ITV involved in exclusion of Sky Sports News from track

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

ITV Racing's initial viewing figures at the festival are on a par with last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

On the day Buveur D'Air secured a repeat success in the Champion Hurdle, ITV secured a repeat audience for the opening afternoon of its Cheltenham Festival coverage.

As in its debut festival year, ITV attracted an average of 0.8 million viewers, with a peak of 1.1m and 12 per cent audience share. For ITV4's The Opening Show there was a marginal gain, with a 91,000 average (2.1 per cent share), up on 2017's 86,000 (1.8 per cent share).

While the numbers have largely stayed the same, there seemingly has been a change in ITV's attitude to potential competitors.

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Published on 14 March 2018inReports

Last updated 15:53, 14 March 2018

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