Racing UK has confirmed that it will become Racing TV, as it looks forward to welcoming racing from all 26 Irish racecourses from January 1, 2019.
The rebrand reflects the quality content on both sides of the Irish Sea and enables Racing TV to bring to life the full stories from Britain and Ireland on one definitive racing HD channel.
From next year, Racing TV will broadcast live racing from 61 racecourses, equating to over 70% of all racing from Britain and Ireland, including nearly 90% of all Group and Graded races. It means that Racing TV will have only one day without any live racing outside of Good Friday and four days at Christmas.
Gary O’Brien will spearhead the Racing TV team in Ireland, where he will be joined by Kevin O’Ryan, Kate Harrington, Ruby Walsh and Donn McClean, while new programming and extended broadcast hours, including a daily Mark Your Card preview programme, are also being introduced.
Each of the 61 racecourses will have its own dedicated live stream available on Racing TV Extra, a feature of Racing TV’s digital platform. This means live coverage of every British and Irish race in its entirety, as well as uninterrupted paddock, going down and unsaddling coverage, will be available to Racing TV members. Racing TV Extra will be available via the website, mobile and TV Apps for all members, whose membership fee will remain the same.
To celebrate the launch of Racing TV in Ireland, the channel will be free-to-view during live racing for Irish residents on a regular basis in January. In addition, Irish residents will be able to take up a free one-month trial at any time during that month.
Richard FitzGerald, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, parent company of Racing UK, commented: “This is the start of an exciting new era for the channel. Rebranding to Racing TV reflects the even greater quality and choice available from both sides of the Irish Sea. Racing television is at the heart of what we do and the new brand also retains some of the Racing UK brand heritage, which we are very proud of.
“From next year, Racing TV will be showing complete coverage from a total of 61 racecourses, including the increasingly popular racing from Chelmsford City. Much work has been done over the last few months to ensure there is minimum congestion and clashes on race fixtures and times, and we’re delighted with how the schedule is looking.
“As usual, members will enjoy all the live racing with ultra-fast pictures and minimal commercial messaging. In addition, members can view the channel on unlimited platforms. Other benefits include Club Days (free racing for members and guests), Winter Season Tickets (free racing), discounted racecourse admission, hospitality offers and the Racing TV magazine – and all for the same membership fee.”
