RACING will be screened on ITV1 and ITV4 from 2017 onwards, the commercial channel having secured a £30m deal over four years with the Racecourse Media Group. This brings to an end Channel 4’s 30-year relationship with the sport, declining viewing figures having effectively forced a change.

It is no surprise that Channel 4 Racing has given way, its poor performance having come under increasing scrutiny in recent times. The two abiding questions concern ITV’s chances of improving the situation and which broadcasters it will employ.