ITV viewers are in for a major change in racing coverage – after bosses at the channel signed a new ‘trial’ deal with Racing TV.
Some of the subscription channel’s coverage will now be shown on ITVX – the free online streaming service – starting tomorrow at Goodwood.
It means when the ITV1 coverage of the five-day summer festival goes off-air, viewers will be able to stream the final three races for free online in a slot from 4-6.30pm.
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Familiar ITV races Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani will be replaced by those hosting on Racing TV, such as Meg Nicholls and Lydia Hislop.
Racing TV is a subscription-only channel and costs £24.98 per month for the most basic package.
But this trial deal, which will be in place for two other broacasts throughout the summer, means viewers can get a taste of it for free on ITVX.
The other two trials are scheduled for 4.30-7pm on day one of York’s Ebor festival on Wednesday, August 21.
And all seven races from the Friday of Ayr’s Gold Cup meeting on September 20 will be shown as well.
Seb Vance, director of communications for Racecourse Media Group RMG, said: “RMG is always keen to innovate and explore new ways in which racing can be brought to a different audience.
“Working in collaboration with ITV, we are making available to ITVX the Racing TV feed after ITV comes off air from Goodwood at 4pm on Friday.
“It means viewers can watch the final three races from Goodwood, alongside the opening races of the evening fixtures at Musselburgh, Newmarket and Galway, in the 4pm to 6.30pm slot on ITVX.
“ITVX is a growing platform for ITV, especially among the younger demographic, which is more accustomed to watching streamed content, rather than traditional linear.
“As well as a potential new audience, the platform could be attractive in terms of expanding ITV’s coverage of racing down the line.
“It also gives viewers a taste of what Racing TV can offer, especially in its first-rate treatment of the major festivals, and we’re hopeful it will also lead to increased betting interest.
“It’s only a trial, so we’re very open-minded as to how it will go, but it hopefully will be a positive move in expanding the reach of the sport.”
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