I hope C4 stick to their format and do not bring in any more of the BBC's ex-racing team.

As I mentioned in post #123, IMG will take over the production of C4's racing coverage, so they will have their own ideas of on-screen personnel they would like to enlist and whether Alastair Down or any of the current C4 on-screen team will continue under the new production remains to be seen (it must be noted that all of the production companies who battled for the C4 racing contract had Clare Balding down for the No.1 presenter in their tender documents they presented).

Besides Balding, the only other ex-BBC racing team member who I could see go to C4 for definite is Mick Fitzgerald. Richard Dunwoody and Rishi Persad are possibles at best.

I can see IMG trying to modernise the brand, so a rebrand to 4 Racing could happen and getting rid of McCririck. However I hear McCririck is on contract to Channel 4 rather than the production company so it's up to them whether they want him involved or not really.

The Channel 4 Racing brand is a strong, powerful one built up over many decades. They had a period as 'Channel 4 attheraces' and that didn't exactly work too well.

They would do well to maintain their strengths and look to build on that.

I welcome Clare on board and there's nothing wrong with freshening things up. It's been said on here that John Francome wants no part in the new setup (although I can find no evidence of it), and McCririck is already a part-timer, while one or two others are approaching retirement age anyway. Change could be natural rather than forced.

According to Charles Sale in the Daily Mail, Emma Spencer, Alice Plunkett and Tanya Stevenson will be retained in the new-look C4 racing team, with Francesca Cumani - daughter of former Derby-winning trainer Luca Cumani - being considered for working on features...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...rles-Sale.html

Also, John McCririck is earmarked to stay, but like as now, only on the big meetings. I wonder how well that will go down with the "ravishing" Clare Balding, as McCririck likes to call her?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...RLES-SALE.html

I know he's fallen out off fashion but I am going to miss Jim McGrath doing the race cometary. Am I going to be the only one to miss him!

Ken

Thought this thread revival would be about the absence of the Arc from terrestrial TV - the first time in 40 years it hasn't been on.

I hope Channel 4 pick it up next year - they've had the rights before and might have kept them had they not messed around with it when Football Italia became the priority.

C4 are now the only option giving the BBC have washed their hands of the sport.

Aussie Jim irritates me no end by keep saying 'possy' instead of 'position'.............

Other commentators seem to be picking it up as well...........it's an abomination !.........

Oh! You little Possy!!

Ken

Racing UK is free to air for the Arc meeting tomorrow on Freeview 231 and Sky 432. I hope this helps a little.

The Arc meeting is also on At The Races if you can receave that Channel on Sky or Cable.
Ian.

I read in the Racing Post recently that C4 were in negotiations with the French racing authorities about broadcasting the 2013 running (and even beyond).

IIRC the French racing authorities tend to only agree one-year deals with broadcasters; hence why BBC decided not to bother this year after losing the rights to show racing from next year back in March and in 2001, C4 showed the Arc after the BBC had covered it for the previous 6 years (and the subsequent next 10).

Thanks can get on Sky.

On Freeview is rubbish as via that streaming service with HD but does not work with my Humax HD PVR. Must get a very limited audience that way.

Afaik you need an internet connection from your TV, set top box or PVR to watch it on Freeview.

Out of interest who is covering the race in France

well then that explains why I listened to it on 5 live not watching it on freeview, why didn't they explain that before?

As soon as I see Charlie Sales' name on any story I am immediately suspicious. His track record for getting things wrong is about 99%. For years he described how the BBC was bidding for the Champions League until the BBC themselves had to say it was a load of horse manure

That may cover the female presenters, just wonder what the male set up would be?
Would they keep both Mike Cattermole and Alistar Down?
John Francome and the very monotone Jim Mccrath ( not the BBC commentator?)

I think Francome said he was leaving which is a shame as he is head and shoulders the best racing pundit around.

Per Sale:

- Holt to be lead C4 commentator next year
- Persad to be part of C4 team
- McGrath "likely" to be calling last big race tomorrow

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...rles-Sale.html

Difficult to argue with parts one and three. Simon Holt is one of the best commentators in all sports whilst Jim McGrath is past his best. There was zero chance of Holtbeing usurped and I can't see Jim McGrath accepting a minor role.

Holt, Machin and Hoiles are pretty much the best three there are, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Ian Bartlett have a role somewhere.

I think the presentation is where the new production company will make more of a difference. It looks like John Francombe has chosen to go (which is a shame) and I think they might try and give things a younger feel by sidelining John McCririck, Derek Thompson and Alistair Down.

Obviously Clare Balding is coming in as the main presenter and I expect they will keep on the exisiting female faces, I hope Nick Luck retains a prominent role as well. Would be a bit surprised if they bring Rishi Persaud in though, he's very bland.

You have got to tune in today for an end off an era. I hope Jim goes out on a high. I have enjoyed his commentary over the years.

Ken

Not only is it the Beeb's Ascot swansong, it's also their last ever Saturday afternoon horse racing coverage (The very last meeting they will cover - The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow - is on Thursday 27th December).

Willie Carson will also be bowing out; however he's critical of the rights holders' decision to go with Channel 4 and he - like most people - is not too keen on the incessant bookie ads every 10 minutes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rac...ad-jailed.html

Yesterday's Times has a 2 page spread article by Ashling O'Connor based on an interview with Simon Bazalgette (chief exective of Jockey Club).

The headlines are:

"Bazalgette believes that gamble on Channel 4 will pay dividend"

"The chief executive tells Ashling O'Connor that racing should benefit from switching horses in television stakes"

The above gives a flavour of the article and there is quite a bit in it on the theme of BBC only being interested in a few big days whereas C4 will provide a narrative throughout the year.

The above point has been made before but the article contains two other nuggets of information:

1) Balding will present "half of C4's 88 days per year"

2) There is a quote from Jamie Aitchison (C4 Sports editor) - refers to the ability to "punch into other parts of the schedule". O'Connor then says he (Aitchison) confirms that "cross-pollination is part of the vision". The article suggests that this COULD mean, eg, Jockeys appearing on Come Dine With Me. NB. It doesn't say specifically that will happen - it's just an example of the sort of thing that cross-pollination means. But it's clear C4 plans to somehow get racing into other parts of the schedule.