Channel 4 wins racing rights from BBC

Channel 4 can now add what are seen as the “crown jewels of the sport” to their schedule after winning the bidding rights to expand its current portfolio.

The BBC has shown just 13 days of live racing since 2010 and has now relinquished all of its live televised interest in the sport due to reported budgetary cuts.

Instead, BBC funds will be directed towards retaining events such as the Six Nations rugby union and Formula One, which they now share with Sky.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4 sports editor, said: “I am delighted Channel 4’s 28-year association with racing has now arrived at the point where the industry has demonstrated such confidence in our ability to showcase its complete portfolio.

“This is an opportunity for us to work together to grow the sport, painting the full picture of both the flat and jumps seasons to attract new viewers whilst rewarding those loyal viewers we value so highly.

“Channel 4 fully understands the heritage and cultural importance of British racing, but also the sport’s thirst for a bright future, and we relish the challenge ahead.”

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‘Great opportunity’

Richard FitzGerald, chief executive of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), who headed Channel 4 racing’s negotiating team, added: “Channel 4 has shown a total commitment to our sport.

“This new deal will not only deliver increased revenues for British racing, but with all of our sport’s crown jewels in its portfolio, Channel 4 offers a compelling vision to innovate the way racing is broadcast.

“They have also committed to use diverse programming platforms to promote our sport more widely. This is a great opportunity for racing in the long-term.

“The BBC has been a fantastic partner for British racing and helped the sport to grow its attendances and TV audience in recent times.

We are of course disappointed that we have lost the rights, but we are pleased that all the races in the contract remain free to air. BBC

“We look forward to continuing to work together through radio, online and TV news coverage over the next four years until the next TV negotiation period.”

The deal means British Champions Day at Ascot, the culmination of the season-long British Champions Series, will also feature on Channel 4 for the first time.

The BBC said it was “disappointed” to lose the televised rights, but still looked forward to its coverage in what is Diamond Jubilee year for the Queen.

A statement from the BBC read: “The BBC are proud of their long heritage of broadcasting horse racing and did put in as competitive a bid as possible in the current climate.

“We are of course disappointed that we have lost the rights, but we are pleased that all the races in the contract remain free to air.

“We of course still look forward to broadcasting the Grand National next month and then of course the Derby and Royal Ascot which have special significance in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.”