Negotiations have been more fraught and drawn-out than seemed possible but a contract is expected to be approved this week
ITV will continue to be the terrestrial home of horse racing under the terms of a new contract which is expected to be signed this week. An ITV board meeting will, it is anticipated, bring an end to a process that became much more fraught and drawn-out than seemed possible, given that both sides have every reason to be pleased with their association since an initial four-year deal began in January 2017.
If rubber-stamped, the contract will mean the sport can continue to count on between 90 and 100 days of coverage per year, until at least the end of 2023, which will underpin its standing in the competitive sports environment. The Guardian understands ITV will pay more for its rights than under the previous contract, though the sum involved would pale into insignificance compared to the sums being lost to the sport due to the
Coronavirus crisis. As one insider put it: “Even £30m wouldn’t scratch the sides at the moment.”