ITV has secured a four-year agreement to provide exclusive, free-to-air coverage of UK horse racing from 2027 to 2030. This deal encompasses 117 days of live coverage across ITV1, ITV4, STV, and STV Player, all simulcast on ITVX. The programming will continue to include the popular morning segment, The Opening Show.
The new agreement ensures ITV Racing will keep broadcasting some of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar, including the Randox Grand National, Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Betfred Derby. Viewers can expect a minimum of five races from the main site at all fixtures to be shown on ITV4.
ITV’s horse racing coverage has consistently won accolades, with BAFTA awards in 2018 and 2024, reflecting the high quality of its broadcasts. Presenters Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani have been recognized for their efforts, receiving the Broadcast Sports Presenter of the Year award at the British Sports Journalism Awards in 2019. This year, ITV Horse Racing has experienced its best performance yet on ITVX, generating over 15 million streams. The Grand National alone attracted a peak audience of 5.2 million viewers, marking it as ITV’s largest audience in Q2.
Reflective of the growing interest, Royal Ascot saw five million viewers across its five-day event, with the final day showing a significant increase of over 20% compared to the previous year. Cheltenham Festival reached its highest peak audience in four years, achieving 1.8 million viewers on the final day. Similarly, the Derby experienced its largest viewership in two years, peaking at 1.3 million.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, emphasized the importance of the deal for both ITV Sport and UK horse racing. He expressed pride in delivering extensive live coverage of this esteemed sport and extended thanks to the Racecourse Media Group, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company, Ascot Racecourse, among others, for their continued collaboration.
Nick Mills, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, expressed enthusiasm for extending their partnership with ITV. He highlighted the exceptional level of visibility British horseracing will receive, allowing millions of fans to watch premier events.
Jim Mullen, The Jockey Club’s Chief Executive, praised the consistent passion and innovation of the ITV Racing team. He conveyed shared excitement about the stories behind the races and the new avenues ITV explores to bring horseracing into the homes of millions, benefiting from the guaranteed exposure of 117 days of free-to-air coverage each year.
Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse, remarked positively on the extension, lauding ITV’s unwavering commitment and superior production standards. She anticipated further innovations in broadcasting throughout the new contract period.
David Leyden Dunbar, Arena Racing Company Director of Commercial Strategy, reflected on the enduring relationship with ITV Racing, describing it as a fantastic platform for British horseracing. He noted the envy of other sports for such high-quality terrestrial coverage and looked forward to continuing to bring major racing events into homes across the nation.
Brant Dunshea, Acting Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, celebrated the news as a boon for British racing. He acknowledged ITV as first-class broadcast partners who successfully introduced racing to broader terrestrial audiences. Dunshea looked forward to future collaborations focused on broadcasting innovation, audience engagement, and retention, which are crucial to the sport’s industry strategy.
While the majority of industry leaders have spoken highly of the deal’s potential to elevate horseracing’s profile, some have noted the challenges faced by traditional broadcasters in an increasingly digital landscape. With streaming services becoming more ubiquitous, the nature of viewership is shifting. This could push ITV to innovate its delivery methods to engage younger audiences who consume content differently than traditional TV viewers.
The extension of ITV’s contract underscores a commitment to maintain terrestrial television as a primary medium for horseracing coverage in an era where digital platforms are rapidly expanding. The challenge for ITV will be to balance the heritage and tradition of horseracing with cutting-edge broadcasting techniques to appeal to diverse audiences.
Overall, the deal signifies a steadfast commitment to preserving and enhancing the visibility of UK horse racing. ITV’s continued involvement in the sport promises an enriched viewing experience for fans, as both the network and its partners strive to deliver unparalleled coverage of one of Britain’s most beloved sports.
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