With 11 months to go no one has committed to anything new but losing free-to-air coverage would be calamitous
This time last year it looked like the biggest certainty in racing. The first half of ITV Racing’s four-year deal for the sport’s terrestrial coverage had, by general consent, worked well for both parties. Viewing figures were strong for the showpiece events and above expectations for more run-of-the-mill coverage on ITV4. A fresh four-year contract from 2021 seemed, in racing terms, to be over the last at Aintree and around the Elbow, with only a loose horse for company.
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