No decision on Channel 4 coverage
16/05/2005 - 16:57:15Channel 4’s coverage of British racing from the end of the year is still under discussion.
The broadcaster has yet to decide if it is to end its 21-year association with racing.
Channel 4, whose flagship meeting is the Cheltenham Festival, reportedly requires £8m (€11.6m) from racing and betting interests for it to carry on with a reduced programme next year.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 today said: “We are still in discussions with the industry and we are waiting for them to come back to us with an offer. The deadline for that is May 31.”
Waiting in the wings are the BBC and ITV, who are both reported to be involved in talks with racecourses.
The BBC already covers Britain’s premier races, the Grand National and Derby, as well as Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but ITV has had no involvement since quitting racing to make way for Channel 4.
However, under new head of sport Mark Sharman it has recently sought to boost its portfolio.
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