NBC Accused Of 'Greedy' 2026 Kentucky Oaks Broadcast

The Kentucky Derby is the big one, of course, but Friday night's Kentucky Oaks race is a massive one, too.

The Kentucky Oaks, also held at the iconic Churchill Downs, is exclusively for 3-year-old fillies (females) at 1 and 1/8 miles. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Derby is exclusively for thoroughbreds of any gender, usually at 1 and 1/4 miles.

The Derby has twice the prize money, too, with the winner getting $3 million compared to the Oaks at $1.5 million.

Still, the Oaks is a huge night. However, locals in Louisville are becoming frustrated with NBC, calling the network out for its "greedy" broadcast.

This year was the first year that the Kentucky Oaks ran in primetime on NBC. It typically would run earlier in the evening. However, this year, the starting time was close to 9 p.m. E.T.

That's good for TV ratings, but bad for locals in Louisville, whose businesses often rely on fans of the races heading out to bars, restaurants, etc. That's made more difficult by a later start time.

Fans not happy with NBC, call out 'greedy' broadcast

According to a story ran by the New York Times on Friday, many in Louisville are unhappy with "greedy" NBC.

"They are trying to cut us out of the equation," one local business owner said. "It's terrible for small businesses. The only thing I see is greed."

Locals are accusing NBC of stealing the race away from Louisville.

"Churchill Downs has officially decided the Kentucky Oaks belongs to NBC, not Louisville," another local said.

It's an unfortunate reality.

NBC is of course going to prioritize TV ratings, but it makes sense for those in Louisville to be unhappy with it, too.

Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved