NBC reaches deal to continue broadcasting Preakness

NBC Sports has reached an agreement with the owner of Pimlico Race Course in Maryland that will keep the Preakness Stakes on NBC through at least the next five years, according to the network and racing officials.

The contract for the broadcast rights for the Preakness expired with this year’s running. NBC had already signed long-term extensions with the racetracks hosting the other two legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. With the new Preakness agreement, all three races are assured of remaining on NBC through 2020, and perhaps longer.

NBC officials did not disclose terms of the agreement but characterized it as long term. Last year, the network said it had signed an extension with Churchill Downs that secured the rights to the Derby through 2025.

NBC also holds the broadcast rights to the Breeders’ Cup through 2025.

The Preakness deal also includes the broadcast and multiplatform digital rights to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on the Friday prior to the Preakness and the rights to the undercard races on Preakness Day. Over the last several years, NBC and its sports networks have typically devoted at least six hours to live coverage of each Triple Crown race.