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NBC adds NASCAR personality, new cameras to Derby coverage

Wood
Coming off record horse racing television ratings in the wake of the first Triple Crown in 37 years, NBC will add more and better cameras to its Kentucky Derby coverage and NASCAR reporter Rutledge Wood to its talent lineup.

This year’s race, to be run Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, will be covered by 53 cameras, more than ever before, said Rob Hyland, producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage. They’ll include a 360-degree robotic camera in the infield and a helmet camera on the outrider who will escort the winning horse and jockey to the winner’s circle after the race.

The network also will work through social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook to show Kentucky Derby parties across America on the telecast. Wood’s role, both on the network and on social media, will provide fans with a first-person look during his first trip to the event, Hyland said.

“Rutledge is a real personality who is a lot of fun,” said Jon Miller, NBC Sports Group’s president of programming. “He will really bring an everyman feel to it and really let people know how cool it is to be there on Derby weekend.”

It’s not the first time NBC has brought in a reporter from another sport to cover the Derby. Olympic figure skating analysts Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski will serve as fashion and lifestyle experts for the Derby for the third year, and hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk will be a handicapping expert for the second year.

Last year’s Kentucky Derby drew 16 million viewers, making it the most watched program on television in the month of May. That was before American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in June at the Belmont Stakes, and there has been an uptick in horse racing’s TV numbers since then.

Miller said the end of a 37-year drought without a Triple Crown winner can only help boost viewership.

“I think one of the benefits we have now is we have shown you can have a Triple Crown,” Miller said. “For years people said it was impossible to have a Triple Crown because of the timing [of the three races] and how much pressure it puts on the horse. Well, if you have a super horse and a super trainer like you did with Bob Baffert (see story, Page 30) … you can definitely have a Triple Crown.”

NBC and NBCSN will broadcast 16 hours of Kentucky Derby weekend coverage, including a three-hour show on NBC from 4 to 7 p.m. ET Saturday. Post time is 6:34 p.m.


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