ITV Secures Horse Racing Rights Until 2030

New contract details of British Horse Racing with ITV up to the year 2030 have been announced, which, along with a fresh commitment to Formula E until 2027, have formed the basis of the extension of the sports coverage of ITV. The station will still be the place where the most talked about racing events in Britain will be held, so, basically, the association formed in 2017 will still be there.

ITV is going to show the event directly to its main channels, ITV1 and ITV4. Besides, the audiences of Scottish broadcaster STV and its digital platforms, ITVX and STV Player, will be able to watch it. The agreement extends the partnership that was signed before and thus, was going to finish next year.

Horse racing is still among the best sports events that are live on ITV. Every year, the channel live broadcasts 117 days of racing and has been able to use this event to engage not only the traditional audience but also the younger viewers through the various streaming platforms. The agreement guarantees free-to-air access for hundreds of thousands of fans, which is very important for the sport’s visibility in the British sports market.

ITV shall keep on making The Opening Show, its early morning magazine program, which is totally dedicated to previews, interviews, and analysis, apart from the live running. For the fans who follow the build-up to major events, the show has become a staple, as it offers the insiders’ view of the horses, trainers, and jockeys waiting for the day’s race.

Presently, ITV has thrown in freshness and modernity to widen the appeal of horse racing through additional digital content, plus the interactive features spread all over their platforms. With the rights already confirmed for another four years beyond the present cycle, the broadcaster has the time to consider the further expansion of its sports coverage.

Besides the transmission of the top of racing, ITV confirmed its commitment to Formula E, the international single-seater electric car racing series, by signing a new agreement that makes it the official television partner until 2027. The zero-emission championship, first held in 2014, has been garnering more and more fans from all over the world since it fused the thrill of motorsport with the application of eco-friendly technology.

Formula E races will still be live broadcast on ITV4, and ITVX will continue to stream them. The agreement extends to the next three seasons, with the broadcaster planning to shine the light not only on the competition but also on the technology developed by the series.

Formula E has held events in striking urban areas around the globe, such as London, Berlin, Mexico City, and New York. The competition pulls in the big names from the car industry like Jaguar, Porsche, Nissan, and Maserati, and the calendar is full of races where the drivers of public interest compete.

The acquisition of the rights for both horse racing and Formula E for an extended period of time is an indication of the bigger picture that ITV has in mind, which is to keep a robust portfolio of free-to-air sports.

Horse racing is a source of regular live programming throughout the calendar year, while Formula E is an international exposure and a connection to the future of motorsport. Thus, these two properties not only strengthen the schedule of ITV but also its streaming platforms, where the fans of live sports continue to be drawn in large numbers.

The extension has been welcomed across the racing industry. For years, racecourse organizers have been stating that free-to-air sports coverage is very important for the sport’s visibility and linking with audiences other than the usual betting markets. It is believed that the impact of ITV, whether through television or streaming, is necessary to keep the sport’s profile at a certain level.

Horse Racing Ireland Formula E management was also very happy with the extension of their agreement with ITV, as they emphasized the UK being not only the most important place to broadcast but also the best location for teams. The decision to have the championship on ITV is just perfect, considering that the public’s fascination with electric vehicles and environmental issues is growing.

Immobility in horse racing, which is safe until 2030, and in Formula E until 2027, means that the UK sports broadcasting market has lost a major battle to ITV, which has strengthened its position as a key player. The next period will be the company’s opportunity to extend its delivery, digital integration, and audience engagement strategies.

Such a deal means that the sport will still be accessible to its fans via free-to-air TV, where the most prestigious events of racing will be broadcast. In the case of Formula E, it is a guarantee that one of its top European markets will be easily accessible.

The fact that ITV is committed to the project for the long haul indicates that, even though the competition for sports rights is getting tougher, the broadcaster will still be a major hub for big national and international events, at least for the next several years.