NBC has secured multiyear rights to the Breeders’ Cup, horse racing’s biggest day.
ESPN and ABC have telecast the Breeders’ Cup since 2006, but the Peacock – looking to build up a portfolio of live events for its cabler NBC Sports Network – grabbed it back. Pact is for four years, but the cost of the deal is undisclosed.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup takes place Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in Southern California. NBC Sports Network will telecast the majority of racing over those two days with the Peacock offering inaugural primetime coverage at 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
After strong ratings in 2010 when super filly Zenyatta won the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, last year’s numbers fell without the lure of a wildly popular horse.
NBC is also the home to racing’s Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
