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I didn’t actually like Channel 4 Racing either – I found the zoom ins on any horse that went over a length clear jumping the last or entering the final furlong particularly vexing, as you couldn’t see what was happening in behind.
The ITV7 in the late 1970/early 1980s with Brough Scott, John Oaksey, Ken Butler, Raleigh Gilbert and John Penney and the BBC with Peter O’Sullevan, Julian Wilson, Richard Pitman and Jimmy Lindley was as good as it ever got for me.
Everything that has happened since has been some sort of dystopian nightmare in my view.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"“Channel 4 spent more time on the betting”.
The cultural landscape has changed since those days. If a mainstream television channel was seen to be heavily promoting gambling, the vocal New Puritans from across the political spectrum would have a fit of the vapours. Hence ITV almost being apologetic whenever the betting is mentioned.
I agree with CAS – despite predominately (including the last 13 years) Conservative government, a Party I always associated with free market, laissez-faire, thinking, the antithesis of the Nanny State, never in my adult lifetime can I recall such a creeping feeling that others now are intent on controlling every aspect of your life, right down to how your spend your money.
This will only intensify if Labour get into power.
But I think it’s more than that with ITV Racing.
Televised racing used to be targetted at people who are interested in racing (and betting).
It simply isn’t any more – they’re after as many channel-hopping, casual, viewers as they can get.
The BBC became a bit of a cringe fest during the fashion slot between races at Royal Ascot, but it was only once a year.
Last time I tuned into ITV Racing it had become like that all the time.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I rarely watch ITV Racing now as my interest is in trying to beat the Bookies as a way of keeping my “leetle grey cells” active.
Most of my bets are in the lower echelons of class 4, 5 & 6 handicaps and I only watch the races carrying my half crowns.
The laptop and the phone are good enough for me.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysITV Racing is nowhere near as dumbed down as is being made out here. Segments similar to the tedious fashion items that the BBC also used to show remain a rarity. I would actually say there is less focus on celebrities and the like now than there was in Channel 4’s latter years.
Like Worzel I am definitely a serious racing fan, and I enjoy ITV Racing for the broad appeal programme it is rightly intended to be. I’m not sure why this is so odd that it causes people bewilderment, even if the show is not to their taste!
I appreciate watching racing muted means you can form your own opinions of the action and not be influenced by the commentator, or indeed be irritated by them if you don’t like their style. But I do not want to do this as it requires much more effort and attentiveness. Also I enjoy how the commentary brings the race to life.
Watching racing on ITV makes it feel more like a big occasion. The racing channels clearly have their place, but can sometimes make it all feel a bit like a soulless conveyor belt, especially when split screens come into play. Racing is extremely lucky to have ITV; long may it continue.
“I appreciate watching racing muted means you can form your own opinions of the action and not be influenced by the commentator, or indeed be irritated by them if you don’t like their style.”
If Marlingford can exhibit the intelligence, consideration and empathy to see it from my point of view, I “suppose” (grudging, cantankerous, tone) the least I can do is reciprocate!
Apologies, Marlingford, apologies Worzel (at least I didn’t have a pop at the wonderful Wayward Lad) – I take it back, ITV Racing isn’t for children, it’s just not for me, which is ironic as I’m comfortably the biggest child on TRF!
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Haha, thanks Ian, and no apology needed! I know we’ve discussed on here before that your admiration of the mute button is not intended to mean that you think less of people who have an alternative view. And I believe that to be the case.
But I think those comments verged on sounding disdainful of those who take a different view, even though I don’t think this was their intent.
I actually marvel at you watching all the racing muted – it sounds like hard work to me
“But I think those comments verged on sounding disdainful of those who take a different view”
You’re my moral barometer in this neck of the woods, Marlingford, there isn’t a more reasonable, fair minded and balanced poster than you on TRF and even I have to acquiesce and “cave” in face of such civilised reasonableness!
No, you’re right, I love to rant, but I don’t actually think any the less of anyone for doing something different.
I’m actually an egalitarian and I don’t think anyone is any better – or any worse – than anyone else.
I’m also a bit of a throwback, the BBC and ITV7 crews back in the 1970s/80s were far from perfect, and they were of their time, but tbh in the post O’Sullevan/Wilson/Scott/Oaksey era I couldn’t warm to anyone of my own generation or, in later years, younger.
I think I made the decision to simply watch muted pictures of the live racing during COVID in 2020.
It’s challenging in big fields, but I have found overall it’s given my 40-year plus love of the game a new lease of life as I haven’t got anyone in my ear, so to speak, trying to tell me what’s going on when I can make my own mind up, thanks.
It’s quite weird when I actually go racing – like at Epsom last Tuesday – and can’t mute the tannoy!
But for all this I obviously appreciate the importance of ITV Racing to racing itself – it remains to this day the way into the sport for anyone not born into racing.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Ian, i think i’d give up reading this forum if people were being disrespectful to the Lad!
In honour of you! i was actually watching some of the snooker last night with the mute button on as i’m not a fan of Selby.I loved Wayward Lad, and my favourite memory is of him at Wetherby – back in the days when those big black fences were the scourge of the North – standing off outside the wings of the open ditch four out and landing way beyond it on the run to three out.
I actually cannot bear to watch replays of the 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
I’d tipped him in the Racing & Football Outlook, backed him win only at 12/1 and he looked like he had the race won jumping the last.
It’s my least favourite O’Sullevan commentary, Wayward Lad was giving her weight, while it seemed the world was celebrating it was a heartbreaker for me (possibly you too?)
That’s racing!
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Thanks Ian! I’m sure that race reading without the assistance (and influence) of a commentator is a useful skill that could help to provide an edge. Anyone who becomes proficient at this has my admiration.
‘Racing is extremely lucky to have ITV; long may it continue.’
Absolutely this. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, what other sport is live and free to air every single week, including all of the major events? In fact it’s the low grade dross that you have to pay for, the good stuff is free!
More politics is the last thing we need but do agree with Cork and Ian about the betting. Also do wonder how much of an issue this really is to people or is it another case of a vocal minority shouting very loudly? They’ll be coming for something else once they’ve finished with gambling.
You forgot to mention John Rickman and John Tyrell calling out the betting and midweek hand written ITV patent, in B&W of course.
“How much of an issue this really is to people or is it another case of a vocal minority shouting very loudly?”
Almost certainly the latter. But unfortunately television executives and advertisers tend to take more notice of social media opinion than the general public does.
ITV’s current contract runs until the end of 2026. My concern is it does not renew. Despite racing’s continued popularity as a spectator sport and day out, I can see broadcasters being put under more and more pressure to not show racing because of the animal rights and gambling issues. Advertisers may also come under pressure to not book slots during broadcasts (it already looks like the Derby struggled to attract a sponsor).
ITV could probably achieve similar Saturday afternoon ratings showing standard afternoon fare or a film. If ITV does not show racing, there is zero chance the anti-racing BBC will. I suspect there is no chance of today’s Channel 4 showing it either.
Without the involvement one of the main established channels, any terrestrial coverage of racing would be useless.
I think that’s a very good point Cork. It is a shame that the BBC will almost certainly not go near live racing coverage again as it does have the advantage of two main channels that are prominent on programme guides so clashes with other sports are less of an issue.
Channel 4 has expanded its sports coverage in recent years including some live England football matches so never say never but as you allude to it’s not the same Channel 4 that it was when it did have the racing rights. You could argue that their expanded sports coverage makes it less likely as racing will be trying to fit around what they already have.
Channel 5 anyone?
Enjoy terrestrial coverage while you can folks, you’ll miss it when it’s gone, although it should be noted that the National and the Derby are *currently* protected free to air events.
Biggest threat to terrestrial racing is a restriction on gambling adverts. C4 are happy with their audience numbers and advertisers are too. It may be true that they could get similar viewing figures, at least for lesser meetings, by whacking a film on but they wouldn’t get the targeted advertising that currently supports their racing coverage.
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