RACING is braced for a huge shake-up in its TV coverage after five Irish tracks ‘spectacularly’ rejected a massive new £40million deal.
The breakdown in negotiations means some racing could return to Sky Sports.
Action from Limerick and four other Irish racecourses could soon be shown on Sky Sports Racing
As it stands, all Irish racing is aired on Racing TV, which costs a minimum of £24.98 per month.
But five racecourses, all members of United Irish Racecourses, voted against a new deal.
Kilbeggan, Limerick, Roscommon, Sligo and Thurles can begin talks on their own deal, report the Racing Post.
If Arena Racing Company swoop then action from those tracks could return to Sky as early as next year.
Arc and Sky are said to be in a ‘very strong bargaining position’ over any proposed deal.
The five tracks rejected the new offer due to a disagreement over how the current funding model favoured the big tracks in Ireland.
In total it means 21 of the 26 Irish racecourses will be shown on Racing TV.
Conor O’Neill, chairman of HRI’s media rights committee, told the Racing Post: “It’s a fantastic deal and I’m delighted for the 21 racecourses who have signed up to secure it today.
“I would like to thank the board of AIR and our CEO Paul Hensey for their hard work and support.
“I would also like to especially thank our former CEO Paddy Walsh who has worked tirelessly on achieving the best possible deal for our members and the HRI media rights committee whose commitment has been extraordinary throughout the entire process.
“Although it’s disappointing that it was not approved by all, today is a very positive day for the future of Irish racing, let’s not take away from that.
“I look forward to continuing our partnership with SIS and RMG for the overwhelming majority of Irish racecourses, subject to the approval by the HRI board on Friday.”
It is not believed that ITV’s coverage of Irish racing will be affected by the new deal.
Sky Sports Racing is fronted by top presenters including Sun Racing’s very own Matt Chapman and the popular Leonna Mayor.
Racing TV features the likes of Nick Luck and Lydia Hislop and shows action from Cheltenham and Aintree through the season.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/owners-forced-to-change-racehorses-name-after-looking-it-up-on-urban-dictionary/
