BBC to Broadcast British Champions Day Worldwide

December 21, 2010

After announcing that the distribution rights had been agreed by the BBC to air horse racing’s premier flat season climax event, British Champions Day, it has now been revealed that the broadcast company have obtained international rights to distribute worldwide. BBC have acquired the rights for the 2011 and 2012 event as part of the deal.

The new event concept will take place at Ascot in October of next year and will become the circuit’s richest card with a total prize fund of £3m (US$4.65m).

Danny O’Toole, acting sports sales manager at BBC Worldwide, said: “British Champions Day and British Champions Series mark the start of an exciting new era in British racing. This new race day and series promises to rejuvenate the sport and become a major television event, and with BBC Worldwide’s longstanding association with British racing, we’re thrilled to be taking the broadcast coverage to a new generation of racing fans worldwide.”

Karl Oliver, chief executive of British Champions Series, added: “We are delighted to be launching British Champions Series in 2011, which can have a hugely positive effect on the future of our sport.  We look forward to working with BBC Worldwide to develop British Champions Day into one of the world’s most famous race days and the fantastic new climax to the British racing’s premier flat season.”