Josh Elliott’s Kentucky Derby Debut ‘Is a Great Way to Expose Him to a Large Audience,’ Says NBC Sports

After his high-profile move from Good Morning America to NBC Sports, Josh Elliott will make his debut on May 3 covering the Kentucky Derby, one of the highest-rated sporting events of the year.

“He is a real talent, and we are happy to have him as part of the NBC Sports family, and are beginning to look for ways for him to be used,” John Miller, chief marketing officer, NBC Sports Group, tells The Hollywood Reporter.

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“He can do a mix of features, and it is our desire to expose him to a large crowd.

“The Kentucky Derby will be the highest-rated sporting event in the second quarter for the network,” explains Miller, with last year’s race pulling in 16.2 million viewers, making it the second-most watched in a quarter of a century.

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“To expose him in that property is a great way to debut him as a NBC Sports personality. 

“He will be there to talk about the event and do features, and talk about the horses. It is a great way to get him on board, expose him to the public and utilize his charm while at the Derby,” said Miller.

“We are glad to have to him. The next events [for Elliott] are going to be the Preakness Stakes and then the French Open.”

The Derby will be the first of what is building up to a busy spring and summer of sports for Elliott. “We have what we call the ‘NBC Sports championship season’ coming up,” says Miller, with nine championships rolling out in this period of time, which Josh is expected to be a major part of moving forward. 

expectations,” wrote ABC News president Ben Sherwood in a staff memo. “]

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