An agreement has been reached today which could ensure the BBC`s continued coverage of racing.
Go Racing - a consortium involving Arena Leisure, BSkyB and Channel 4 - and the BBC have agreed terms for the corporation to continue to broadcast the races that it currently covers, which includes the Grand National and Royal Ascot, if Go Racing`s bid to acquire media and related rights to the 59 British racecourses is successful.
As part of the deal Channel 4 and the BBC have agreed to work with each other and the racecourses to integrate their respective racing coverage so as to improve the narrative for viewers.
Go Racing is promising 4,000 hours of live coverage each year, more than any other sport receives in the United Kingdom. Channel 4 is also planning to launch a new daily lunchtime racing programme to support its existing coverage.
David Scott of Go Racing said: 'With the BBC formally on board Go Racing offers a much higher level of continued terrestrial coverage for racing than any other bidder.
'Allied to our technical ability to deliver the promised new services quickly and the pedigree of the partners involved, we believe this proposal represents the best solution for the future health and prosperity of racing.'
And Peter Salmon, BBC director of sport, added: 'BBC Sport will continue to bring the nation the peak events of British racing under this arrangement.
'Our commitment to racing remains as high as ever and eventually the racing fan should see a more coherent coverage of their sport.'
Bids for racing`s media rights totalling £400 million each from Carlton and Go Racing are currently being considered by the Racecourse Association.
However, the RCA has advised its 59 members not to take up either of the two offers yet.
Stephen Atkin, chief executive of the RCA, said: 'We have advised our members that both offers are very serious proposals but it`s not in our interests toget involved in a period of exclusivity with either party while there are certain issues outstanding. These issues can be resolved.
'We are in negotiations with both parties to get some detail on contract. There are two sets of negotiations currently running parallel.
'We need contract offers before we can decide which one is the most suitable for our members.
'The end is in sight but how close I`ve no idea.'
There will be a meeting of representatives of the 59 racecourses on November 21 and Atkin went on: 'There is a forum at Haydock and we will make use of the opportunity to bring our members up to speed on the negotiations.'
The BBC have also done a deal with Carlton.
'We have a similar agreement with Carlton,' revealed Mike Hales of BBC Sport. 'We have signed non-exclusive deals with both parties so we will be able to at least maintain our coverage.
'Under the Carlton deal the Derby and Oaks will be back with the BBC and with Go Racing we will be looking at a further division of rights.'
