Belmont’s betting on 152 will not be like before. This includes on television.
NBC Sports will not only broadcast fanless and shorter races, but will do it with about a quarter of its own cameras compared to last year. It will also have four regular staff working at the event.
But the main horse racing producer, Rob Hyland, vowed the production would look and sound as good as ever thanks to teamwork with the New York Racing Association and innovation.
Belmont is superior to the third among the Triple Crown race because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Basically, this is the biggest sporting event in four months,” said NBC host Mike Tirico.
Tirico and analyst Randy Moss will be in the Stamford network studio, Conn., As part of a production that will differ in scope, but which according to NBC will look the same.
Let’s see what you will see and how NBC will do it.
Fewer cameras, looks the same
Hyland usually has 25 NBC cameras of its own for the event, but instead will have seven. The network will use 24 NYRA cameras in place to fill in some blanks. Plus, it will use a helicopter for an overhead view.
“The actual coverage of a sporting event shouldn’t look different,” Hyland said.
Mic up
NBC plans to place microphones on three jockeys on race day.
The NYRA Outrider will use a high-power microphone and radio that will have broadcasts. That will allow broadcasters to talk to the winning jockey immediately after the race.
Without 90,000 screaming fans, Hyland believes the sound of the race will really improve broadcasts.
Social distance interview
Reporters Britney Eurton and Kenny Rice will attend. They will conduct interviews using a 6 foot boom microphone, which will respect social distance and can still transmit audio.
There will also be six microphones around the venue, including in the paddock, where NBC will be able to conduct interviews.
Virtual parties
Racing contests are at the event, and therefore NBC has partnered with Breeders Cup and America’s Best Racing to create virtual watch parties throughout the country. They will be integrated into the show. The network will also have access to the main horse owner.
Call
Larry Collmus will be the 10th time. Will he be affected by lack of fans?
“I thought about that before, I don’t think so,” Collmus said. “The main difference is before the race when you hear the crowd.”
Collmus will call the race from a closer view. Instead of the level of the press box, he will be closer on the third floor in the stands.
“That would be rather neat,” Collmus said.
Song announcer John Imbriale will still make his call, but NBC and NYRA are working to ensure that without the crowd Imbriale does not dampen Collmus.
Defective
The race will be 1 ¹ / ₈ miles compared to 1 ½ miles. Eddie Olczyk’s handicapper will be located in his basement in Chicago.
Less is more
NBC said it would have a total of 50 people working at Belmont Bets compared to 200 years ago. This could be one of the enduring effects of a pandemic on sports TV production because it is likely that there will be fewer people, especially on location, moving forward.
