RACING: Armchair punters yesterday suffered a blow following news the Racing Channel is to close at the end of this month. Programming for the channel, owned by US sports broadcaster TRNI, is produced by Satellite Information Services (SIS), who also handle distribution.
SIS's chief executive David Holdgate said he had been informed of TRNI's decision following that company's failure to reach agreement for continued coverage of racing in Ireland.
Irish coverage ended on New Year's Day following the decision of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to end their permission for the Racing Channel to broadcast Irish racing free of charge, which had been allowed since May.
HRI demanded a guaranteed minimum income for the broadcast rights and TRNI decided against entering a bid.
The Racing Channel also own the broadcasting rights revenues for the 10 British racecourses which come under the banner of GG Media. Meetings from the 10 tracks involved will continue to be broadcast into Britain's betting shops via SIS.
Meanwhile, prospects for turf racing in Britain tomorrow hinge on inspections at Ascot, Warwick and Uttoxeter this morning. Uttoxeter postponed a decision until 9.30 a.m. after taking a look at 3.30 p.m. yesterday.
All three courses need to escape frost to give them a chance of racing. Ascot, due to stage the Victor Chandler Chase, are to inspect at 9 a.m. but are not hopeful of racing with the course still frozen in places and temperatures forecast to dip again tonight to minus two or minus three.
