Edited press release
NBC Sports announced April 7 it has added 30 minutes of coverage to its broadcast of the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) from Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3. Expanded coverage -- 2 1/2 hours in total -- will start at 4 p.m. ET with "Access at the Derby" which includes the "Kentucky Derby Red Carpet Show presented by Head and Shoulders."
"Access at the Kentucky Derby" is the viewer's backstage pass to the greatest day in Horse Racing. "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush joins the NBC Sports' racing team to bring viewers behind-the-scenes access to the famous parties, celebrities and fashion surrounding the "Run for the Roses." The Red Carpet Show will feature celebrity interviews as the stars arrive to Churchill Downs to enjoy the greatest day in Horse Racing.
At 5 p.m. ET, NBC Sports race coverage begins with Tom Hammond and Bob Costas co-hosting the Derby alongside three-time Derby winner Gary Stevens. NBC Sports' broadcast team also includes race-caller Tom Durkin; contributing analysts Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton Brothers, who retired in 1998 after an 11-year career as a jockey. The Kentucky Derby on NBC is produced by Sam Flood and directed by David Michaels.
NBC Sports began its exclusive coverage of the Kentucky Derby, the longest continuously held sporting event in North America, in 2001. It previously was broadcast by ABC. In May 2005, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs Incorporated reached an agreement giving the network the exclusive broadcast rights to the Kentucky Derby beginning in 2006 and continuing through 2010. NBC's coverage of the 2007 Kentucky Derby (5-6:42 p.m. ET) grabbed 11.5 million viewers, its best delivery in six years.
KENTUCKY DERBY ON NBCSPORTS.COM: The Kentucky Derby "Red Carpet Special presented by Head and Shoulders" will be simulcast on NBCSports.com. Immediately following the race broadcast on NBC, viewers can go to NBCSports.com and see race replays, including a start-to-finish isolation camera on the Derby winner.
SEE THE DERBY ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE: Additionally, users on the go can watch the Kentucky Derby live on their mobile phones through NBC2Go.
LUCKY U INTERACTIVE GAME: NBC Sports and Churchill Downs are joining together to present The Kentucky Derby Lucky U Game, a contest where a lucky fan can win a cash prize and a trip to the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Once the field for the Derby is set on Wednesday, April 30, horse racing fans will be able to vote for the horse that they think will win. The winner will receive $10,000 in cash and a 2009 Kentucky Derby VIP Experience provided by Churchill Downs, including tickets to the Derby and other Churchill Downs events, round-trip transportation, and accommodations. Viewers of NBC's Kentucky Derby broadcast and other horse racing fans will be invited to enter by sending a text message for their choice from their cell phone. Standard text messaging charges apply. Fans can also enter by going online to NBCSports.com.
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD'S KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE: In the week leading up to the Derby, "Access Hollywood" will check in at the legendary pre-Derby parties and talk to celebrities attending the Derby on their preparations and why the Kentucky Derby is so special.
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