NBC Sports will showcase the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced today by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN, “CDI”) and NBC Sports. The 152 nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring thoroughbred racing’s best three-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Kentucky Oaks Broadcast Moved To Primetime On NBC originally appeared on Paulick Report. NBC Sports will showcase the Longines Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced July 24 by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN,

Churchill Downs Inc. announced the Kentucky Oaks will for the first time ever be presented in prime time on NBC in 2026. This comes following a 151st Kentucky Derby that drew in a record average viewership with nearly 18 million viewers, up 6% from the previous year, the company revealed in a quarterly earnings report July 23.

The new role will have minimal effect on his gig as the primary game analyst on NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics broadcasts.

In the wake spinning off much of its cable assets in a new company, NBCUniversal is considering launching a new cable sports channel, according to media reports. While the move has not yet been made official by NBCUniversal,

NBCUniversal, which shuttered NBC Sports Network in 2021, is considering launching a sports-focused cable channel that would carry programming available on streaming service Peacock. The venture is being discussed but is not certain to move forward,