Put on your most extravagant hat because the 2025 Kentucky Derby takes over Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3.
The 151st Run for the Roses kicks off another thrilling Triple Crown series. But if you can’t make the journey to Louisville, don’t gallop off just yet. NBC and Peacock have your back with live TV coverage of the main event.
This year’s field is already shaping up to be a classic. Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is the morning-line favorite, while Sovereignty and Sandman are hot on his hooves. Of course, scratches and surprises are all part of the ride, so expect the unexpected when the gates fly open.
Keep scrolling for a full rundown of the Kentucky Derby schedule, streaming options, and TV provider recommendations.
What TV channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will air live on NBC and Peacock, with UNIVERSO carrying Spanish-language coverage.
Additional equestrian coverage is available on CNBC and USA Network, including Road to the Kentucky Derby races. And if you’re a diehard racing or betting fan, you’ll also want FanDuel TV, FS1, and FS2 for their comprehensive Derby Week programs.
Pro tip: Sirius XM subscribers can listen to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Radio (ch. 85).
2025 Kentucky Derby TV schedule
The Kentucky Derby is usually held on the first Saturday in May. This year follows that trend, with the 2025 Derby Day happening on Saturday, May 3. But there’s a lot more coverage to follow than just the main event.
In the table below, I’ve compiled the Derby Week TV schedule so you can stay up on everything surrounding the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw | Saturday, April 26 | 7:00 p.m. | YouTube |
| Thurby coverage | Thursday, May 1 | 11:00 a.m. | FanDuel TV |
| Kentucky Oaks early coverage | Friday, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. | FanDuel TV |
| 151st Kentucky Oaks | Friday, May 2 |
1:00 p.m. (post time at 5:51 p.m.) |
USA Network, Peacock |
| Kentucky Derby prep races | Saturday, May 3 | Noon | USA Network, Peacock |
| 151st Kentucky Derby | Saturday, May 3 |
2:30 p.m. (post time at 6:57 p.m.) |
NBC, Peacock |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Kentucky Derby
Peacock is the best way to watch the Kentucky Derby. It shows the main event and features select prep races, including the Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Santa Anita Derby. Typically, you would need a TV provider with CNBC and USA Network to watch those qualifying events, but Peacock allows you to stream it all for as low as $7.99 a month.
Alternatively, for a more budget-conscious approach, you can use an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to pick up your local NBC station. I actually prefer this method myself because antenna TV has less delay than streaming. However, not everyone has the luxury of living within reliable broadcast range of their local NBC station. You can usually check coverage maps online. For more details on this, check out the Free Viewing Options section below.
Which TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby?
Beyond Peacock, most TV providers show the Kentucky Derby because NBC is a very common channel. But not all services offer CNBC, USA Network, and FanDuel TV for the early prep races and related programming. In the table below, I illustrate which popular TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby channels.
| Provider | Price | NBC* | CNBC | USA Network | FanDuel TV | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — | — | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available in select markets.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby for free
You have a few different options for watching the Kentucky Derby for free. If you’re a streamer, you could try a free trial from a live TV streaming service like Fubo. My Fubo Free Trial guide explains all the ins and outs of signing up and canceling without paying. But what’s most important is that its free trial lasts seven days and includes NBC and USA Network for live Kentucky Derby coverage.
Free race week coverage will also stream on the official Kentucky Derby YouTube channel, but you won’t see the main race on there until after the fact. Either way, it’s a great place to stream past races and behind-the-scenes content.
Another way to watch the Kentucky Derby for free is by tuning in to your local NBC station with a digital antenna. While the antenna itself isn’t free, it’s a cost-effective way to access local channels without a monthly TV subscription.
I recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 for reliable reception. Its 60-mile range and multi-directional design work well in most suburban areas. But you’ll want to verify the ideal antenna range for your home by using the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator. The right location and antenna setup may also give you free access to FOX, which shows the Belmont Stakes in June.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby internationally
Wondering who will broadcast the Kentucky Derby abroad? If you’re outside the U.S., many international broadcasters offer live Derby coverage through various channels and streaming services. HBA Media recently secured several media rights deals for this year’s event, ensuring wide availability.
In regions where no official broadcaster is available, you could try using a VPN to access U.S. coverage securely. Just note that Peacock has pretty strict VPN detection measures, so that method isn’t always reliable.
Below is a quick list of where you can watch the Kentucky Derby on TV in select countries.
Kentucky Derby broadcasters by country
- Brazil (ESPN, Disney+)
- Canada (CityTV)
- Chile (Megamedia)
- Germany (WeDo Sports)
- India (FanCode)
- Ireland (Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing)
- Japan (Netkeiba)
- Netherlands (Viaplay)
- Poland (Polsat)
- United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Media)
- United Kingdom (Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing)
- United States (NBC, Peacock)
What horses are in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will feature a field of 19 horses vying for the first jewel of this year’s Triple Crown. The typical 20-horse gate is smaller this year due to late scratches from Bob Baffert’s Rodriguez and Todd A. Pletcher’s Grande.
Here’s a list of the horses that qualified based on the Road to the Kentucky Derby rankings.
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert |
| 2 | Neoequos | Flavien Prat | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 3 | Final Gambit | Luan Machado | Brad H. Cox |
| SCR | Rodriguez | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert |
| 5 | American Promise | Nik Juarez | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | Christophe Lemaire | Yukihiro Kato |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | João Moreira | Noriyuki Hori |
| 8 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy |
| 9 | Burnham Square | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ian R. Wilkes |
| SCR | Grande | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | Joseph Ramos | Whit Beckman |
| 12 | East Avenue | Manuel Franco | Brendan P. Walsh |
| 13 | Publisher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen |
| 14 | Tiztastic | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen |
| 15 | Render Judgment | Julien Leparoux | Kenneth G. McPeek |
| 16 | Coal Battle | Juan Vargas | Lonnie Briley |
| 17 | Sandman | José Ortiz | Mark E. Casse |
| 18 | Sovereignty | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott |
| 19 | Chunk Of Gold | Jareth Loveberry | Ethan West |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | Javier Castellano | Brian A. Lynch |
| 21 | Baeza | Flavien Prat | John Shirreffs |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby FAQ
When is the Kentucky Derby post time?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 3. While NBC’s core broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m. ET, most of that time is spent profiling the horses and building suspense before the main event.
Can you watch the Kentucky Derby online?
Yes, you can watch the Kentucky Derby online via Peacock or any live TV streaming service that carries NBC. Existing cable and satellite TV subscribers can stream the Kentucky Derby via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
Can you watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock?
No, you can’t watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock. You’ll need one of Peacock’s premium subscription plans (starting at $7.99 a month) to stream live coverage from Churchill Downs. Otherwise, some live TV streaming services offer free trials with NBC access. I recommend checking out Fubo’s seven-day free trial because it’s easy to sign up and cancel.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched and tested the best ways to watch the Kentucky Derby. While we compared derby coverage across 13 popular TV services, we also examined alternative viewing options, such as Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. We based our final recommendations on pricing, ease of use, and Triple Crown coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
