Horse racing on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (40)
- 1 Jul 06, 03:42 PM
There has been lots of speculation in newspapers this week about the loss of certain racing meetings from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television.
The situation isn’t resolved yet but it is looking likely that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will no longer televise the festival.
The decision will rest between negotiations that are currently going on between Goodwood and Channel 4.
We have covered Goodwood for 50 years and we would be sorry to end our partnership, although we have offered to continue to cover the Glorious Goodwood meeting after 2006...
We have however decided not to offer year-round coverage of other race meetings from Goodwood.
I understand their ambition is to have their racing covered year-round and if they can find that opportunity with another broadcaster we wish them well.
We remain committed to racing and we are very proud to bring some of the greatest occasions in racing to the widest possible audience.
We have the rights until 2009 for the Grand National meeting from Aintree, the Derby meeting from Epsom and Royal Ascot.
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your comments are reflective of your views of racing three tracks and no commmitment to day to day meetings.
sadly you improved your coverage in recent years but your racing team dosent deserve its management. Whats the betting 3 years time no Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ racing?
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Barbara, I'm interested to know how you can say "we remain committed to racing" after announcing that you've decided to dump most of your Goodwood coverage, without explaining why? Is it too expensive, not enough viewers etc? Could you explain the reasoning behind this decision?
I hope this doesn't sound like I'm having a go, but your post raises more questions than it answers. Does "committed to racing" just mean the big events that interest the public at large? If so, I think you should say so.
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To Rob: it's obvious, they can say whatever they like. They work for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, unsullied by commercial pressures; they are above reproach; and it's about time you showed some gratitude!
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Was Steve Rider right and it is the beginning of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cutting back on Sport, it is a shame as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ team is so good for racing
But as they have shown with Cricket if they don't want to show it then they won't bother making the effort
Sport is a big reason the Beeb have their tv tax and if they lose events or lose intrest then it is hard to justify that tax
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This decision by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to cut back their racing coverage, which has effectively signalled the death of racing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV in 3 years (unless C4 and Racing UK fallout with each other in the intervening years)is shamefull. The reason it is the end of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Racing it that Aintree and Epsom are both in the Racing UK stable and at the end of those 3 year more than likley they will fall into line and be broadcast by C4. This is a shame as all the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ team Clare Balding, Jim McGrath, Rishi Persad, Ian Bartlett, Willie Carson, Ray Cochrane and Angus Loughran are far better than those at channel four. Whoever made this descision in the case of Goodwood is breaking a tradition of over 50years. You lot do not deserve to be in your jobs, anyone could do a better job than you lot. Lets have someone in charge of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ sport who cres about Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ sport as a whole, not just the red button. I could partly understand why Grandstand in its present form had to go, but completely axe it and decimate your racing coverage is crass incompentence at the very least. But the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ only want the big events. If you are not carefull you will only have the Big events. RIP saturday afternoon sport on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Messers Mosey, Thompson and Grade are about to do a Birts and kill Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ sport once more. BRING BACK GREG DYKE.
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Would it be right for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to keep hold of these rights at any price? No, of course not. Any more than it would be right for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to try to outbid Sky for the Prem. Face facts, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ struggles to compete with commercial broadcasters in terms of funding for sport.
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Neil, you've completely missed the point. This is nothing about a bidding war and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ being unable to match the price of other broadcasters, it's about the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ trying to pick off the "crown jewels" of racing, e.g. Grand National, Derby, Glorious Goodwood etc. but completely abandoning the the rest of racing underneath. (And then having the nerve to was lyrical about its commitment to racing.)
If there's one point to the licence fee (a tax in everything but name) it's to do the things which aren't sustainable by commercial broadcasters. Instead the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is using its pretty healthy finanical state to take the commercially attractive bits, and abandon the rest.
It's not just racing. Numerous minority sports are losing /have lost their television exposure because of this approach by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. The gradual erosion of Grandstand as a vehicle for minority sports alongisde sports with a broader appeal, is the perfect iillustration of this.
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I hav enothing to say because you have not posted my previous comment so much for a fair and balanced Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Can you not stand critisim
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Where are my comments and why have they not been posted I did not use vulgar or offensive language. I pointed to the simply truth you are rubbish at you jobs and have lost Glorious Goodwood after 50years shame on you all. Please answer my comment and post this. Otherwise this is an example of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ censorship.
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Dear Barbara
I would like to say sorry about the post below:
* 8.
* At 07:40 PM on 04 Jul 2006,
* john wrote:
Where are my comments and why have they not been posted I did not use vulgar or offensive language. I pointed to the simply truth you are rubbish at you jobs and have lost Glorious Goodwood after 50years shame on you all. Please answer my comment and post this. Otherwise this is an example of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ censorship.
When I checked your site my previous comments had still not been postedn see below:
* 5.
* At 10:14 PM on 03 Jul 2006,
* john wrote:
This decision by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to cut back their racing coverage.......
Now they are there, either my PC or your site who knows. So no Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ censorship. Just a lack of commitment to racing.
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The overall coverage of racing in the British Isles [because i think we should see more irish racing too] on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is inadequate. I agree that in racing [as in many other sports] the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is wanting the plums but shows no commitment to the rest of the sport.
An example is cricket; where the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cried over the loss of test matches, but only showed those from home [never tests from WIndies or Australia during otherwise dead braoadcasting time] nor any county cricket, except for finals and semis of one day games. sunday cricket had been long abandoned by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
It seems that celebrity horse riding [alright its for comic relief but its also a showing off with your mates show] is more crucial to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ than horse racing; celebrity dancing is more important than sport generally. Instead of moaning about commercial out-bidding, has anyone at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ever thought of collaborating with C4 over racing; ITV over football?
Get a deal with ATR or racing UK; show some racing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ3 or during the day, and/or some cricket and/or some other sport and if that means sending fewer people to the world cup [they can sit in the studio at home and talk instead] I for one would be utterly delighted. Less talk, more action.
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Three years ago the the fixture list for racing was based upon the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ showing double headers on Saturday, so what's with the change of policy?
Remember, racing is the second most popular sport attendance wise in this country. Also, this was bound to happen when the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ decided to drop Grandstand early this year 'cos racing was a staple part of Grandstand through the years
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ stopped caring about sport years ago. I will tell you when it started. It was when Sportsnight stopped being shown on a Wednesday night.
Horse racing on the beeb is a thing of the past. Royal Ascot, Epsom Derby meeting and Grand National are all what they care about.
My growing up was based on four races on the beeb and the ITV seven on a Saturday afternoon, those days are long gone. As is Grandstand, Sportsnight, Cricket, Boxing, F1 and much more on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ tv. Thankfully the beebs radio coverage is still the best.
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I'm sorry, but Epsom (Derby meeting), Aintree (Grand National meeting) and Royal Ascot....this is evidence of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commitment to racing as a sport?
Epsom: national institution, therefore terrestrial coverage required
Aintree: ditto
Royal Ascot: hats and hoorays
The Royal Ascot racing is good, and the National meeting also has significant other NH racing - but Goodwood? York? Doncaster? Newmarket?(to name four important Flat meetings). Cheltenham Festival, Sandown, Kempton, Newbury? (to name four important NH meetings if you count Tingle Creek, King George and Hennessy).
So the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is covering three meetings EVERY YEAR? And only, apparently for the next 3 years? Is that correct? If so this is something to be proud of? I don't think so.....
I recognise that so-called "minority" sports may go the way of all flesh, especially in favour of "reality" programmes and boring life-style stuff. But surely the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ can appreciate that one of the ways they justify the license fee (which is in effect a tax on everyone who owns a television, whether they watch the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ or not) is that they make efforts to include in their scheduling a reasonable coverage of "minority" interests, including sport.
One of the problems is that those of us who either won't or can't (for economic reasons) subscribe to satellite channels are being deprived of coverage of major events.
Wake up, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ - you are supposed to be a public service broadcaster - but I see little in the way of "public" or "service" in your racing coverage.
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Fantastic to see horse racing disappearing from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV.
Are you clearing the deck for the return of Test cricket? I certainly hope so, and no more tedious interruptions from horse racing.
BRING TEST CRICKET HOME!
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ lost the rights to Newmarket to ITV in 1969 exactly because it would not meet the track's coverage needs. A similar pattern emerged at the other flat race courses, but the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ hung on for various reasons to Goodwood, Kempton and Ascot,as well as Haydock. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ still dominated the jump season at that time. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ surrendered Kempton Park to ITV in the 70's but then ITV abandoned everything virtually overnight in the 80's. Channel 4's superior coverage and commitment in the 80's and 90's left the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ hanging on, and they couldn't even be bothered to fight for Cheltenham. In 1999 the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ gave evidence to the Commons Select Committee that it would continue to fight for Sports Rights-Goodwood was an example. Ironically the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has dramatically improved its traditionally lousy racing coverage to match the standards of its output elsewhere and now is easily better than Channel 4's coverage. It made sense that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ should concentrate on fewer racecourses but we have now gone beneath any sensible minimum. Despite the 1999 promise we seem to have returned to the gutless lack of fight of the Birt era.
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I rather agree with John CB. My enthusiasm for racing was kindled by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔtv Grandstand as a child in the 1980s. At that stage live coverage included, Cheltenham, Ripon, Redcar, Wetherby, Lingfield, Newbury, Uttoxeter, Punchestown (remember that?!) etc all of which were slowly lost to Channel Four. What remains leaves racing itself greatly impoverished.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has always been able to deliver good audiences to racing and it has been healthy competition from Channel Four that finally led to the step change improvement in coverage led by the peerless Clare Balding, for which many have been very grateful. Leaving C4 as the only terrestrial outlet for regular televised racing is bad news for the racing industry and for sponsors too.
Given C4s shaky commitment to the sport in an uncertain financial environment, one can only asume that there is a very great danger that within a few years the last remaining racing trophies in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ sports rights cabinet will,in fact, be the only racing left for terrestrial viewers. Good news for racing? Public Service Commitment? Sadly, I think not.
With preparations being made for the demise of Grandstand as a vehicle for minority sports other sporting Governing Bodies must be looking anxiously to the future.
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Dear Barbara Slater
Would you be good enough to answer this?
You say: "We remain committed to racing."
Could you please tell me how many days' horse racing coverage will there be on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV next year?
And how does this compare to, say, 2001?
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"We remain committed to racing...."
Really! You could have fooled me!
Racing takes place 364 days a year so please tell me how your woeful coverage shows that you are committed.
Take away the Aintree Festival and Royal Ascot, not much left is there?
It's a disgrace that you come out and say you are committed.
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Judging by the coverage of Royal Ascot, what you actually mean is "we are committed to showing a couple of races with no decent preview of the horses in the paddock or on the course, in between a bunch of lovies poncing about talking about what everyone's wearing".
I want to see the horses in the paddock, going down to the start and hear about them. I really DO NOT CARE if there's some over weight chavette on a day out wearing "something that looks like it came from Asda".
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The silence is deafening, Ms Slater
I thought the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ was supposed to listen to its audiences
We only fund the service, after all
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will still be showing Ascot, Aintree, Epsom, Haydock (for now divided with C4), Chepstow (first jumps meeting of the season and Welsh National and the Arc so it's not all that bad.
The Beeb may also get rights at major tracks covered by ATR such as Newcastle, Uttoxeter, Exeter and from next year Doncaster will be an ATR track so they could try and secure those. I sure hope so.
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Maybe a stumbling block to C4 taking over Goodwood according to The Times. C4 want early starts to accomodate Countdown apparentley. Come on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ do the Right thing and don't drop Haydock and take over some courses from Channel four. Do a seperate deal with Racing UK and Attheraces courses yourselves. And how about an answer Barbara
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I might be wrong here, but I understood that, from 2006, Channel 4 no longer paid for its racing coverage, but actually received a sum of money from the Tote to screen racing. This would suggest that its commitment to racing was not exactly rock solid (they did, I believe, threaten to drop coverage altogether unless racing stumped up some cash, although perhaps that was just a very effective negotiating ploy).
If this is true, it is unlikely that any Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ courses are going to move if they get money for coverage whereas there is nothing on offer from C4. At the same time, it poses a dilemma for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ who presumably have to justify how it spends its money, and would have to say why they pay for horse racing when C4 doesn't.
Against this background, a "Crown Jewels" policy is not in itself so crazy, because the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ could then demonstrate it was paying for the premium events. But this only works if racing was offering a package of all its Crown Jewels for cash while paying for the bread-and-butter coverage to be on C4. That situation doesn't seem to exist. For the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to operate a Crown Jewels policy with just the big races it owns makes no sense - it is providing neither year-round coverage of the sport or the big events either.
I agree with previous contributors: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ racing coverage has improved immeasureably in the last few years and is now top-notch. It seems a lousy reward for Clare Balding and the team to reduce the opportunites to do what they do so well, and for the viewers to enjoy an informative programme without commercial interruption.
I can understand why the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ wouldn't be able to accept a Tote deal like C4 to show racing, but is there not scope to offer more coverage to courses with only token rights fees to reduce the costs? The NH coverage last winter was very limited and I would definitely like to see an improvement there.
I understood that C4 were becoming less interested in the sport because they thought advertising revenue would be greater with other programmes than racing - presumably why they dropped a number of their weekday meetings. But the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ought to be above such pressures and when it does a job well, and which is appreciated by followers of the sport, it ought to be expanding not reducing its output.
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Amazing - Barbara Slater comes on here on 1 July and 'justifies' the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 'coverage' of horse racing
Six weeks later, and she hasn't bothered to reply to one person
What is the point of this blog?
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I saw some reports that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ were to keep Chepstow and Haydock. There may yet be hope that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will keep goodwood. Of course by dropping Goodwood and Grandstand this all goes to help the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ claim that there will be even more sport on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. When what they really mean is that we will show more wimbledon and more snooker etc on interactive and forget about the viewers. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ say that they have not got room for Goodwood: Why not They don't cover World or British Superbikes anymore British Touring Cars, Cricket, Formaula 1 , The Boat Race, and some other sports have seen their coverage decline in recent year like Showjumping.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's poor coverage of racing extends to other equestrian sports - how many of us would know that there was a World Equestrian Games going on at Aachen at the time I post this, and that our team are well represented? How many major showjumping or eventing meetings are covered during the year? Riding is one of the most popular leisure activities in the UK, and generates an enormous interest in equestrian events .... So why do the terrestial channels seem so devoted to football, football, and yet more football?
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Dear Barbara
It was a sad day for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport especially the racing team, as today the brilliant Claire Balding signed off on Grandstand and said goodebye to Goodwood for the foreseeable future. Yet still Barbara you have shown that you have no respect to the viewer, the people who pay in part your wages. You have not responded to one single comment posted on this blog. Maybe the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ could save money and and get rid of these blogs as we the viewer seem to be wasting our and get no response from those people who are meant to be answerable to us in the long run. You have given no reason why the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ can not offer year round coverage og Goodwood as today you have provided great coverage of the celebration mile. It just goes to prove that getting rid of Grandstand is a way of cutting back on sports coverage and concentrating on certain sports. I find it a disgrace that you have not bothered to reply.
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To all those people knocking the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs racing coverage.
Just look at all the action listed on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ over the next couple of months and you will see that all this moaning is totally pointless.
There is the Sprint Cup at Haydock this weekend, then the Ascot Festival, then The Arc, then another meeting at Ascot, then Chepstow for the start of their jumps season, two days at Aintree, the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, then finally Ascot starts its jumps season.
It's a busy period.
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I think it is a splendid idea to have the main 36 programmes of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ racing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1 and 2 and to then transmit other races from those meetings on Interactive or other Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Channels.
Please Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport; GO FOR IT!!!
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Racing is a superb product lead by the superlative Claire Balding. As many races as possible should be shown even if it is on Interactive.
I trust the extras will be shown on Freeview as well where they will get the maximum exposure?
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When the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ show the Kempton meeting transfered from Epsom on Saturday 30th October, will it be be the first time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has ever shown racing from Kempton.
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I ment 30th September
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As Rishi Persad said when he introduced the Kempton coverage yesterday, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ hadn't been to Kempton since 1979. I can certainly remember the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ covering Kempton.
The horse-trading that went on which resulted in Kempton going to ITV from 1980 is gone into in some detail in Peter O' Sullevan's autobiography, "Calling the Horses". Essentially, United acecourses, as Kempton, Epsom and Sandown were then, wanted one broadcaster. I wonder what difference it would have made to racing coverage had the contract gone the other way, as some apparently wanted.
By the way, everything seems to have gone quiet over Goodwood. Does anyone know if a final decision has been made, or whether there is still a chance we can enjoy the fixture on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ with the best racing team?
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Have Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ actually lost shared rights to Haydock Park?
I notice they are now showing two races from Chepstow tomorrow instead of the one promised earlier.
I take it Uttoxeter has alos been lost to C4?
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are showing the Betfair Chase according to Haydock's web site.
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Fantastic to see horse racing disappearing from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV.
Are you clearing the deck for the return of Test cricket? I certainly hope so, and no more tedious interruptions from horse racing.
BRING TEST CRICKET HOME!
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Would it be right for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to keep hold of these rights at any price? No, of course not. Any more than it would be right for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to try to outbid Sky for the Prem.
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Three years ago the the fixture list for racing was based upon the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ showing double headers on Saturday, so what's with the change of policy?
Remember, racing is the second most popular sport attendance wise in this country. Also, this was bound to happen when the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ decided to drop Grandstand early this year 'cos racing was a staple part of Grandstand through the years
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Not sure whts happened (possibly a rush of blood)but Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are showing Kempton Park on the 27th as CH 4 are neglecting the place.
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When racing resumes at Doncaster later this year will the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ bid for live TV rights as a replacement for Goodwood.
At The Races will be showing the course from this year on wards and as the Beeb already cover Ascot and Chepstow (ATR tracks) wouldn't it be an idea to add Donny to that list.
I ask this because the only northern tracks you cover are Aintree and Haydock and it would be good to have a more countrywide range of courses.
You could try and get Newcastle too as the Eider Chase is a good Grand National trial.
Also can you respond to an earlier post about the prospect of showing the Galway festival as a replacement for Glorious Goodwood.
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