Friday December 14, 2012
Racecourse Media Group to manage Ascot's media rights from 2014
Ascot today announces that from 12th June 2014 it will join Racecourse Media Group (RMG, the parent company of Racing UK TV), which will be responsible for the distribution of all of the racecourse's media rights in the UK and overseas.
In conjunction with this, racing from Ascot will transfer to Racing UK TV from At The Races (ATR) prior to Royal Ascot 2014.
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, said: "After careful consideration we have decided to extend our relationship with RMG, with whom we recently negotiated the exclusive terrestrial television contract with Channel 4. We have also partnered with the RMG courses since 2007 in the provision of our pictures to betting shops through Turf TV.
"We have had an excellent and productive relationship with At The Races since 2004 and are most grateful for all they have done for us.
"Enabling a large percentage of the best of British racing to be promoted by one entity and showcased through one satellite broadcaster mirrors the thinking behind the Channel 4 deal, and it should benefit initiatives like the QIPCO British Champions Series."
Richard FitzGerald, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ascot to the RMG family. The racecourse's tremendous racing and global reputation is a natural fit alongside the quality output from our other 33 racecourses.
"We look forward to working closely with Johnny Weatherby, Charles Barnett and their team in further enhancing media revenues for the course.
"We aim to deliver the highest production and presentation values worthy of one of the best racecourses in the world which will only further add to the Racing UK viewer's experience.
"As Racing UK is 100% owned by our shareholder racecourses, all profits are reinvested in the sport. The agreement will benefit Ascot, RMG's racecourses, the racing community and the sport as a whole.
"We are relishing the opportunity of working together to promote the very best of what British racing has to offer."
Ends Notes to editors: Please find attached a link to photos for use with editorial. http://ascot.thirdlight.com/viewcontainer.tlx?containerid=14322500651&hom e=1
ABOUT RMG RMG is the umbrella organisation for the 33 racecourses which hold an interest in Racing UK TV (Sky 432/Virgin 536), Turf TV (betting shop service), GBI Racing (international betting shop service) and Racing Plus newspaper. For more information go to www.racecoursemediagroup.com.
The RMG racecourses are: Aintree, Ascot (from 2014), Ayr, Bangor, Beverley, Carlisle, Cartmel, Catterick Bridge, Cheltenham, Chester, Epsom Downs, Exeter, Goodwood, Hamilton Park, Haydock Park, Huntingdon, Kelso, Kempton Park, Ludlow, Market Rasen, Musselburgh, Newbury, Newmarket, Nottingham, Perth, Pontefract, Redcar, Salisbury, Sandown Park, Thirsk, Warwick, Wetherby, Wincanton and York. Recent RMG press releases:
British racing announces exclusive domestic TV rights deal with Channel 4 RMG, Ascot and Dubai Media sign distribution deal to show British racing in the Middle East Pitch International signs global distribution deals with RMG and Ascot to showcase British racing Welsh Rugby Chief Executive appointed non-executive director of RMG
Contact: Seb Vance RMG/Racing UK Head of Press and PR T: 020 7592 0465 E: [email protected]
ABOUT ASCOT Ascot Racecourse is the UK's premier racecourse and host to 26 race days throughout the year including Royal Ascot, the premier meeting of the Flat Season, featuring seven Group One races. Ascot also stages the £1 million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair), the most important mile-and-a-half race open to three- year-olds and upwards in Britain. Ascot also stages the industry joint venture, QIPCO British Champions Day, at over £3 million Britain's most valuable raceday, in October. Contacts:
Charles Barnett Chief Executive, Ascot T: +44 (0) 7711 880123
Nick Smith Head of Communications & International Racing, Ascot T: +44 (0)7771 791 449 E: [email protected]
Images - (c) RPM