ITV pens three-year extension to horseracing TV deal until 2026
Commercial broadcaster retains exclusive, free-to-air rights for the sport as it hails soaring viewing figures since 2017
ITV has agreed a new three-year deal to show exclusive, free-to-air coverage of UK horseracing until the end of 2026.
The new extension to the deal will extend the commercial broadcaster’s horseracing coverage to a decade, with the current contract beginning in 2017.
Since ITV began its free-to-air broadcasting of the sport, average audience figures for the Cheltenham Festival have climbed by more than a third.
Additionally, there are now 50% more young viewers compared with the previous broadcaster, Channel 4.
ITV’s coverage includes more than 100 days of action across ITV1 and ITV4, with racing simulcast on its online streaming platform ITVX.
The deal will once again include UK horseracing’s top events including the Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Derby.
ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off today, with a daily show airing between 1pm and 4.30pm hosted by Ed Chamberlin.
The broadcaster will also have an extended 90-minute version of its Opening Show each morning from 8.30am.
Chamberlin will be joined by horseracing legends such as Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald, among others, during the four-day stretch.
Julie Harrington, British Horseracing Authority CEO, said: “ITV’s coverage and promotion of British racing is exceptional, bringing our sport’s many wonderful stories to life with passion and pride.
“At the BHA we are keen to work closely with our broadcast partners in order to help them further improve the viewer experience for both new and existing fans alike, with innovation as to how the sport is packaged and presented being a core element of the industry’s strategy,” she added.
Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, commented: “This deal will take us to a decade of racing on ITV and we’re delighted to be able to continue to bring to viewers well over 100 days of live coverage of this wonderful sport, including some of the most enjoyable, storied and thrilling events of each year.”
Racecourse Media Group CEO Martin Stevenson added: “On behalf of our racecourses, we are delighted to have cemented our relationship with ITV for a further three years.
“ITV have been an excellent partner for the sport, providing more terrestrial coverage here in the UK than in any other racing jurisdiction in the world, illustrating both the commitment of the broadcaster and the enduring popularity of the sport.”