C4 threatens to drop horse racing

net1

Channel 4 has threatened to pull the plug on its loss-making coverage at the end of next year, unless the sport helps to fund the broadcaster's TV rights and production costs.

Channel 4 head of sport David Kerr said its coverage was no longer sustainable because viewers were too old to attract enough advertising. He said there was an additional financial limits because TV coverage of the sport could not be sponsored by bookmakers under Ofcom rules. A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed it was considering ending its coverage, pointing out that in most other countries, the horse racing industry pays broadcasters to televise the sport.

"We spend several million pounds a year on production costs and rights. If the racing industry want us to carry on covering the sport, they are going to have to pay for it,” said the channel.