Look, everyone knows the Kentucky Derby is "the most exciting two minutes in sports." But here's the thing. If you're only tuning in for those two minutes, you're basically showing up to a wedding just to eat a slice of cake and leaving before the dancing starts. You missed the whole point.
The kentucky derby television schedule for 2026 isn't just a two-minute window on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a massive, multi-day media blitz that has undergone some pretty wild changes this year. For the first time ever, we’re seeing a massive shift in how the "fillies' race"—the Kentucky Oaks—is being handled.
If you want to catch the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2026, you need to know where the remote is long before the horses even enter the paddock. NBC is still the king of the castle here, but the way they’re splitting the coverage between cable, broadcast, and streaming is a bit of a moving target.
The Big Shakeup: Friday Night Primetime
Usually, Friday is the "chill" day. You watch the Kentucky Oaks, maybe wear a little pink, and get ready for the big one on Saturday. Not in 2026.
Churchill Downs and NBC Sports decided to throw a curveball. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks is moving to primetime. We’re talking a Friday, May 1, 2026, broadcast at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. This is a massive deal because the Oaks has traditionally been a late-afternoon affair. Now, they're treating it like a Friday night blockbuster.
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Bill Carstanjen, the CEO of Churchill Downs, basically said they wanted to give the Oaks the "national stage it deserves." Translation: The ratings for the Derby are through the roof, so they want to see if they can catch that lightning in a bottle twice by putting the fillies under the lights.
Saturday’s Marathon: The Kentucky Derby Television Schedule
Saturday is when things get truly hectic. If you have a life, clear it. The coverage is essentially a 7.5-hour marathon.
The early bird action starts on USA Network and Peacock at 12:00 p.m. ET. This is for the hardcore fans—the ones who want to see the undercard races and the early track conditions. Then, the baton passes to the main NBC broadcast and Peacock at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Here is how the day roughly breaks down (keep in mind, live TV likes to flex):
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- 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET: Early coverage on USA Network. Expect a lot of fashion segments and "man on the street" interviews while the early races run.
- 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET: The main event on NBC. This is where Mike Tirico and the gang take over.
- Post Time: Usually, the "Run for the Roses" itself happens shortly after 6:45 p.m. ET, but if you aren't seated by 6:30, you're playing a dangerous game with your DVR.
Honestly, the 2025 Derby—won by a horse named Sovereignty—peaked at nearly 22 million viewers. People care about this race more than almost any other sporting event outside of the Super Bowl. If you're trying to stream it, make sure your Wi-Fi isn't acting up, because Peacock will be carrying every single second of that 12.5-hour weekend window.
How to Watch if You’ve Cut the Cord
You don't need a $200 cable bill to see if the favorite actually wins this year. Since the race is on NBC, you've got options.
The most "expert" move? Buy a cheap over-the-air antenna. If you live near a city, you get NBC for free. It’s the highest quality signal because it isn't compressed by a cable provider. Plus, no lag. There is nothing worse than hearing your neighbor scream because the race ended while your stream is still at the top of the stretch.
If you are a streamer, Peacock is the home base. It’s about $8 a month for the Premium tier. You could also use:
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- YouTube TV: Reliable, has NBC in almost every market, but it’s getting pricey.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes NBC and USA, so you get the full Saturday coverage.
- FuboTV: Great if you’re a sports nut, but check if they carry your local NBC affiliate first.
- Sling Blue: This is hit or miss. They carry NBC in select big cities like New York, LA, and Chicago, but if you’re in a smaller market, you might be out of luck.
The "Steve Kornacki" Factor and What to Watch For
One of the best parts of the modern kentucky derby television schedule isn't even the horses—it's the guys at the big board. Steve Kornacki has become a Derby staple. Watching a political data nerd break down betting pools is surprisingly addictive.
And don't forget the audio. If you’re stuck in the car or at a kid's soccer game, NBC Sports Radio (usually on SiriusXM Channel 85) does a full day of coverage. They start a pre-race show around 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, leading right into the call by Larry Collmus.
Actionable Steps for Derby Day 2026
Stop Googling the schedule ten minutes before the race. It never works.
- Test your setup on Friday. Since the Oaks is in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET this year, use that as your "dry run." If Peacock is glitching Friday night, you have 18 hours to fix it before the Derby.
- Download the TwinSpires app. Even if you aren't betting, their live feed is sometimes faster than the TV broadcast for pure track data.
- Set your DVR for the "Post-Race." People always forget this. If there’s a disqualification or an inquiry (remember Maximum Security?), the drama happens after the race. Set your recording to end at least 30 minutes late.
- Check the USA Network transition. If you're watching the early races on Saturday, remember that the channel flips at 2:30 p.m. ET. Don't sit there staring at a rerun of Law & Order wondering where the horses went.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be a massive broadcast event. With the Oaks moving to Friday night and Sovereignty's win last year setting a viewership record, the 2026 television schedule is going to be more packed—and more scrutinized—than ever. Get your snacks ready early.