ITV replacing Channel 4.
 

ITV to replace Channel 4 Racing :news: (January 1 2016)

It is understood ITV has won the rights to show racing on terrestrial television, replacing Channel 4.

Channel 4's last broadcast will be of the Betfred Challow Hurdle meeting at Newbury on December 31. It said it wished racing "all the best from 2017".

ITV's landmark first fixture will then be 24 hours later for the New Year's Day card at Cheltenham.

Channel 4 itself acquired exclusive broadcast rights in 2013, meaning showcase events such as Royal Ascot and the Derby moved from the BBC.

Much has been made of viewing figures for the sport on Channel 4, which will show Formula One motor racing this year after the BBC cut short its contract.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said tonight: "2016 will be an unprecedented year for premium live sport on Channel 4 as it becomes the new terrestrial home of Formula One alongside the Rio 2016 Paralympics and horse racing.

"We are proud of the award-winning coverage we have given to horse racing over the last three decades - and the 90 days of live terrestrial television exposure per year we have offered the sport, backed by significant editorial investment, marketing and programming across our schedules.

"We wish racing all the best from 2017."

ITV has an historical link with racing, going back to the days of the 'ITV Seven' bet, a key component of the Saturday afternoon 'World of Sport' programme.

ITV's coverage moved to Channel 4 in 1985, together with well-known presenters such as Derek Thompson and John McCririck.

The sport has two dedicated channels in Racing UK and At The Races.

Obviously it all went wrong for channel four when the new production team came in and made Claire Balding their face of racing.

Firstly she was not as popular with the public as they thought and secondly they outed for me the three people who made the show ....Francombe,Big Mac and Tommo....:news:

Balding couldnt wait to jump ship and when she decided the boat race was better for her then the grand national which were both on the same afternoon the writing was on the wall.

It has now become a very boring show with the likes of Cunningham and Fitzgereld doing most of the work and both having no real personality for tv.

Lets hope whatever happens when it goes to ITV they will bring the fun bit back and hopefully the presenters who can entertain as well as keep everyone informed.....