With 11 months to go no one has committed to anything new but losing free-to-air coverage would be calamitous
![Talking Horses: Delayed renewal of ITV deal begins to raise concerns](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/adc2a24f67b9cc7021ecf0d962e0f4dcc8722c55/0_279_4404_2643/master/4404.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=56243b4f0f844ae657e60e8347d2fd28)
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.
Related: Talking Horses: weighty problem over Tiger Roll and the Grand National