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.
What channel shows the Kentucky Derby?
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will air on NBC and stream 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 | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon | $69.00–$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. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans 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.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby for free
†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. But we won’t know the exact lineup of horses until after the Post Position Draw on Saturday, April 27.
In the meantime, here’s a list of 26 possible contenders based on the Road to the Kentucky Derby rankings.
| Rank | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Leone | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad Brown |
| 2 | Fierceness | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 3 | Catching Freedom | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox |
| 4 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Phil D'Amato |
| 5 | Resilience | TBD | Bill Mott |
| 6 | Forever Young | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi |
| 7 | Endlessly | TBD | Michael McCarthy |
| 8 | Dornoch | Luis Saez | Danny Gargan |
| 9 | Just a Touch | TBD | Brad Cox |
| 10 | Track Phantom | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen |
| 11 | West Saratoga | Jesús Castañón | Larry Demeritte |
| 12 | Just Steel | Keith Asmussen | Wayne Lukas |
| 13 | Honor Marie | Ben Curtis | Whit Beckman |
| 14 | Domestic Product | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad Brown |
| 15 | Catalytic | José Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 16 | Society Man | Frankie Dettori | Danny Gargan |
| 17 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek |
| 18 | Encino | TBD | Brad Cox |
| 19 | Grand Mo the First | Emisael Jaramillo | Victor Barboza Jr. |
| 20 | T O Password | Kimura Kazushi | Daisuke Takayanagi |
| 21 | Epic Ride | TBD | John Ennis |
| 22 | Uncle Heavy | TBD | Robert E. Reid Jr. |
| 23 | Seize the Grey | TBD | Wayne Lukas |
| 24 | Le Dom Bro | TBD | Eniel Cordero |
| 25 | Tuscan Gold | TBD | Chad Brown |
| 26 | Protective | TBD | Todd Pletcher |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby FAQ
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.
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.
