Channel 4 signs up for French racing

Channel 4 Television has signed a one-year deal for UK terrestrial rights to French horse racing, brokered by sports rights negotiator and production company TWI. The centrepiece of this deal will be live coverage of the Arc weekend.

Provisional plans for the weekend of the Prix de I¨Arc de Triomphe (6-7 October) include an extended Morning Line programme, live action from Longchamp¨s Saturday card and a special Sunday show focusing on live coverage of the great French race.

The top group races in France will now feature in Channel 4¨s racing programming on a regular basis.

Louis Romanet, director general of France Galop, said: ¨I am delighted that TWI has arranged for Channel 4 to screen French group one races this year. ¨The Prix de l¨Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere is a major date in the world racing calendar and we at France Galop are particularly pleased at the commitment of Channel 4, given its excellent reputation in broadcasting racing.¨

Andrew Franklin, executive producer for Channel 4 Racing, said: ¨We warmly welcome Europe¨s greatest race back to Channel 4 and look forward to reinvigorating the mass appeal of this end-of-season championship.¨