The 2025 Preakness Stakes has already concluded. The 150th running took place on May 17, 2025, with the main broadcast on NBC and Peacock at 4:00 p.m. ET. This archival guide explains the original legal viewing options and does not imply that the race is still available as a live stream.
The 150th Preakness Stakes was held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, so it is no longer available as a live event. The original U.S. broadcast began at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC and Peacock, with earlier prep-race coverage from 2:00 p.m. on CNBC and Peacock. Journalism won the race.
This page is therefore an archival viewing guide. It explains how viewers could legally watch the 2025 race, what “free” meant, which devices were supported, and where the event stood after the broadcast. It does not promise that the old livestream or replay remains available.
How the 2025 Preakness Stakes was broadcast
| Coverage | Date and time | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Preakness prep races | Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. ET | CNBC and Peacock |
| Main Preakness Stakes broadcast | Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. ET | NBC and Peacock |
| NBC national coverage window | 4:00–7:30 p.m. ET | NBC |
| Black-Eyed Susan coverage | Friday, May 16, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. ET | Peacock |
NBC Sports also described full-day Preakness coverage on FanDuel TV and HIPICA. The specific schedule above covers the main NBC broadcast and the prep-race window most viewers were looking for. NBC Sports’ original announcement has the historical broadcast details.
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What the “free” option actually was
For a genuinely free legal way to watch the NBC broadcast, a U.S. viewer needed to receive a local NBC affiliate over the air with a suitable antenna. This did not require a streaming subscription, but it was subject to local availability and reception conditions.
An indoor HDTV antenna was the most relevant equipment option for someone who wanted to watch the NBC broadcast without adding a pay-TV service. However, an antenna did not guarantee reception. Results depended on the viewer’s address, distance from the NBC transmitter, terrain, buildings, interference, and whether the local NBC affiliate’s signal reached the home. The FCC explains the rules for free over-the-air television in its consumer broadcast guidance.
If a television had previously lost a local station or if the station had changed frequencies, the viewer might have needed to run the television’s channel scan again. An antenna could receive the local NBC broadcast; it could not provide access to Peacock and could not substitute for an authenticated streaming account.
How to check the over-the-air route
- Confirm that an NBC affiliate serves your address.
- Connect the antenna to the television’s antenna or RF input.
- Open the television’s channel settings and run an automatic channel scan.
- Look for the local NBC channel and check picture and sound quality before the event.
- If reception is weak, try a different indoor position, preferably near a window and away from large metal objects. A stronger antenna or outdoor installation might be necessary in some locations.
Receiving NBC over the air was the only clearly documented no-subscription route in the 2025 viewing information. It should not be confused with an unrestricted free internet livestream.
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Could you stream the Preakness Stakes online?
Yes. Peacock was the principal internet-streaming destination announced for the 2025 Preakness Stakes, and NBC carried the main broadcast. A viewer with an eligible Peacock plan could use Peacock during the event window.
The available research does not establish that Peacock offered a free tier, a free trial, or a special free Preakness promotion on May 17, 2025. Peacock’s current sports information presents live sports and events as part of paid plans, but current pricing or plan availability should not be treated as proof of what was offered during the 2025 race.
The NBC website and NBC apps were also not an unrestricted free livestream. NBC’s apps may be free to download or use for some content, but live NBC programming generally required authorization through a participating television provider. Availability could vary according to the provider, local NBC station, geographic location, and programming rights. See NBC’s explanation of free NBC sites and apps and its NBC live-stream authorization requirements.
How to watch NBC or Peacock on a television
NBC documented app support for web browsers, phones, tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung televisions, VIZIO televisions, Xbox, and other platforms. Device compatibility did not mean that the live stream was free or that it bypassed authentication.
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A streaming device such as a Fire TV Stick, Roku, or Apple TV could have made it easier to watch Peacock or the NBC app on a television. The device itself supplied neither the NBC broadcast nor the required account authorization.
If the NBC stream would not play
- Check that your television provider carried the local NBC station in your market.
- Confirm that the billing address on the provider account was inside the service’s local viewing area.
- Sign out of the NBC app and link it again to the correct provider account.
- Check whether your provider required periodic relinking; NBC says some providers do.
- Update the app and device software, then restart the streaming device and home network.
- Remember that a VPN or an out-of-market location could interfere with local-station and rights checks.
What happened in the 2025 Preakness?
Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17, 2025. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism completed the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:55.47.
The official result identifies the race as a $2 million Grade I event. The Preakness result report contains the official winner and race details.
Can you still watch a replay?
Replay availability is not established by the information used for this archival guide. NBC, Peacock, the Preakness website, and other rights holders may change or remove archived video after an event. Check the official Preakness and NBC/Peacock pages rather than relying on an old search result that still uses the phrase “livestream free.”
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Be cautious with websites promising a free Preakness stream after the event. Unofficial streams may infringe copyright, disappear without warning, expose viewers to malicious advertising, or request unnecessary payment and account information. This guide does not link to illegal streams.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line for the original 2025 viewing question
On May 17, 2025, the main Preakness Stakes broadcast was on NBC and Peacock from 4:00 p.m. ET, with prep races beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock. The legitimate no-subscription option was local NBC reception with an antenna, where available. Online NBC streaming generally required a participating TV-provider login, while Peacock access depended on an eligible plan. The race has now concluded, and Journalism was the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still watch the Preakness Stakes 2025 live?
No. The 150th Preakness Stakes took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, and is no longer a live event. An official replay may or may not remain available through the rights holders.
What time did the 2025 Preakness Stakes start?
The main broadcast began at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC and Peacock. Prep-race coverage began at 2:00 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock.
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Was there a free legal way to watch the 2025 Preakness online?
The clearly documented free legal option was local NBC reception over the air with a suitable antenna, assuming the viewer could receive an NBC affiliate. The NBC website and app were not documented as unrestricted free livestreams.
Who won the 2025 Preakness Stakes?
Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes, ridden by Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy. The winning time was 1:55.47.
The Bottom Line
2025 was an archival event, not a current livestream. The race aired on NBC and Peacock at 4:00 p.m. ET on May 17, 2025. The only clearly documented free legal route was receiving a local NBC affiliate over the air with an antenna; online NBC streaming required participating TV-provider authorization, and no free Peacock offer was verified.
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