Bright future for TV racing

NTL Incorporated, the cable communications company, has negotiated the option to join the Go Racing consortium if its bid to secure racing rights is successful.

The Go Racing channel will allow armchair racing fans to place bets and receive up-to-the-minute form guides using the company’s interactive TV service.

Go Racing has also agreed terms for the BBC to continue to broadcast the races it currently covers if Go Racing’s bid is successful.

David Scott, for Go Racing, said: “NTL¨s involvement would mean that Go Racing would have in place all the essential UK elements required to maximise revenues and the profile of British racing.”

Go Racing is promising 4,000 hours of live racing coverage each year, including a dedicated Go Racing Channel available to around five million UK pay-TV homes, an interactive TV service with on-screen betting and a comprehensive website, allowing international betting on UK racing.

Channel 4 is also planning to launch a new daily lunchtime race programme in support of its existing coverage.

For more information, see Horse & Hound issue dated 23 November