From the ITV7 to the demise of Channel 4: a brief history of racing on TV

ITV Racing profits will head south if those of the bookmakers are impacted

ITV: home of racing on British television since 2017Credit: Alan Crowhurst

April 1938
The BBC shows the first live race, the Derby at Epsom, with the Grand National at that time considered a bridge too far owing to the wide-open spaces of Aintree. The National wouldn't be broadcast live until 1960.

September 1955
ITV launches and starts broadcasting horseracing within weeks. It emerges as a serious competitor to the BBC over the next 30 years, especially with the launch of the 'ITV7' in which viewers have to pick the winners of the seven televised races on its World of Sport programme, the rival to Grandstand in which ITV housed its Saturday racing.

March 1984
ITV hands over its midweek portfolio to Channel 4 due to disappointing audience figures.

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Published on 3 August 2020inNews

Last updated 18:51, 3 August 2020

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