Major Flat meetings will be hosted by Emma Spencer and Mike Cattermole
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.comBudget cuts force Channel 4 makeover
CHANNEL 4 on Thursday insisted that from bad will come good, after it was revealed to the Racing Post the broadcaster is slashing at least £800,000 a year from its racing budget and using the cuts to carry out "a vigorous makeover" of its coverage.
Despite the cuts, however, it is understood that the number of races and meetings shown will remain the same. But assuming the proposal is approved at a key meeting next week, Channel 4 - whose financially precarious position has left it vulnerable to partial sale or privatisation - will from the start of next month divide into two its presentation of the Flat and jumps seasons.
Alastair Down, Channel 4's long-standing anchor, is set to present all of the broadcaster's jump meetings along with Alice Plunkett. But the pair will then largely disappear from screens during the Flat season, when all the major meetings will be hosted by Mike Cattermole and Emma Spencer who, in turn, will be rested through the winter.
