Tote Cheltenham Festival TV Rescue

The Cheltenham Festival will continue to be broadcast by Channel 4 thanks to the Tote Cheltenham Festival TV Rescue package ensuring the continued broadcast of Channel 4 Racing in 2006. The agreement, which takes effect from January 1st next year, will see the tote become official sponsors of both Channel 4 Racing and The Morning Line.The Channel 4 coverage of the Cheltenham Festival is one of the main reasons why the festival has gained such popularity over the last decade. Under the terms of the one-year agreement, which the tote and racecourses also have an option to renew for 2007, Channel 4 has guaranteed live coverage of racing will be broadcast every Saturday and on selected weekdays, taking in the festivals at York, Chester, Newmarket and Cheltenham.Good news for the Cheltenham Festival and punters especially as the very popular Morning line will continue each morning of the Cheltenham festival. This will bring the total days of live broadcasting will be 74 days of racing action. David Scott, Channel 4's Deputy Chief Executive, commented: "This is great news for our many loyal viewers, who can continue to enjoy extensive free to air televised racing. We always wanted to keep racing on 4 but we had to find a way of eliminating the sizeable commercial downside of broadcasting the sport and this deal does just that. I would like to thank Peter Jones, Trevor Beaumont and David Thorpe for making this possible."Trevor Beaumont, the tote's CEO, said: "I am pleased that the tote has been able to lead the call to action which enables our customers in particular and racing viewers in general to continue to benefit from the excellent terrestrial Channel 4 coverage of the sport. It further demonstrates to the racing industry as a whole the value of having a commercial and independently minded tote business."Tote chairman, Peter Jones, said: "I am delighted the tote is able to sponsor racing on Channel 4 and that the racing industry as a whole has seen the benefits that accrue from terrestrial coverage. We look forward to a fruitful long-term relationship as sponsors of Channel 4."

Other Cheltenham Festival News

06 Jul 2005	Cloone River Festival Favourite
12 Jun 2005	Ladbroks Cheltenham Festival Woe
09 Jun 2005	Cheltenham Festival Limits Crowds
17 Mar 2005	Moscow - Different Class
16 Mar 2005	Hardy - Very Hardy
15 Mar 2005	Champion Hurdle Day 1 Highlight
12 Mar 2005	Fallon for Festival
10 Mar 2005	Best Mate Out
07 Mar 2005	Best back to Best
07 Mar 2005	Harchibald Champion Drifter