The deal was thrashed out today by Channel 4 bosses, Tote and the Racecourse Association and will see live, Tote-fronted racing on the channel every Saturday afternoon and on selected weekdays.
The Morning Line, a roundtable discussion programme every Saturday morning, hosted by Alastair Down, John Francome, Jim McGrath and John McCririck, will also continue as well as extra coverage of the racing calendar鈥檚 top events such as Cheltenham and Newmarket.
Securing the package this week will enable bosses to effectively breathe a huge sigh of relief as the racing is its last remaining popular sport shown on the channel, following the departure of top cricket matches to Sky in a new deal to start next year.
David Scott, deputy chief executive at Channel 4, said: 鈥淭his is great news for our many loyal viewers, who can continue to enjoy extensive free to air televised racing.
鈥淲e always wanted to keep racing on 4 but we had to find a way of eliminating the sizeable commercial downside of broadcasting the sport and this deal does just that.
Head of sport Dave Kerr added: 鈥淚t's a great result for the viewers, Channel 4 and the sport of racing, and a credit to those in the racing industry who have worked so hard to maintain the sport's strong presence on terrestrial television.
鈥淭his investment ensures that racing remains a regular presence in the cultural mainstream.鈥
By Kevin May
Channel 4 secures Tote package
Channel 4 has saved its mainstream sports coverage by securing a sponsorship deal with Tote, the UK betting outfit, to ensure coverage of horseracing continues through to the end of 2006.
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