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This might sound strange but other than the live pictures of the actual races Racing UK is actually quite poor. Their analysts are all boring and over analyse everything to the point where they might as well just read time form notes for every horse. Their graphics are bland. And they don’t have any programmes on when there is no racing. I don’t think its acceptable to pay a high price for a channel who doesn’t even show racing stuff in the evening time after racing. At least with ATR we have different shows like Ask the handicapper, get in, on the line, Monday view, Sunday forum, Friday focus, the Irish angle etc.
Agree completely on this point: ATR puts RUK to shame with the variety of its programming. An additional negative against the latter channel is the contempt in which they hold Virgin Media subscribers- no HD pictures- and people who don’t have new iPhones (the RUK app no longer works on anything older than the iPhone 6, I believe).
This might sound strange but other than the live pictures of the actual races Racing UK is actually quite poor. Their analysts are all boring and over analyse everything to the point where they might as well just read time form notes for every horse. Their graphics are bland. And they don’t have any programmes on when there is no racing. I don’t think its acceptable to pay a high price for a channel who doesn’t even show racing stuff in the evening time after racing. At least with ATR we have different shows like Ask the handicapper, get in, on the line, Monday view, Sunday forum, Friday focus, the Irish angle etc. Until they offer more in that department I’ll continue to stream it online for free
Hmmm, that’s worth knowing. I do see your point with the bolded comment especially, definitely something to consider before splashing out. Thanks.
I would not have wanted to be at Cheltenham on such a filthy day with a good few non runners. In that regard I think they were unlucky. Secondary meeting coverage from Musselburgh seemed ok.
Not sue Ed Chamberlain is the answer as anchor but he wasn’t that bad. I’ve never really taken to Luke Harvey on ATR but at least he was a welcome cheery presence today and I think that helped.AP might have a dry line in humour but his demeanour and enunciation are a big turn off. ITV are very much stuck with him in view of the William Hill tie in. Not a good day to have been a betting reporter but Chapman really hit all the wrong notes. I think he may be ok in time but am mindful of what a bore his column in The Sun is. Richard Hoiles is pleasant and competent and preferable to most commentators (including John Hunt and Stewart Machin on RUK yesterday) though not an improvement on Simon Holt. Others on the team were not sufficiently involved to warrant their presence.
We did get to see a few horses before the races, RUK didn’t do this very well yesterday.
The feature on Jonjo was good but on a day when all his horses ran poorly (possibly intentionally)
By the way, an ex girlfriend texted me grizzling that there was bloody racing on ITV. Probably annoyed a good few others too.
Harvey should be given credit for spotting that loss of an iron close home by D Jacob upsides Lizzie who managed to keep both feet secure.
It’s unfortunate for Luke that he seems happy to play the kind of mini-straightman/punching bag for AP and, I suspect, the others. That’s something they ought to be careful with; viewers won’t be aware that they’re all old friends and it’s in good heart so some of the ‘banter’ will come across as petty and mean.
I fear that Matt’s fierce ambition for an in-your-face role will be his undoing but curbing it will take a level of self discipline that he probably doesn’t have.
I’d seen nothing of Ed Chamberlin and very little of Oli Bell who impressed greatly with his poise, professionalism and what seems a genuine likability. In the long term he and Chamberlin will become the true stars of the broadcast, and doubtless they will garner much fan mail from teens as well as grannies.
The show is aimed at, and indeed catered for, none of the types of people that are on a horse racing online forum.
I thought it was ok tbh.
Of course there will be some issues as it’s the first showin but one thing that I thought when first hearing about it would be pointless, and today proved so, is the need for a weather reporter.
Just unnecessary.
I like Chapman from On The Line and hope he settles into his normal self. He’s a marmite character.
Don’t mind chamberlain. Seems a decent chap. AP always seems a bit too relaxed that perhaps it comes across as though he’s bored.
I am more interested to know what plans they have for the major festivals. Such as will they be doing what C4 did and show EVERY race at Royal Ascot? Because after all, the actual racing is the most important thing.
The show is aimed at, and indeed catered for, none of the types of people that are on a horse racing online forum.
Exactly this.
One thing I hear time and again from people not particularly interested in horse racing when they see it on TV is “it’s boring”. ITV are catering for casual viewers. Some of those “casuals” may become more interested but they will only do that if they understand and are entertained by ITV’s coverage.
I don’t watch terrestrial coverage but I thought I’d have a look at ITV’s first production just to see what it was like and I thought they did a good job, I certainly never thought “This is boring” which I did the last few times I tuned into C4 Racing.
There was no in depth analysis but there doesn’t need to be for the target audience. Chapman briefly explained betting odds and I think that was a good thing because there will have been viewers that don’t understand and if you don’t understand something you’re not likely to get involved in it.
ITV didn’t spend too much time on anything the show moved quite quickly, again that’s important to retain people’s interest.
Not a bad start. There will be things that need improving on but that’s perfectly natural after one show.
Harvey should be given credit for spotting that loss of an iron close home by D Jacob upsides Lizzie who managed to keep both feet secure.
It’s unfortunate for Luke that he seems happy to play the kind of mini-straightman/punching bag for AP and, I suspect, the others. That’s something they ought to be careful with; viewers won’t be aware that they’re all old friends and it’s in good heart so some of the ‘banter’ will come across as petty and mean.
I fear that Matt’s fierce ambition for an in-your-face role will be his undoing but curbing it will take a level of self discipline that he probably doesn’t have.
I’d seen nothing of Ed Chamberlin and very little of Oli Bell who impressed greatly with his poise, professionalism and what seems a genuine likability. In the long term he and Chamberlin will become the true stars of the broadcast, and doubtless they will garner much fan mail from teens as well as grannies.
I am not sure what, other than acting as a verbal punchbag, Harvey is going to add. The fact that he doesn’t take himself seriously is probably a plus but I can’t see many others. He isn’t a walking form book by any means and doesn’t read a race very well either. Can’t help thinking there should be someone out there who individually is better equipped than the sum of AP and Harvey.
Having seen plenty of Bell on RUK I was quite thankful that yesterday he was really only a bit-part player. Everything suggests he is a child trying to do a man’s job. It really should have been a case of come back in fifteen years. At least he seemed to have lost the curious alien hand on the microphone. Now if he can lose the voice as well, perhaps there is a little bit of hope.
The show is aimed at, and indeed catered for, none of the types of people that are on a horse racing online forum.
Exactly my thoughts. If everyone on here is slating it then they are probably doing something right. The pool of genuine horse racing nuts is very small. The pool of potential casual viewers is much bigger. I know which one I’d be aiming my coverage at.
Don’t have RUK but they really are doing something wrong if the die-hards don’t like it. Only one way to sort that out, pull the plug and tell them why.
It should be noted that Ed Chamberlin , although a new face to most forum members , is a well known sports presenter to Sky viewers for many years. He took over the football anchorman slot from the disgraced Richard Keys .
He is also a knowledgeable horse racing enthusiast – he once worked for Ladbrokes – and aside from the football he also presented a horse racing show on Sky .
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
As his name is likely to appear in print regularly over the coming weeks/months/years/decades could I make a polite request that it’s spelt correctly
Chamberlin not Chamberlain
Too many years suffering Francombe and a myriad versions of Kieren, you see
I too had never seen or heard Ed Chamberlyn before and going on yesterday’s soggy cold baptism of fire was quite taken with him: a pleasant voice, easy on the eye, calm and collected
Thought ITV did a great job first day back at school, Luke Harvey is very underrated, Chapman is the right beast for the betting ring and (better get the spelling right) Chamberlin (a little stiff necked) will grow into the job as he came over quite confident and really for the most part he needs to learn to bounce of Harvey and McCoy or whoever his side kicks are on the day.
I thought Chamberlin made an average debut but having seen him presenting on a number of occasions have no worries over his ability.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
I think wexfords comments about ruk are correct. I can easily afford it but it grates as poor value when they offer little extra in terms of programming. Four times the price of Netflix…
You do sometimes get the impresssion some are watching itv with the deep desire to go aha! As soon as a presenter gets some pointless stat slightly wrong. Also agree with the many comments that state that if itv is upsetting the anoraks then it must be doing something right.
One thing that perhaps has not been mentioned is that the coverage was pacier. I think for the casual viewer this makes a difference.
Chris Cook in The Graun:
Mike
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