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How To Watch the 2024 Kentucky Derby

The most exciting two minutes in sports returns to NBC and Peacock this May. Here’s your complete Kentucky Derby viewing guide.

Put on your most extravagant hat because the 2024 Kentucky Derby takes over Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 4.

The 150th Kentucky Derby kicks off another exciting Triple Crown series. But if you can’t make the journey to Louisville this year, don’t gallop off just yet. NBC and Peacock have you covered with live TV coverage of this year’s finest horse racing.

Keep scrolling for a complete rundown of the Kentucky Derby schedule and TV provider recommendations.

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Prevent streaming lag during the Kentucky Derby

Prepare for race day by entering your zip code below to see the best TV providers in your area.

What TV channel will the Kentucky Derby be on?

The 2024 Kentucky Derby will air live on NBC and stream live on Peacock. Additional equestrian coverage—including Road to the Kentucky Derby races—appears on CNBC and USA Network. FanDuel TV will also show live Derby Week programs, while UNIVERSO will carry Spanish-language coverage.

Pro tip: Sirius XM subscribers can listen to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Audio (ch. 85).

2024 Kentucky Derby TV schedule

The Kentucky Derby is usually held on the first Saturday in May. This year follows that trend, with the 2024 Derby Day happening on Saturday, May 4.

Event Date Time (ET) Channels
Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Saturday, April 27 7:15 p.m. YouTube
Thurby coverage Thursday, May 2 11:00 a.m. FanDuel TV
Kentucky Oaks early coverage Friday, May 3 11:00 a.m. FanDuel TV
150th Kentucky Oaks Friday, May 3 1:00 p.m. USA Network, Peacock
Kentucky Derby early races Saturday, May 4 Noon USA Network, Peacock
150th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 4 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 carries select prep races like the Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby. Usually, 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 $5.99 a month.

Another inexpensive Kentucky Derby viewing method is using an antenna to pick up your local NBC station. While you’ll need to verify your location to ensure NBC is in your area, the one-time purchase lets you watch TV without paying a monthly fee. Check out our free viewing options section below for more information on that.

Which TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby?

Beyond Peacock, most TV providers have Kentucky Derby coverage because NBC, CNBC, and USA Network are common channels. But some services don’t carry the Run for the Roses, as illustrated in our table below.

Provider Price NBC* CNBC USA Network Details
Cox $61.00–$152.00/mo.
Read Cox review
DIRECTV $57.99–$142.99/mo. View plans

Read DIRECTV review
DIRECTV STREAM $69.99–$149.99/mo. View plans

Read DIRECTV STREAM review
DISH $97.99–$147.99/mo. View plans

Read DISH review
Fubo $32.99–$109.99/mo. View plans

Read Fubo review
Hulu + Live TV $81.99–$95.99/mo. View plans

Read Hulu + Live TV review
Optimum $35.00–$125.00/mo. View plans

Read Optimum review
Philo $28.00/mo. View plans

Read Philo review
Sling TV $40.00–$55.00/mo. View plans

Read Sling TV review
Spectrum $40.00–$105.00/mo. Check Availability

Read Spectrum review
Verizon $85.00–$129.00/mo. View plans

Read Verizon Fios review
Vidgo $69.99–$99.99/mo. View plans

Read Vidgo review
Xfinity $20.00–$80.00/mo.
Read Xfinity review
YouTube TV $72.99/mo. View plans

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.

Saddle up with the best TV plan in your area

Enter your zip code below to see your town’s top TV and internet providers.

How to watch the Kentucky Derby for free

Get free local channels
Recommended antenna:
Mohu Leaf 50 ($39.99, one-time purchase)
Kentucky Derby channels:
NBC
Features:
All local broadcast channels

CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $39.99 (as of 4/24/24 10:30 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.

You can watch the Kentucky Derby for free by tuning in to NBC with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. Of course, antennas aren’t free, but they are a great long-term solution to watching local channels without paying a monthly fee.

We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 because its 60-mile range and multi-directional design should pick up your local NBC station. Though, you’ll want to verify that by entering your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.

For more antenna recommendations, check out our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters guide. The right antenna should also set you up with your local FOX station, giving you complete access to every Triple Crown race this year.

What horses are in the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

The 2024 Kentucky Derby will feature 20 horses competing for the first jewel in this year’s Triple Crown. Here’s a list of the horses that qualified based on the Road to the Kentucky Derby rankings.

Swipe Left to See All →
RankHorseJockeyTrainer
1DornochLuis SaezDanny Gargan
2Sierra LeoneTyler GaffalioneChad Brown
3Mystik DanBrian Hernandez Jr.Kenny McPeek
4Catching FreedomFlavien PratBrad Cox
5CatalyticJosé OrtizSaffie Joseph Jr.
6Just SteelKeith AsmussenWayne Lukas
7Honor MarieBen CurtisWhit Beckman
8Just a TouchTBDBrad Cox
9EncinoTBDBrad Cox
10T O PasswordKimura KazushiDaisuke Takayanagi
11Forever YoungRyusei SakaiYoshito Yahagi
12Track PhantomJoel RosarioSteve Asmussen
13West SaratogaJesús CastañónLarry Demeritte
14EndlesslyTBDMichael McCarthy
15Domestic ProductIrad Ortiz Jr.Chad Brown
16Grand Mo the FirstEmisael JaramilloVictor Barboza Jr.
17FiercenessJohn VelazquezTodd Pletcher
18StrongholdAntonio FresuPhil D'Amato
19ResilienceTBDBill Mott
20Society ManFrankie DettoriDanny Gargan

Data effective as of post date.

How to watch the Kentucky Derby FAQ

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 $5.99 a month) to stream live coverage from Churchill Downs.

Is the Triple Crown leaving NBC?

One Triple Crown race won’t be on NBC this year as the Belmont Stakes moved to FOX in 2023. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes will remain on NBC and Peacock.

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 14 popular TV services, we also examined alternate viewing options like 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.

Disclaimer

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Amazon.com price as of 4/24/24 10:30 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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