BBC Radio To Continue Horse Racing Coverage
BBC Radio has extended its coverage of live horse racing until at least 2016, with Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra’s Cheltenham Festival broadcast covering all 27 races are broadcast live.
The new four-year deal will cover major race meetings from Britain and overseas.
Kicking off the new deal with the annual Festival, broadcaster Derek Thompson will join the BBC Radio team for the four days of the festival, along with 1998 Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton, and Paralympian and broadcaster Kate Grey.
There will be live text commentaries every day of the Cheltenham meeting, which runs from 12th to 15th March at Cheltenham Racecourse, on the BBC Sport website including audio streams of all the races and a comprehensive results service.
Jonathan Wall, acting controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra, said: ‘We’re really looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival, when the whole station gets involved to bring all the action, atmosphere and excitement to listeners. I’m also delighted to welcome Andrew, Derek and Kate to our team.’
‘The sport has always been a core part of BBC Radio 5 live’s output and 2013 will see more great coverage led by the best commentary team in the business: Cornelius Lysaght and John Hunt.’
‘The comprehensive radio coverage combined with the wide reach of BBC online and mobile will deliver excellent coverage of the sport to audiences.’
