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The Epsom Derby: Go Racing could yet join Galileo in the winner's enclosure |
A glimmer of hope emerged yesterday (Wednesday) for horse racing's future on terrestrial TV following the collapse of the Go Racing media rights deal. At the beginning of this week, the deal seemed dead as the British Horseracing Board re-jected the £387m, 10-year deal. The BHB refused to grant Go Racing the rights to pre-race data for what was called "advanced technology". As yet under-developed, the technology could one day include new streams of betting revenue through mobile phones and interactive TV. The board also wanted a share in profits from overseas racing shown in the UK. However, it has emerged that Arena Leisure, a partner of Go Racing, has successfully negotiated terms for a licence for pre-race data, with the BHB on behalf of the consortium.
The provisional agreement now has to go before the BHB today (Thursday) to get the horseracing governing body's approval.
A spokeswoman for Go Racing said: "This is really good news because we all thought the deal was dead. We understand BHB advisers have told them to go for our deal. We welcome the progress that's been made."
Whether the deal is secured or not, Channel 4 has said there will be no immediate change to its horseracing coverage. The channel has separate contracts with various racecourses, which will be looked at when they come up for renewal.
However, C4 said the interacitve element is crucial, as it does not want to be a terrestrial-only broadcaster and may cut its racing broadcasts if Go Racing fails.
Without the revenue expected to be generated from interactive betting, the deal is not seen as an attractive investment.
Audience figures for Channel 4 racing hardly ever come close to the one million mark.
If Go Racing fails to secure agreement with the BHB, a Channel 4 insider admitted plans for the digital racing channel were "dead".
The channel, which would have an interactive element, was due to launch next spring.
Carlton, which was pipped to the post by the Go Racing Consortium in the original tender process, has already dismissed claims that it would would re-enter the race.
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