BBC drops Hickstead Derby from TV schedule for at least 4 years

The BBC has confirmed to H&H that it will not be covering the famous DFS Derby at Hickstead for the foreseeable future.

Earlier this month, Sky Sports announced that it will broadcast the Derby (25-27 June) and the Longines International Horse Show (29 July to 1 August) at Hickstead for the next four years.

A BBC spokesman told H&H it had decided to stop covering the event.

“With the increasing scheduling needs of an expanded sport portfolio it was felt the BBC could no longer give the event the coverage it merits,” said the spokesman.

In a statement on H&H’s Facebook page, Hickstead co-organiser Daisy Bunn said the BBC’s decision was initially “very disappointing”.

But Daisy added: “We are delighted that Sky Sports will be broadcasting all the action live and in its entirety — not just the Sunday as in previous years on the BBC, but THREE FULL DAYS of all the action as it happens, as well as behind-the-scenes features.”

• What do you think of the BBC’s decision? Discuss your thoughts in the H&H forum

• See this week’s H&H for more information about why the BBC dropped the Derby and whether Sky plans to broadcast the show jumping on freeview channels.

If you don’t have Sky Sports, don’t despair. You can follow all the action as it happens through our free ‘H&H Live’ service. For more information and to register for a reminder, visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/derby-live

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