ITV plans 40 days of racing coverage in 2017

UK terrestrial broadcaster ITV has confirmed that it will show 40 days of racing on its main channel in 2017.

ITV who secured UK racing terrestrial rights in January 2016, will begin coverage of the sport on New Year’s Day with its first broadcast on ITV from Cheltenham.

Adding racing to its sports content, ITV will gain exclusive coverage of major festivals’ Cheltenham and Royal Ascot. The commercial broadcaster will also show UK classics The Grand National, The Derby, Oaks and St Ledger.

Last week the broadcaster confirmed that its ‘main-channel’ racing content would be hosted by Ed Chamberlain (main-host) and Francesca Cumani (Anchor). Its ‘Racing Team’ will be further supported by ‘betting expert’ Matt Chapman who joins the broadcaster from ‘At The Races’.

Overall the broadcasters racing content will encompass 100 days of coverage for the sport in 2017, as ITV4 will broadcast weekend races produced by ITV Sport.

Its ITV4 channel will in addition introduce its ‘Racing Magazine’ programme on Saturday mornings, giving viewers and punters insights on the weekend’s racing action.