The 152nd Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports is expected to begin around 6:57 p.m. ET, with gates opening at 9 a.m. ET and the first race set for 11 a.m. ET.
Coverage begins earlier in the day, with NBC Sports live coverage starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Peacock before shifting into the main NBC broadcast window later in the afternoon. Tune in to live Derby coverage from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Peacock — Best Standalone Streaming Option
- Starting Price: $7.99 per month | Get Peacock with 1-year of Walmart+ for $98
- What you get: Peacock packs the NBCUniversal catalog and originals into an easy-to-use app. The direct-to-consumer app features local NBC broadcasts, live sports, 80,000+ hours of on-demand movies, shows, and originals, and 50+ always-on channels. Peacock offers three tiers: Peacock Select ($7.99)(no sports), Peacock Premium ($10.99), and Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99). Additionally, you can bundle Peacock with Apple TV starting at $14.99 per month.
- Best for: On-demand viewers who want movies, originals, live sports, news, and other NBCU-exclusive content.
YouTube TV — Complete Channel Lineup + Clean Interface
- Starting Price: $62.99 for the first 5 months ($82.99 per month after that) | Try YouTube for Free & Save Up to $75 on the First 5 Months
- What you get: YouTube TV has 100+ live channels, including NBCU favorites. Stream USA Network, NBC local, Bravo, Golf Channel, MS NOW, E!, and other top networks. Plus, YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR, Multiview, and upgradeable premium add-ons for a customized viewing experience.
- Best for: YouTube TV offers a simple interface and an expansive lineup of live channels and state-of-the-art features.
Hulu + Live TV — NBC Favorites + Disney Bundles
- Starting Price: $89.99 per month after | Try Hulu + Live TV for 3 Days Free
- What you get: Hulu + Live TV has a lineup of 95+ live channels and carries the core Disney bundle. The Disney-owned platform includes top NBCU networks like NBC, MS Now, USA Network, Bravo, Golf Channel, among others, and you have thousands of hours of on-demand content. Hulu + Live TV includes access to the ESPN app, the on-demand libraries of Hulu and Disney+, and unlimited DVR for no additional charge.
- Best for: Viewers who want to enjoy live NBCU content and Disney favorites live and on demand.
DIRECTV Broad Channel Coverage, RSNs, & Skinny Bundles
- Starting Price: Genre Packs $19.99 per month | Signature Streaming Packages: $49.99 first month ($89.99 per month after)
- Free Trial: Try DIRECTV for 5 Days Free Today
- What you get: DIRECTV carries a full suite of NBCUniversal networks, and it has available bundles that feature Disney+ and Hulu for more on-demand content. It also offers strong local channel pickup in many areas, which helps if you need NBC-affiliate news and live sports. DIRECTV offers a more traditional cable-like package and channel lineup (Streaming Package with up to 150+ channels), but you can choose a skinny-bundle (Genre Package with up to 60+ channels) for a more personalized experience. Plus, it has a broad lineup of RSNs for local sports and an included unlimited DVR to record and rewatch your favorites.
- Best for: Viewers who prioritize dependable local channel access, NBC-owned networks, RSNs, and want a cable-like channel lineup.
Sling TV — Cheaper, More Flexible Option
- Starting Price: $4.99 (Day Pass), $9.99 (Weekend Pass), $14.99 (Week Pass), $45.99 (Monthly Pass), $115 (3-Month Prepay) | Save with Sling TV Today
- What you get: Sling offers NBCU programming and flexible subscription options, ranging from daily to seasonal. The streamer offers NBC (in select markets), USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MS Now, E!, Golf Channel, and other networks (30–45+ channels), at various price points, with 50 hours of DVR included in each plan. Sling remains a lower-cost, customizable option if you only need sports plus select Disney channels, and you can add unlimited DVR for $5 per month.
- Best for: Budget-minded viewers who want NBCUniversal content with a lighter channel slate.
Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby for Free
If you have a digital antenna, you can watch the Kentucky Derby live for free on NBC in most areas. Since NBC is a local broadcast channel, all you need is a good signal to tune in, and there’s no subscription required. This is the cheapest way to watch the Derby, especially if you already own an antenna. Just make sure your antenna can pick up your local NBC affiliate, and you’ll be set for race day coverage, including the 6:57 p.m. ET post time.
Don’t have an antenna? Use a site like Antennas Direct to find your local NBC affiliate and which antenna is the right fit for you.