ITV deal a boost for bookies with terrestrial coverage doubling race turnover

Leading bookmakers celebrated the news of ITV's new three-year contract to provide free-to-air coverage of British racing, with the broadcaster credited for widening the appeal of the sport and attracting bigger betting activity.

After lengthy negotiations, ITV secured a new contract to broadcast 94 days of coverage a year until at least the end 2023, with all major events shown on the network's main channel and most others on ITV4, a platform which has been described as a "huge" benefit to the business of major bookmakers.

ITV's viewing figures have been strong since the resumption of racing, including at Glorious Goodwood last week, with betting turnover also up. This season's later Derby weekend, which resulted in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown being moved to a Sunday slot, was reported as Ladbrokes Coral's biggest betting Flat weekend in history.