Britain’s 12 leading racecourses have entered a period of exclusive negotiation with a consortium of the BBC, Channel 4 and Premium TV, a subsidiary of NTL Incorporated, for a deal in excess of ú200 million to take televised racing into the digital age.
The parties have reached a provisional agreement on a rights deal today (4th February 2000) and aim to finalise details of the contract in the coming weeks.
The deal under discussion, which would run for 10 years, covers worldwide rights – including terrestrial television, interactive TV and internet – to all racing at the Super 12 group of British racecourses. It will guarantee continued terrestrial coverage of Britain’s premier races and race meetings.
In addition to the rights payment, the media partners will provide marketing support to a value of ú25 million over the 10 years.
Peter Savill, Chairman of the British Horseracing Board, said: ‘I’m delighted that a basic agreement between the major racecourses and a very professional group of media companies has been reached although the final details still have to be worked out. It was important to move quickly on this issue to secure Racing’s finances and the 12 racecourses have negotiated an excellent deal from which all sections of Racing will benefit.’
BBC Director of Television, Alan Yentob, said: ‘This is a great deal for racing fans. The Super 12 racecourses have taken an imaginative decision that will secure a bright future for racing in the digital age. The partnership of Channel 4. NTL and the BBC will create a powerful alliance, which will deliver new opportunities for racing on every broadcast platform. The big events, which draw the nation as a whole into racing, like the Grand national, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, will continue to enjoy the highest profile on the BBC.’
Channel 4’s Managing Director, David Scott, added: ‘Channel 4 has been at the forefront of televised horseracing for 14 years and we are delighted by the prospect of playing a prominent role in wht promises to be an exciting future. This is an extremely innovative deal that will make the best use of the opportunites opened up by new technology to ensure horseracing prospers in a digital environment.’
Geoffrey Hamilton-Fairley, Chief Executive of Premium TV, said: ‘This partnership brings together the best players to deliver the best future for televised horseracing. It is also further evidence of PTV’s commitment to develop innovative sports content for digital platforms. We recently announced a deal with BBC Sport and BBC Worldwide to jointly develop the BBC Sports Library and we welcome the opportunity to work with Channel 4 and the Racing industry.’
David Hillyard, Managing Director of RHT and Acting Chairman of the ‘Super 12’ courses, said: ‘This is a ground breaking opportunity to forge a unique partnership which embraces the best of existing and new media platforms. The emphasis on telling the British racing story even more effectively to a worldwide audience, and strengthening the marketing and cross-promotion of the sport, is particularly good news and will open up an exciting new era for our racing industry.’
For more information please contact:
David Hillyard, Managing Director, RHT – 0207 487 5156 / 0207 343 3263
Kin Deshayes, Managing Director, Newmarket – 0973 624 098
Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive, Ascot – 0468 081 754
Matt Baker, Channel 4 – 0207 306 8666
Mike Hales / Alison Green, BBC Sport – 0208 225 9900
Will Robson, NTL – 01256 752 661