New deal for ITV to show British racing until 2026

ITV have agreed a new three-year deal to show exclusive, free-to-air coverage of British horseracing until the end of 2026.

The deal will mean more than 100 days of live coverage across ITV1 and ITV4 each year — all simulcast on ITVX — along with morning racing programme The Opening Show. The Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Derby all feature.

Terrestrial TV coverage of British racing is seen as an invaluable shop window for the sport. ITV returned to broadcasting British meetings in 2017.

Nevin Truesdale, CeO of Cheltenham’s owner, the Jockey Club, said: ‘We at the Jockey Club love working with the ITV Racing team to showcase the sport. We’re really looking forward to continuing to do that.’ Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, added: ‘This deal will take us to a decade of racing on ITV and we’re delighted to bring to viewers well over 100 days of live coverage.’