ITV set to replace Channel 4 as racing broadcaster

[TightEnd]

ITV set to take over coverage of racing from Channel 4, which has suffered from falling viewing figures, on a four-year deal worth £30m

ITV set to replace Channel 4 as racing broadcaster http://bit.ly/1OpfQyc 

[TightEnd]

ITV’s main channel will screen at least 34 fixtures a year under its new deal, which runs from 2017-2020

the rest on ITV4

[Tal]

Racing lover John Inverdale also now has close links to ITV and could be used

[edgascoigne]

*head in hands man*

[arbboy]

Viewing figures are falling predominately because every punter can now watch every race they bet on on their mobile or tablet.  No matter what itv do they are not going to reverse the slump in viewing figures.  Amazes me all these TV exec's can't see the blindingly obvious staring them in the face.

As mobile app betting is booming it is blindingly obvious viewing figures for racing on old school media outlets will fall.

[Tal]

Viewing figures are falling predominately because every punter can now watch every race they bet on on their mobile or tablet.  No matter what itv do they are not going to reverse the slump in viewing figures.  Amazes me all these TV exec's can't see the blindingly obvious staring them in the face.

They should have at least ten races in two and a half hours of coverage, rather than six. Speaking to all the connections and trainers that give no information of any value adds nothing. A lot of the viewers aren't bothered about the human interest stuff, unless it is a really interesting story.

People watch sport for the action. Most won't care whether it's Ascot, Aintree or Ayr. They won't even care if it's Southwell or Wolverhampton.

[4KSuited]

arbboy is correct for something like 350 days of the year. There's only real commercial value on Grand National Day, the Cheltenham Festival and a small handful of other classics that get a slightly wider audience than the punters. I suspect that it was a 'buy the whole package or sod off' prop from the Racing Authority (sorry, I forget the formal name).

Meanwhile, Whilst IMO ITV have botched pretty much every live sports event they've handled, I'm prepared to 'wait & see'.

Fact is that the ads are unavoidable (as on ), so what matters is the commentary team, and what the producers feel that the Great British racing audience wants to see in between races. I'm hopeful that it won't be fashion, but I'm not so hopeful that there won't be a return for McCririck.

[arbboy]

Let's just hope we never see cock wan on any racing show again.  Given the fact he works for itv already on this morning i won't be holding my breathe.

The bottom line is itv is only interested in the online gambling advertising revenue.  They have no remote interest in racing.

[BorntoBubble]

Viewing figures are falling predominately because every punter can now watch every race they bet on on their mobile or tablet.  No matter what itv do they are not going to reverse the slump in viewing figures.  Amazes me all these TV exec's can't see the blindingly obvious staring them in the face.

They should have at least ten races in two and a half hours of coverage, rather than six. Speaking to all the connections and trainers that give no information of any value adds nothing. A lot of the viewers aren't bothered about the human interest stuff, unless it is a really interesting story.

People watch sport for the action. Most won't care whether it's Ascot, Aintree or Ayr. They won't even care if it's Southwell or Wolverhampton.

Agree with this I always change channels I between races whereas I probably wouldn't if there as a race every 15 minutes

[Karabiner]

Maybe "The ITV Seven" with Dickie Davies will make a comeback.

[tikay]

arbboy is correct for something like 350 days of the year. There's only real commercial value on Grand National Day, the Cheltenham Festival and a small handful of other classics that get a slightly wider audience than the punters. I suspect that it was a 'buy the whole package or sod off' prop from the Racing Authority (sorry, I forget the formal name).

Meanwhile, Whilst IMO ITV have botched pretty much every live sports event they've handled, I'm prepared to 'wait & see'.

Fact is that the ads are unavoidable (as on ), so what matters is the commentary team, and what the producers feel that the Great British racing audience wants to see in between races. I'm hopeful that it won't be fashion, but I'm not so hopeful that there won't be a return for McCririck.

The industry chatter is that the name in the frame is Matt Chapman.

[Marky147]

arbboy is correct for something like 350 days of the year. There's only real commercial value on Grand National Day, the Cheltenham Festival and a small handful of other classics that get a slightly wider audience than the punters. I suspect that it was a 'buy the whole package or sod off' prop from the Racing Authority (sorry, I forget the formal name).

Meanwhile, Whilst IMO ITV have botched pretty much every live sports event they've handled, I'm prepared to 'wait & see'.

Fact is that the ads are unavoidable (as on ), so what matters is the commentary team, and what the producers feel that the Great British racing audience wants to see in between races. I'm hopeful that it won't be fashion, but I'm not so hopeful that there won't be a return for McCririck.

The industry chatter is that the name in the frame is Matt Chapman.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I quite like him.

Doesn't seem to just toe the line, which others just do.

I've normally got several other things going when the racing is on, so won't matter too much, but looking forward to seeing what they do next year.

[Chompy]

Chapman not anyone's cup of tea.

[atdc21]

i dont drink coffee but he would make me.

[Karabiner]

I have a grudging admiration for Chapman although at first I could not abide him.

He is excellent when conducting interviews, always seems to be on the ball and doesn't duck any issues; always seems to ask the correct and most searching questions.