8.5 million watch The Grand National on Channel 4

The Crabbie’s Grand National attracted a peak audience of 8.5 million viewers (56% share of viewing) for the 2014 race broadcast live on Channel 4. The figure made it the most watched television moment across the day on Saturday 5th April 2014.

The 15-minute slot covering the broadcast of the race – won by Pineau De Re - from 4.15pm to 4.30pm was watched by an average of 8.3 million viewers (55% share of viewing) with the live afternoon coverage broadcast across four hours 15 minutes in the afternoon (1.00pm to 5.15pm) attracting an average of 2.8 million, (24% share of viewing).

Channel 4 has broadcast almost 15 hours of live racing coverage across the three day Grand National meeting, alongside a significant range of associated programming including a special edition of Weekend Brunch live from Aintree, an Alan Carr’s Chatty Man Grand National special and two documentaries, Jockey School and How to Win the Grand National – as well as a major marketing campaign.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Sport said:  "The Grand National is one of the nation’s greatest sporting events and I’m delighted that 8.5 million viewers watched Pineau De Re win live on Channel 4.

“For the viewing figures to top eight million for the second year in a row is testament to the quality of the coverage from the Channel 4 Racing team.”

Richard FitzGerald, Chief Executive of Racecourse Media Group, an who led the negotiations around British racing's four-year terrestrial deal with Channel 4 said: "The Crabbie's Grand National is arguably British racing's biggest day in the spotlight so it is very reassuring to see the Channel 4 Racing team deliver another fine broadcast, reflected by a similar audience to 2013’s impressive figures."