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Horse Racing on Terrestrial TV
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Darren Lethem
15-11-2015
I may be in the minority here but I cannot bare Matt Chapman. Turn ATR off when he comes on. Awful. Smug, arrogant, self obsessed and fancies himself as a comedian. I wouldn't have him near ATR let alone Channel 4
Neil_Harris
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“I may be in the minority here but I cannot bare Matt Chapman. Turn ATR off when he comes on. Awful. Smug, arrogant, self obsessed and fancies himself as a comedian. I wouldn't have him near ATR let alone Channel 4”

No you're not. I hear a lot of this from people.
Chappers is a bit of a marmite character.
Ellis-Gardener
15-11-2015
The sooner Emma Spencer, Rishi Persad, Graham Cunningham & Nick Luck are disposed of the better.

Emma Spencer is an idiot, she has 3 facial expressions, 2 points of view & about 1 question.

Rishi Persad is possibly the worst TV presenter since Ortis Deeley, and that is saying something!

Nick Luck is an odious prick.

Graham Cunningham is a model for a certain 'shirt manufacturer'

RIP C4 Racing, it was always poor, but now it is unwatchable.
TML is a joke, the main event (C4 Racing) is a bigger joke.
But never mind, Gok Wan will tell you what the 'celebs' are wearing in the winners enclosure!
mrlover
15-11-2015
Matt maybe popular with the viewers but he isn't with certain areas of racing particularly Racing UK, C4 is made by the same people as RUK and they mainly have use RUK courses.

When Matt did an unsuccessful stint as a commentator about two years ago RUK bosses bluntly said they did not want him commentating on any of their courses.

Channel 4 racing is mainly fronted by RUK presenters like Nick Luck and Richi Persad, they only people they tend to use from ATR are Gina Bryce and Mick Fitzgerald but they are not the main team.

When the new contract came in ATR presenters, Mike Cattermole, Derek Thompson and John McCririck were out the door.

There is no way Chapman will ever front Channel 4 racing while RUK bosses have a say.
Armagideon Time
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by mrlover:
“Matt maybe popular with the viewers but he isn't with certain areas of racing particularly Racing UK, C4 is made by the same people as RUK and they mainly have use RUK courses.

When Matt did an unsuccessful stint as a commentator about two years ago RUK bosses bluntly said they did not want him commentating on any of their courses.

Channel 4 racing is mainly fronted by RUK presenters like Nick Luck and Richi Persad, they only people they tend to use from ATR are Gina Bryce and Mick Fitzgerald but they are not the main team.

When the new contract came in ATR presenters, Mike Cattermole, Derek Thompson and John McCririck were out the door.

There is no way Chapman will ever front Channel 4 racing while RUK bosses have a say.”

Racing UK's parent company is Racecourse Media Group (RMG), who was one of the four parties in the negotiating deal which saw racing removed from the BBC. The others were Jockey Club Racecourses (all of whose tracks are on RUK), British Champions Series (for all the big flat races in that series - all of which are on Racing UK apart from the St Leger at ATR-covered Doncaster) and Ascot. All of the parties wanted C4 to be the sole terrestrial home of horse racing from 2013, but Ascot were reluctant to join (understandably), but reluctantly gave in and it was also around that time that Ascot announced their move from ATR to RUK in June 2014 to coincide with the Royal meeting.
Jamie Jay
15-11-2015
It's simple the jockey club racecourses and RUK are so up their own backsides they do not care about the man on the street.

Chapman is by far the best presenter for racing. Entertains, knows his stuff and is not slow in asking the proper questions the viewers want asked.

Maybe he will front the racing when ITV win the next contract?
Darren Lethem
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“It's simple the jockey club racecourses and RUK are so up their own backsides they do not care about the man on the street.

Chapman is by far the best presenter for racing. Entertains, knows his stuff and is not slow in asking the proper questions the viewers want asked.

Maybe he will front the racing when ITV win the next contract?”

Couldn't disagree more. Awful presenter and about as funny as gout. And as for being up backsides, I think he is up his own. Very arrogant
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Couldn't disagree more. Awful presenter and about as funny as gout. And as for being up backsides, I think he is up his own. Very arrogant”

I don't know if anyone saw Nick Luck being interviewed by Thommo on ATR the other week about his horse but Luck basically was his usually snobby self, Thommo did a lame joke about Luck finally appearing on ATR and Luck looked like he just wanted to get away he was snarly and looked like it was too much trouble, he sums up Racing UK, Jockey Club, RMG.

They know they own everything, they want what they don't have ie Irish racing and a bigger portion into the all weather racing.

Matt Chapman is not what the RMG/Jockey Club want and they will never have him presenting from their courses they will make sure any broadcaster does not employ him before they agree the rights.
swingaleg
15-11-2015
Used to enjoy Tony Ennis presenting on ATR but he seems to have disappeared lately

Of course Hayley Turner is joining the ATR team soon, not sure in what capacity
casinoman13
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by mrlover:
“I don't know if anyone saw Nick Luck being interviewed by Thommo on ATR the other week about his horse but Luck basically was his usually snobby self, Thommo did a lame joke about Luck finally appearing on ATR and Luck looked like he just wanted to get away he was snarly and looked like it was too much trouble, he sums up Racing UK, Jockey Club, RMG.

They know they own everything, they want what they don't have ie Irish racing and a bigger portion into the all weather racing.

Matt Chapman is not what the RMG/Jockey Club want and they will never have him presenting from their courses they will make sure any broadcaster does not employ him before they agree the rights.”

Yes I did, by luck as I was switching channels but I really enjoyed Thommo interviewing a guy who thinks he s god's gift to horse racing.

Your right he was, or seemed, totally uninterested about being interviewed almost as if he was turning his nose up at some of the questions.
Neil_Harris
15-11-2015
For the Matt Chapman haters. Watch him on Monday teatime, on the line. An hour talking to the public. He knows punters, he understands them.
I get why people dislike him, but C4 needs punters watching. He is the answer
Jamie Jay
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Neil_Harris:
“For the Matt Chapman haters. Watch him on Monday teatime, on the line. An hour talking to the public. He knows punters, he understands them.
I get why people dislike him, but C4 needs punters watching. He is the answer”

Racing fans will have ATR and RUK so they need someone to connect with the more casual man/woman.

An ideal combo would be Chapman on the BBC but they are not going to take all the racing every weekend.

Maybe ITV with the main racing on ITV1 and the other meetings on ITV4.

Ultimately I don't really care as I will watch it on the main two racing channels anyway.
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by casinoman13:
“Yes I did, by luck as I was switching channels but I really enjoyed Thommo interviewing a guy who thinks he s god's gift to horse racing.

Your right he was, or seemed, totally uninterested about being interviewed almost as if he was turning his nose up at some of the questions.”

I thought RUK and ATR had grown out of this childishness especially as they have worked together recently on the international tv agreement and working together on broadcasting sharing to save money.

I will be surprised if both channels are still around in a few years, RUK has signed a deal with SIS which leave ATR and ARC in limbo and if the tv rights for Irish Racing don't go ATR's way in 2017 could be problems for the channel, Punchestown were not happy with the last deal and if you saw the racing today they have sponsorship of Racing UK at the winning post.

ATR needs to not lose anymore tracks in the 2017/18 tv rights, they need to hang onto courses like Ripon and Newton Abbot and make some deals but it's difficult for them, they obviously cannot get the big tracks, the Yorkshire tracks do not like ATR for the way ATR tried to blackmail them into signing for them in 2004 against RUK.

Only way is for ARC to buy some independents before the rights come up but will the Ruben Brothers be interested in more courses?
Neil_Harris
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“Racing fans will have ATR and RUK so they need someone to connect with the more casual man”

Only pros have racing UK. Last figure I saw was 50,000.
casinoman13
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by mrlover:
“I thought RUK and ATR had grown out of this childishness especially as they have worked together recently on the international tv agreement and working together on broadcasting sharing to save money.

I will be surprised if both channels are still around in a few years, RUK has signed a deal with SIS which leave ATR and ARC in limbo and if the tv rights for Irish Racing don't go ATR's way in 2017 could be problems for the channel, Punchestown were not happy with the last deal and if you saw the racing today they have sponsorship of Racing UK at the winning post.

ATR needs to not lose anymore tracks in the 2017/18 tv rights, they need to hang onto courses like Ripon and Newton Abbot and make some deals but it's difficult for them, they obviously cannot get the big tracks, the Yorkshire tracks do not like ATR for the way ATR tried to blackmail them into signing for them in 2004 against RUK.

Only way is for ARC to buy some independents before the rights come up but will the Ruben Brothers be interested in more courses?”

Your right if they lose irish racing then that could be the road to disaster for the channel, could you imagine the gaps in their coverage when they have no English racing to cover.

ATR problem's started mounting when they lost Perth and Ascot, lose anymore certainly on top of Irish racing, if they do lose it, then they will have an almighty struggle to survive.
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Neil_Harris:
“Only pros have racing UK. Last figure I saw was 50,000.”

50,000 but is that active users or people who have subscribed at some point.

If RUK has 50,000 active then it mirrors ATR really as this is there latest viewing figures:
1 BREEDERS CUP 2015 (SAT 1541) 41 n/a
2 RACEDAY LIVE (THU 1233) 41 n/a
3 RACEDAY LIVE (FRI 1217) 41 n/a
4 RACEDAY LIVE (TUE 1231) 38 n/a
5 GET IN! BREEDERS CUP SPECIAL (FRI 1659) 36

As i understand it RUK are happy with their subscriber numbers and ATR are happy with their courses not appearing on Channel 4 as they said Ascot was not a big deal when they lost it as it was always on Channel 4 at the same time so it didn't bring in many extra viewers.
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by casinoman13:
“Your right if they lose irish racing then that could be the road to disaster for the channel, could you imagine the gaps in their coverage when they have no English racing to cover.

ATR problem's started mounting when they lost Perth and Ascot, lose anymore certainly on top of Irish racing, if they do lose it, then they will have an almighty struggle to survive.”

Not just that the Reuben Brothers will just sell the racecourses to developers so it is in racings interest to keep ATR going.

If ATR goes racing will be in danger as people will not subscribe to RUK and it will become just a channel no one goes near.

The three channels all need each other, ATR & C4 keeps interest in racing which keeps RUK in business.

I am surprised RUK's domination of the best courses was never challenged and the courses split into deals like Premier League is any other businesses which controlled the racecourse rights like ATR and RUK do would be investigated.

If you set up a channel and wanted to buy the rights there is no way either group would sell them to you, look at Ffos Las S4C wanted to broadcast it on Saturday and C4 said no we have the rights despite the fact C4 never shows Ffos Las.

The whole rights needs investigating.
Neil_Harris
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by mrlover:
“50,000 but is that active users or people who have subscribeds.”

50,000 paying customers
Jamie Jay
15-11-2015
If RUK won the Irish Racing it would have to set up another channel to avoid clashes. So would the cost of doing this and for the rights offset the extra subscribers they would get?

If they did get Irish then ATR be more or less finished.

I guess racing despite being a popular sport to go and watch is not so attractive on satellite TV. If it was then BT would have snapped up RUK as part of its package of sports channels by now.
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“If RUK won the Irish Racing it would have to set up another channel to avoid clashes. So would the cost of doing this and for the rights offset the extra subscribers they would get?

If they did get Irish then ATR be more or less finished.

I guess racing despite being a popular sport to go and watch is not so attractive on satellite TV. If it was then BT would have snapped up RUK as part of its package of sports channels by now.”

They would have set up a separate channel, laughed at ATR and then when it wasn't popular they would have cherry picked the best races and closed the separate channel down and put them on RUK occassionally, like when they had the South African rights and never showed it.

Basically RUK wants what it doesn't have they are greedy and want full control.
Jamie Jay
15-11-2015
The biggest thing that frustrates me about both channels is how they work with the fixture list compilers.

Nothing worse than during Cheltenham festival week when after the race of the day RUK have to go straight over to Huntingdon. At the same time ATR have no meetings in the afternoon.

Then during the Punchestown festival ATR send Chapman over and his interviews are hardly played out because they have Newton Abbott or something similar to squeeze in alongside the adverts.

So basically ATR and RUK should work it that for the main festivals there are no other meetings to cover. There are enough blank days for them to get the BHA and other courses to swap.
mrlover
15-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“The biggest thing that frustrates me about both channels is how they work with the fixture list compilers.

Nothing worse than during Cheltenham festival week when after the race of the day RUK have to go straight over to Huntingdon. At the same time ATR have no meetings in the afternoon.

Then during the Punchestown festival ATR send Chapman over and his interviews are hardly played out because they have Newton Abbott or something similar to squeeze in alongside the adverts.

So basically ATR and RUK should work it that for the main festivals there are no other meetings to cover. There are enough blank days for them to get the BHA and other courses to swap.”

They have no control over the fixtures or times like yesterday Punchestown 5 mins before Uttoxeter luckily Uttoxeter held the races up.

There is some kind of strange thing at the BHA that they do not take the tv channels into account when deciding the fixtures.

The only ones who have a say are Channel 4, Channel 4 can dictate the times of races and the other channels have to fit in.

It must frustrate the hell out of RUK and ATR seeing the fixtures and times but it is never looked into.

The bookies also have no say and get upset when two races coincide.
swingaleg
16-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“The biggest thing that frustrates me about both channels is how they work with the fixture list compilers.”

Similarly when a channel has no fixtures...........RUK has no meetings today and none tomorrow. No live racing for 2 days

ATR has 3 meetings today and 4 tomorrow

There must be other days when RUK has 3 or 4 and ATR just 1 or none

You'd think TV coverage is something the Fixture compilers would bear in mind
Dancc
16-11-2015
Originally Posted by Jamie Jay:
“It's simple the jockey club racecourses and RUK are so up their own backsides they do not care about the man on the street.

Chapman is by far the best presenter for racing. Entertains, knows his stuff and is not slow in asking the proper questions the viewers want asked.

Maybe he will front the racing when ITV win the next contract?”

I worry about the possibility of Jeremy Kyle, who is supposedly a big horse racing fan...
Aftershow
16-11-2015
I appreciate Chapman isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he is undoubtedly the best option to be the face of racing broadcasting. As someone said above, a key thing is that he understands punters. He is engaging, enthusiastic, opinionated and is willing to speak his mind about things that others won't.

That last one is a primary reason why the usual interests wouldn't want him in such a role. Conversely, Mick Fitzgerald adds almost nothing to the coverage but is completely inoffensive (and he is a decent bloke), so is a perfect option.
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