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Channel 4, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), BBC, Northern Racing, Arena, Ascot and Ripon are delighted to announce that they have secured live terrestrial coverage of horseracing from 2010 to 2012 inclusively.

The three-year partnership will guarantee around 80 days a year of terrestrial coverage of horseracing on C4 and a further 13 on BBC.

The arrangements comprise of four three-year deals:

• RMG , Arena, Northern, Ascot and Ripon and C4 – to show c. 80 days racing on Channel 4 per year
• RMG and BBC – to show the Grand National and Derby meetings
• BBC and Ascot – to show the track’s three showpiece flat meetings
• BBC and Northern Racing – to show Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National Day

Channel 4's The Morning Line will continue every Saturday followed by afternoon racing, plus a number of midweek highlights such as:

• Cheltenham Festival
• Glorious Goodwood
• Chester
• York
• Newmarket

In addition, Channel 4 will show major jumps meetings from Ascot, Haydock Park and Uttoxeter, and also continue to offer its own dedicated racing website.

The BBC deal includes a minimum of 13 days:

• John Smith's Grand National meeting from Aintree (3 days)
• Investec Derby meeting from Epsom (2 days)
• Royal Ascot (5 days)
• Betfair King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes meet from Ascot (1 day)
• Queen Elizabeth II Stakes meeting from Ascot (1 day)
• Coral Welsh Grand National from Chepstow (1 day)

Will Wyatt, Chairman of RMG, said: “The racecourses are delighted to secure a new terrestrial television deal.

“It has been a long journey to arrive at this point but it has certainly been worth the effort from all parties. It is particularly pleasing to see all the racecourses with different interests working together, alongside the Levy Board, as part of one agreement.

“There can’t be many countries in the world that can boast more terrestrial coverage.

“Despite the current economic climate, it shows that the broadcasters and racing are willing to invest in the sport and guarantee its place as a mainstream sport on terrestrial TV.

“In return, racecourses will receive maximum exposure on a sustainable commercial basis.

“We look forward to a fruitful three years with Channel 4 and BBC as we work together to maintain and indeed raise horseracing’s profile up to 2012 and then hopefully beyond.”

Andrew Thompson, Channel 4’s Racing Consultant, commented: “I am delighted that we have made such positive progress. Channel 4 has been the home of UK racing for many years – delivering quality sporting spectacle every week of the year.

“We want to continue to be that home going forwards, and work in partnership with all the racecourses to secure its continued terrestrial base.

“Channel 4 will continue to work ever closer with the sport to produce the most compelling coverage for the widest possible audience for the next three years.”

Dominic Coles, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Journalism Group, said: "We are delighted to have secured continuing coverage for these prime racing days in the UK, and look forward to showcasing the best that the sport has to offer in a way that will attract both committed followers and new audiences.“