BBC to lose its racing coverage.

Agree, I actually would prefer her to present C4 racing

 

The BBC has lost so much top notch sport over the past few years that them now forfeiting all their racing coverage is hardly a shock. Everytime it happens there is always a general outcry but the situation quickly calms itself down and in almost all cases the coverage proves better for the transfer.

I’m no fan of Claire Balding at all and think that compared to the last 2 presenters of the BBC’s Grand National coverage (dear old Des Lynam and that game old bird Sue Barker) she is poor as she lacks their warmth, sense of humour and interviewing skills. I don’t think she’d fit in at all at Channel 4 and anyway they are hardly likely to axe the lovely Ems Spencer (which they would have to do if Miss Balding was to maintain her current presenting role).

On Derek ‘Thommo’ Thompson there is a fantastic spoof piece in today’s ‘Racing Post’ about him commentating on the ‘Royal Procession’ at Ascot. Such pearlers as ‘oh I say, what a lovely frock’ (back in the day that was my number 1 chat-up line incidentally) and ‘wow, that’s an outstanding piece of carriage driving’!

 

although the Channel 4 coverage is now better than the BBC this is still not good news for racing.

The Grand National on the BBC like it or not makes it a big event. when it transfers to CH4 the viewing figures will decline.

also the BBC show all royal ascot races these days either on BBC1 or 2 or the red button. I dont expect that CH4 will show much after 4pm. Might also impact on times and coverage of other races for example at Epsom.

in terms of personnel the only loss is Clare Balding. The others such as John Parrott (thought he was a snooker player?!) I will be glad to see the back of. I do hope that they keep Big Mac though - I know he can be a bloody pain sometimes but he can be very knowledgeable when it comes to winners of previous races for example

 

Bit more on Claire's future here: http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/clare-balding-balding-in-no-rush-following-racings-bbc-axe/1002913/top/

 

does anyone know if Channel 4 will also take over coverage of Arc day in Paris?
also maybe if they show the Welsh National over Christmas they might also show an extra day of the King George meeting at Kempton

 

I definitely think Channel 4 need a rethink of their coverage. They should definitely pick a familiar team and stick with it. For me Derek Thompson, Alistair Down, John Francome, Jim McGrath and John McCririck are the cornerstone to their coverage. The rest of their current team are all dispensable. Bringing in Clare Balding to anchor would be a wise move.

Definitely agree that Channel 4 should be showing all races from festivals such as Cheltenham and Royal Ascot but I don't give a cr*p about the telling of the 'British Champion Series story'. As far as I can see the only thing that benefits is Qipco, Rod Street and Ascot and British racing could do a lot better without them and the lame duck Champions Day.

 

I still think Channel 4 could still try and sign Carson and Balding. Im not realy a big fan of either, but as a pair because of the massive height difference, they do have that element of comedy about them. So channel 4 officials may feel that they appeal more to a wider audience.

I do find channel 4s coverage very dull and old fashioned, like when they play that stupid music, for the trophy presentations. I think there whole coverage needs a complete revamp, maybe get some younger presenters in, with abit more charisma about them. I just don't think there programe has any appeal to the next generation of viewers

 

Channel 4 could actually make a fortune from the Royal Ascot coverage alone. As no one is allowed to sponsor a race at the meeting, and no corporate branding is allowed on the racecourse, advertisers will be falling over themselves to get their product in during the (many, many, many) ad breaks.

 

PN, if the rapid increase of Bookmaker adverts through the Cheltenham week are anything to go by, its 20 million very well spent.

 

The only good thing about this would be if Channel 4 dumped Romeo and Juliet (Cattermole and Spencer) during their flat coverage, and replaced them with Clare Balding.
Emma Spencer might be good to look at but she is a p!ss poor presenter and is never going to improve.

 

C4 should get Clare Balding onto the team. She knows her stuff (and how to behave round the horses) and she asks sensible questions. They should ditch Alice, Emma and Lesley who would drive any sane person to a serious drink problem, and also McCririck who should never be let loose on tv again (he was told to shut up by Matt Chapman on the ATR Sunday Forum yesterday!)

 

BBC have no interest in sport coverage anymore, like every other public service they are on a huge cost containment/reduction exercise and cannot be seen to increase spend on minority/non mainstream sports like Racing.
It is kind of sad, when I was at Cheltenham I spent a good hour in the Hall of Fame and museum where they show footage of famous races and of course they're all Peter O'Sullivan commentated, the BBC has an attachment with racing but I do think it's time to move on if the deal is beneficial for racing.
Grand National coverage has become irritating on BBC as there has been a drive towards contantly interviewing anyone remotely famous regardless of their lack of racing links and the endless fashion talk - racing has become almost secondary, and don't get me started on Royal Ascot !!!
Good news I think, CH4 have been broadcasting UK racing for almost 30 years and are committed to the sport so for me it has to be good news....

 

The majority of people who watch TV are woman, and the majority of woman don't like sport, that's why sport keeps decreasing, and soaps, and talent shows with judges keep increasing

 

I was very happy when I heard the news that Channel 4 will broadcast all the meetings. The BBC have too many poor presenters with the exception of Clare Balding who I think would suit channel 4 really well. For me, I am not bothered that Channel 4 have commercial breaks because they still have a suitable build up to most of the races including the big races of the day.
One of the main advantages of this is that Channel 4 may add extra coverage to the big meeting on Channel 4's sister service More 4. This would be excellent news for 2013 because everybody will have to have a freeview TV by September, so no-one can possibly moan that some of the coverage may move. An example of this is the Dubai World Cup in a fortnight - this race has been moved to More 4.
As for commentating, Simon Holt is undoubtedly my Number 1 commentator and will always be, but I do hope that John Hunt becomes number two commentator because he is excellent and I know that he got big praise for when he was calling at Ffos Las on Saturday, but I thought he was absolutely sensational at the Northumberland Plate meeting last year. A thoroughly professional commentator. Obviously, there will be a point where Channel 4 cannot rely on Simon Holt all of the time, and this is why they'll have to start thinking about a Back-Up person. Although, Richard Hoiles and Stuart Machin are the current number 2's, I do feel that they are slightly weak in a finish.
I do think Channel 4 have a strong team at the Moment, but Lesley Graham has to go. She is utterly useless and doesn't even have a reason for selecting horses. Clare Balding would be ideal as the Morning Line assistant to Nick Luck. McGrath should stay, along with Francome, but Alastair Down has to go as well. He has clearly become a long lost veteran to channel 4. I am fine with Tommo, he brings something different to the programme, but I would want Matt Chapman to Join Channel 4. There would be too may personality clashes.
Now, I may get criticised for this, but I do not like these two sets of duos who are assigned to the flat and Jump seasons. I would rather have alterations between the presenters so that it doesn't become to boring seeing the same people every week. It is so easy to mix around the presenters and this is the way forward. Mike is a good presenter, but Spencer is in the wrong job, she should audition for Gok's fashion fix. As for Plunkett, I find her a bit boring and when she is on the Morning Line, it is an episode to forget. It would be nice to see Clare working with all of the presenters and I do hope she isn't assigned to a flat or jump season.

 

I agree with most of your comments Sparky.

certainly for the big meetings then extra races should transfer to More4.
whether they actually will remains to be seen. After all it is only a few years before the channel nearly gave up on the sport altogether. this has to still be a concern, but at the moment it looks promising.

this is the ideal time to ditch Lesley Graham - replace her with Clare Balding who would do a good job of presenting Royal Ascot. As you say get Emma Spencer to take on the fashion role.