Racecourse Media Group (RMG), the media rightsholder for British horse racing, has signed a four-year deal with ITV, with coverage across the ITV1, ITV4 and STV channels as well as on the STV Player on-demand platform.
The deal also includes the renewal of the morning racing programme, The Opening Show, and will include the sport’s four biggest events – the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “This is a vital deal for ITV Sport and UK horse racing, ensuring the very best fixtures across the UK are available free-to-air on ITV until 2030.
“We are proud to deliver so much live coverage of this incredible sport and would like to thank Racecourse Media Group, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company, Ascot Racecourse and our other partners, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.”
TV exposure crucial for racing
Continued exposure on ITV is a good boost for racing, which has been facing financial struggles over the past few years, driven largely by declining attendances and, to an extent, dips in betting revenue.
Raceday attendance fell below five million in 2022, the first time since the 1990s, and in 2023 stood at 4.83 million before dropping slightly by 0.7% to 4.79 million in 2024, according to the Horse Betting Levy Board (HBLB).
Although a reduction in the number of fixtures meant that average attendance did improve, these spectator struggles have made TV engagement even more critical for racing, particularly around key meetings like the Grand National and Cheltenham.
“It’s very good news that racing has agreed an extension with ITV,” said Felicity Barnard, Ascot Racecourse Chief Executive. “Their commitment, editorial expertise and production values are second to none and they are a superb partner to work with.
“We look forward to another period of innovation in broadcasting over the coming years.”
A much needed win for racing
It’s not all doom and gloom for UK racing, however. The sport remains the second most bet on sport in the UK after football, which took the lead in 2019 – though given the cultural dominance of the Premier League it is surprising this didn’t happen sooner.
According to ITV, its coverage of British racing is going well – more than well, actually, with ITVX generating over 15 million streams, with 5.2 million tuning into the Grand National, five million into Ascot, 1.8 million to the final day of the Cheltenham festival, and 1.3 million to the Derby.
Racing can take some optimism from this, optimism it really needs this year. 2025 is shaping up to be an eventful year for the sport, with prospective tax hikes prompting the sport to call a strike on 10 September.
Jim Mullen, The Jockey Club Chief Executive, said: “The ITV Racing team continue to showcase our sport to racing fans and new audiences with the same passion and rigour they brought to our screens when their contract began back in 2017.
“We share their enthusiasm for telling the stories behind the stories, and for constantly exploring new and innovative ways to bring horseracing to life and into the homes of millions of people.
“Racing will benefit greatly from this extension and from the exposure that is guaranteed from 117 days of free to air coverage every year.”
Dingnews.com 02/10/2025