Rmg To Manage Ascot’s Media Rights

Ascot is set to join Racecourse Media Group, the parent company of Racing UK TV, which will be responsible for the distribution of all of the racecourse’s media rights in the UK and overseas from June 2014.

In conjunction with this, racing from Ascot will transfer to Racing UK TV from At The Races (ATR) prior to Royal Ascot 2014. 

Charles Barnett, chief executive at Ascot, said of the deal: ‘After careful consideration we have decided to extend our relationship with RMG, with whom we recently negotiated the exclusive terrestrial television contract with Channel 4. We have also partnered with the RMG courses since 2007 in the provision of our pictures to betting shops through Turf TV.’

Barnett added: ‘We have had an excellent and productive relationship with At The Races since 2004 and are most grateful for all they have done for us. Enabling a large percentage of the best of British racing to be promoted by one entity and showcased through one satellite broadcaster mirrors the thinking behind the Channel 4 deal, and it should benefit initiatives like the QIPCO British Champions Series.’

Richard FitzGerald, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Ascot to the RMG family. The racecourse’s tremendous racing and global reputation is a natural fit alongside the quality output from our other 33 racecourses. We look forward to working closely with Johnny Weatherby, Charles Barnett and their team in further enhancing media revenues for the course.’

FitzGerald continued: ‘We aim to deliver the highest production and presentation values worthy of one of the best racecourses in the world which will only further add to the Racing UK viewer’s experience. As Racing UK is 100% owned by our shareholder racecourses, all profits are reinvested in the sport. The agreement will benefit Ascot, RMG’s racecourses, the racing community and the sport as a whole.’