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It’s tough to balance , I do believe they need to concentrate more on the betting , let’s face it most people watching are doing so have had a bet
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Its an entertainment channel first and foremost so no chance that they are going to concentrate more on the betting aspect of the sport (especially considering the current climate).
As such, the product is never going to cater more to the dedicated racing fans because they know that they are going to watch the actual racing regardless but may switch off or mute the volume on other parts of the show that may not be of interest but are more designed to try to introduce new viewers to the sport.
I guess they also have to try and find that balance between educating new viewers on the basics of the sport whilst trying not to alienate the more knowledgeable fans of the sport at the same time (not an easy thing to do I am sure). I do like the banter/opinions between the jockeys (Ruby in particular) and especially the Home Schooling video segments (which show a different aspect of the sport and its participants) and you could see that as something that would appeal to new viewers. But just like even the dedicated racing channels, some presenters/segments leave me shaking my head at times but that is nothing new because that also happened with BBC Racing and CH4 Racing coverage back in the day too…….the more things change etc
The fact that ITV seems fully onboard with (year on year) bringing as much free to air racing (from as many tracks as possible) to our screens is a massive plus especially considering that we are now in a TV age where they don’t have to try and fit all the varied content across the entertainment spectrum onto just one main channel – had we still been in those days then racing would have had a very much reduced footprint and may have had a Saturday programme to show racing on special days only.
Putting up with some wanky segments and/or presenters is a small price to pay and as many have said, the mute button is your best friend for those times.
Great post LD73. Agree with all of that. People seem to forget the importance of terrestrial TV coverage. That Skelton seems to be the face of the ludicrous campaign to charge for trainer TV interviews is quite extraordinary considering he ought to appreciate the decline of showjumping after it lost the regular BBC slot better than most.
Thanks Tonge.
I am not actually against trainers being paid to be interviewed, they could easily have the same type of contractual deal that the jockeys have (with monies going to the NTF like the PJA get from the jockeys) – this is not even a new thing as most other sports have contractual obligations to where its participants are regularly made available to speak with media.
My issue is the mercenary way the PRA are trying to hold racing hostage/strong arm them into making a deal with boycotting threats, which at the end of the day will just hurt the sport and show once again that racing can’t even agree with its own without squabbling/infighting.
The fact that this also comes not long before ITV are due to come to the table to start negotiating a new terrestial rights deal is also worrying as you can well imagine ITV taking an extremely dim view of this……especially given that interviewing trainers is a big part of that curtain being pulled back a little to where we get a some insight into the horses they train.
Rarely watch the Opening Show and missed the first fifteen minutes but from what I saw today in the space of 60 minutes they discussed two races. Pretty sure the first fifteen minutes they didn’t discuss any as when I tuned in they were looking over the Ascot Chase.
The more I know the less I understand.
Perhaps if the riders demanded payment it would stop those stupid on track ‘interviews’ with a microphone pushed under the nose of the jockey a minute or two after the winner crossed the line?
good luck to allDidn’t the owners of Jingko Blue look fantastic the lady looked stunning.
The more I know the less I understand.
ITV Racing produced an excellent tribute passage to Michael O’Sullivan today. It finished with the tribute to O’Sullivan that was read out by the jockey’s girlfriend at his funeral…, and then immediately switched to one of those ghastly Paddy Power ‘talking horse’ adverts. THe ultimate in crassness.., just for once couldn’t they have left out the advert?
Ed Chamberlin – “I’m sure the Betfair Chase should be reduced in distance”
Regarding the Paddy Power adverts, have they done one yet that’s remotely funny? I see that dreadful one with Colm Meaney, Crouch & Co has reared its ugly head again.
The ad they did for the Women’s World Cup was funny (well I thought so). I didn’t mind the talking horses ads initially (given the poor quality of bookmaker TV advertising generally) even though they aren’t funny but they’ve been using the same ones for years now. Even if they had been comedy genius, we’d still all be sick of them now.
Morning line ITV 7 winner when asked why to give the ITV 7 a go “It gives you an interest in every race”
Not when my horse loses in the first race it doesn’t..
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
We want to hear the conversation, especially the live segments, not the P.A announcer!
Chucking in a race from Sedgefield!
Nothing like lowering the tone on day 1So ITV seemed to make the intro on day 1 an Irish affair!
The more I know the less I understand.
Malina Girl “behind an improver at Exeter” last time.
Thanks for that incisive comment Megan. Why not mention the name of that improver to give us some context at least!
Bloody useless.
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