled. We are now uniquely positioned to significantly expand the reach of these iconic events with extensive coverage on Versus.”
NYRA chairman C. Steve Ducker added: “We are thrilled to return our premier race to NBC Sports. They have done a terrific job covering horse racing, including their Kentucky Derby and the Preakness broadcasts over the prior decade. With an excellent production team that has pioneered innovative camera angles, and a tremendous group of on-air talent that offers unique insights into the races, NBC Sports will be a great partner for the Belmont Stakes.”
The last Belmont Stakes to be broadcast on NBC was watched by 21.9 million Americans – then a 27-year high – but last year’s race was seen by just 4.7 million on Disney-owned ABC.
The 143rd edition of the US$1 million race will be run on 11th June.
