NBC Takes Eclipse for Live Programming

(from NTRA release)
NBC Sports has won the Eclipse Award for National Television – Live Racing Programming for its production of the 2003 Preakness Stakes, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Jan. 14.

The telecast, produced by David Michaels, aired on May 17 from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. During the network's broadcast of the Preakness Stakes, NBC aired a feature on the "Sackets Six," introducing the audience to the winning owners of Funny Cide, prior to winning the second jewel of the Visa Triple Crown. To date, NBC has won six Eclipse Awards.

"The perfect synchronicity of our team makes it all possible," said Michaels, who produces NBC Sports' Thoroughbred racing coverage. "We are a family having too much fun to call it a real job. Winning the Eclipse Award sends to our group a message that we are on the right track. If ever there was a broadcast dream team, this is it."

Honorable mentions in this category went to TVG and Fox Sports Net 2 telecast of the Hollywood Derby, produced by Tony Allevato, and to NBC Sports for its 2003 Breeders' Cup telecast, David Michaels producer.

MSNBC and ESPN2 shared the Eclipse Award for National Television - Feature. The MSNBC winning program was titled "Thoroughbred: Stable to Stardom." The feature was produced and directed by Dora Militaru and Craig Delaval of Siearra Tango Productions.

ESPN2 won with "Seabiscuit: The Making of the Movie." The producer was Joan Ciampi, giving ESPN its fourth Eclipse Award while MSNBC won for the first time.

Lexington, KY television station WKYT-27 won the Eclipse Award for Local Television. The program, produced and directed by G.D. Hieronymus, was titled "If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Do It." It showcased a day in the life of a Thoroughbred trainer.

Radio stations from Los Angles and Baltimore shared the Eclipse Award for Audio/Multi-Media Internet coverage. KSPN Radio in Los Angeles won with the program "56th Birthday Tribute to Laffit Pincay Jr." The co- producers were Kip Hannan and Vic Stauffer. This is Stauffer's second Eclipse Award and the station's first.

Baltimore's WBAL won with "Pimlico's Homestretch?" The program aired on May 17 and focused on the historic track's problems and issues. This is the sixth Eclipse Award for the radio station. The program was produced by Mark Miller.

The 2003 Eclipse Awards will be held January 26, 2004 at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Fla.