NBC has tapped "SNF" Producer Fred Gaudelli to lead Saturday's Kentucky Derby broadcast, according to Ed DeRosa of the THOROUGHBRED TIMES. Gaudelli's first Derby assignment "comes on the heels of NBC signing five-year agreements" to broadcast all three Triple Crown races. New with Gaudelli are Director Drew Esocoff and on-air talent Randy Moss, Laffit Pincay Jr. and Jay Privman, as well as announcer Larry Collmus. Gaudelli said, "Dick Ebersol asked if we would do the Derby and, obviously, that’s a pretty easy answer." DeRosa reports the "SNF" experience "will play a role in NBC’s social media presence surrounding the Derby, including Kentucky Derby Extra, which is modeled after Sunday Night Football extra." The Kentucky Derby Extra webpage "will feature dedicated Twitter feeds, a community area, and live photo and video updates from Churchill." NBC's family of networks "will have a major presence at Churchill throughout Derby week, including about 11 hours of coverage" on Versus today through Saturday leading up to the Derby broadcast on NBC. Coverage kicks off today at 4:00pm ET on Versus with a “Derby Classics” episode "featuring Smarty Jones’ 2004 victory as a lead up to the Kentucky Derby draw" at 5:00pm. NBC programming such as “Today,” “Access Hollywood" and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” also will be "supporting NBC's promotional efforts" this week, as will CNBC, The Weather Channel, E! and others (THOROUGHBREDTIMES.com, 5/3).
MAKING IT A PRIORITY: NBCUniversal Television Group CMO John Miller indicated that the Derby "has been NBC’s highest rated show in terms of total viewership in the second quarter of each of the last two years." For that reason, and because NBC now airs all three Triple Crown races, NBCU has identified the Derby as a "promotional priority." Miller pointed out that "besides the Olympics, the Derby is the only sporting event that attracts more female viewers than males." The DAILY RACING FORM's David Grening reports as a result, NBC is "doing a lot to promote the fashion, food, and style aspects of the event." The Derby-themed segments on "Today" this week will highlight the "food, fashion, celebrity and entertainment elements of the race." Anchors from the morning show will appear at Churchill Downs beginning tomorrow (DRF.com, 5/2).
