This from John Clarke Jr. of Variety:
Net’s special coverage, which kicks off Saturday at 1:30 p.m., will look at the parties, people and fashion surrounding the race. “Access Hollywood” reporter Shaun Robinson will assist NBC Sports.
Separately, “Access Hollywood” will be reporting from Louisville, Ky., all week.“
What exactly will ‘red carpet’ coverage entail for a horse race? The only thing certain is that viewers will not be treated to horses in designer clothing trotting down said red carpet — that is, unless NBC decides to really push the envelope.
The extra attention paid to the Derby is only part of NBC’s attempt to push horse racing further into the mainstream. Possibly bolstered by the injury and subsequent death of Barbaro, which became a national story, the network is making a larger push than usual for its horse racing coverage.
Saturday night, NBC will air a documentary on Barbaro (which was originally scheduled for last Sunday), entitled “Barbaro: A Nation’s Horse“. Combine that with the extra half-hour of coverage, the red carpet treatment, and the fairly ridiculous week long presence of Access Hollywood, and it is clear that NBC is high on horses.
Whether that increased promotion and commitment will translate into higher ratings is not so clear, however. Last year’s Derby drew an 8.4 rating during the race, down 7% from a 9.0 in 2005.
