Kentucky Derby Radio Station and Broadcast Details

AvatarByMatthew Yates Radio Broadcasting & Stations

Channel 85 on SiriusXM carries NBC Sports Audio for the 2026 Kentucky Derby radio broadcast on Saturday, May 2. The scheduled Derby audio window is 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, while SiriusXM’s official live coverage begins at 5 p.m. ET and the scheduled post time is 6:57 p.m. ET. You can listen on a SiriusXM satellite radio or in the SiriusXM app.

Use this quick guide to choose the right feed and decide when to tune in.

What You Want to Hear Where to Listen When to Tune In
Full Kentucky Derby audio window NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
Pre-Derby talk and analysis NBC Sports Radio on SiriusXM Channel 85 The all-day special begins at 10 a.m. ET
Pre-race show from Churchill Downs NBC Sports Radio on SiriusXM Channel 85 2 p.m. ET
Live race coverage NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85 Official coverage begins at 5 p.m. ET; post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET
Alternative SiriusXM race feed Mad Dog Sports Radio, Channel 82 During the race broadcast
Listening without a satellite receiver SiriusXM app Use the NBC Sports Radio feed

Kentucky Derby Radio Broadcast for 2026

The national radio destination for the 152nd Kentucky Derby is NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85. The channel may be listed as NBC Sports Radio in the SiriusXM app and programming information, but it is the same Channel 85 feed for Derby coverage.

This is a satellite-radio and streaming broadcast, not a single local radio station frequency. That distinction matters when listening from outside Louisville or searching an AM/FM dial.

Channel 85 carries pre-race programming and live race coverage.

How to Listen to the Kentucky Derby on Radio

Listen on SiriusXM Channel 85 or NBC Sports Radio for Derby-day programs, pre-race coverage, and the live Kentucky Derby call.

Step 1: Choose a SiriusXM Receiver or the App

  1. On a SiriusXM-equipped car radio, home receiver, or portable satellite receiver, select Channel 85.
  2. If you are listening on a phone, tablet, computer, or smart device, open the SiriusXM app and select NBC Sports Radio.
  3. Start the stream or radio feed before the race coverage begins so you are already connected when the Derby broadcast starts.

The SiriusXM app is the practical choice if you do not have a satellite radio receiver.

Step 2: Tune In for the Part of Derby Day You Want

There are several useful start times because the channel carries different Derby-day programs.

  1. Turn on Channel 85 at 10 a.m. ET if you want the four-hour pre-Derby edition of Down the Stretch.
  2. Join at 2 p.m. ET for the pre-race show from Churchill Downs.
  3. Be listening by 2:30 p.m. ET if you want the full scheduled Kentucky Derby audio window.
  4. Join no later than 5 p.m. ET for SiriusXM’s official live Derby coverage.
  5. Have the broadcast playing well before the scheduled 6:57 p.m. ET post time if your main goal is hearing the race itself.

The earlier programming is useful for hearing handicapping discussion, race-day updates, interviews, and the buildup from Churchill Downs. The later portion is the one to prioritize if you only want the live “Run for the Roses” call.

Step 3: Confirm You Have the Live Derby Feed

Before race time, make sure the display or app identifies the channel as NBC Sports Radio or NBC Sports Audio. You should hear Derby-focused programming rather than a local station’s regular talk show, music playlist, or unrelated sports coverage.

If you are streaming, keep your device connected to a reliable internet source and make sure the app is signed in before the important coverage begins. If you are using satellite radio, move to a location where your receiver has a clear enough signal to maintain playback.

Alternative SiriusXM Channel for the Race

Mad Dog Sports Radio on SiriusXM Channel 82 is scheduled to simulcast the Kentucky Derby race broadcast. It is a helpful fallback if Channel 85 is unavailable on the device you are using or if you already listen to Mad Dog Sports Radio.

Why an AM/FM Radio May Not Work

A conventional AM/FM radio cannot receive SiriusXM’s satellite channels.

Check Your Listening Setup Before Race Time

Use this short check:

  • Confirm that you are listening on Saturday, May 2.
  • Select NBC Sports Radio or NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85.
  • Open the SiriusXM app early if you are streaming, rather than waiting until the horses approach the starting gate.
  • If you prefer the alternate race simulcast, select Mad Dog Sports Radio on Channel 82.
  • Keep audio volume low enough to hear the announcers clearly but high enough to catch updates during the pre-race coverage.

The most dependable approach is to leave the feed running through the Derby call and immediate post-race coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to the Kentucky Derby without a satellite radio?

Yes. The Kentucky Derby broadcast is available through the SiriusXM app on a smart device without a satellite receiver. The SiriusXM app carries the NBC Sports Radio feed on a smart device, so you can listen without a satellite receiver. You will need access to SiriusXM through the app and an internet connection.

What time is the Kentucky Derby post time?

The scheduled post time is 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2. Start your audio feed earlier because pre-race coverage, introductions, and possible schedule changes happen before the horses leave the gate.

Is the Kentucky Derby on regular AM or FM radio?

The announced national radio broadcast is not identified by an AM or FM frequency. It is on SiriusXM Channel 85 and available through the SiriusXM app, so an ordinary AM/FM receiver alone will not receive it.

What network carries the Kentucky Derby?

NBC carries the national television broadcast, with streaming on Peacock. For audio, the national SiriusXM broadcast is NBC Sports Audio/NBC Sports Radio.

Is the Kentucky Derby available in the SiriusXM app?

Yes. You can use the SiriusXM app on a smart device to hear the live Kentucky Derby broadcast. SiriusXM lists NBC Sports Radio on its app as a way to hear the live Kentucky Derby broadcast. The SiriusXM Derby listening page also lists the scheduled race post time and confirms that the app can be used with a smart device.

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Matthew Yates

Matthew Yates is the voice behind Earth Repair Radio, a site dedicated to making the world of radio clear and approachable. His journey began through community service and emergency broadcasting, where he learned how vital reliable communication can be when other systems fail. With vocational training in communications and years of hands on experience,

Matthew combines technical know how with a gift for simplifying complex ideas. From car radios to ham licensing and modern subscription services, he writes with clarity and warmth, helping readers understand radio not as jargon, but as a living connection in everyday life.