Broadcasters to embrace the Dubai World Cup and Randox Grand National crossover with extended coverage and a bespoke hybrid Crown Jewels Racing (CJR) programme
40 broadcasters to showcase both events in around 170 countries
Wednesday 2nd April - For the first time, two iconic race meetings - the Randox Grand National and the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline - will take place on the same day, this Saturday April 5th.
This unusual scheduling is primarily influenced by the timing of the holy month of Ramadan and a shorter three-week gap between the Aintree and Cheltenham Festivals. Adding to this, an unexpected UAE weather forecast of extreme heat has necessitated a one-hour adjustment to the Dubai World Cup schedule, prompting broadcasters to devise creative solutions to accommodate the unique clash between the two fixtures.
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and its appointed distribution agency, HBA Media, oversee the global non-betting TV distribution on behalf of Jockey Club Racecourses, such as Aintree, and the Dubai Racing Club, which stages the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse.
Together, RMG and HBA are offering international broadcasters the choice of:
· An international World Feed dedicated to either Aintree or Meydan.
· A Track Feed, which allows broadcasters to insert their own presentation.
· A hybrid Crown Jewels Racing programme - a marathon three-and-a-half-hour 'best of both worlds' option, which has caught the imagination of broadcasters globally.
These valuable broadcast packages have attracted around 40 broadcasters, across approximately 170 territories, with the majority opting for the bespoke CJR hybrid show produced by RMG.
With the Randox Grand National starting at 16:00 (BST), and with the Meydan adjustments, the CJR show will now transmit live from 15:30 – 19:00 (BST). Aly Vance will anchor from Aintree, and join the ITV coverage, fronted by Ed Chamberlin, used for the world-famous steeplechase, and the RMG coverage, anchored by Rishi Persad, live from Dubai.
RMG's director of communication and international distribution, Seb Vance explains: “This is a unique opportunity to showcase two high-profile events on the same day and allows us to deliver an action-packed spectacle to audiences worldwide, featuring two of the most thrilling and contrasting racedays on the calendar, along with their supporting cards, all within a dynamic three-and-a-half-hour window.”
Frank Sale, Chief Executive at HBA Media added: ‘We are pleased to have successfully navigated the challenge of showcasing two major events on the same day, ensuring an extensive global audience and uplift in distribution for both The Jockey Club and Dubai Racing Club, along with their sponsors.
“Through close collaboration with our broadcast partners internationally, alongside RMG, HBA will bring the excitement of both major races to 40+ networks worldwide with a specialised and tailored suite of programming options.”
Dickon White, Aintree and North-West Regional Director at The Jockey Club, said: “We have a truly global television audience, as befits the most famous Jumps race on the planet, and we’re grateful to RMG and HBA Media for making that happen. We hope our audiences around the world enjoy the 177th running of the Randox Grand National and what is one of the sport’s greatest spectacles.”
His Excellency, Mr Ali Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Dubai World Cup has attracted record interest, and all credit to RMG and HBA for ensuring this truly global audience. TV pictures, whether they are through mainstream channels, online or social media, provide the best possible shop window to the Dubai World Cup and is always a barometer of the event’s popularity.”
List of Grand National TV broadcasters (32 in total) include:
Asia and Australia: Green Channel* (Japan); Charlton (Israel); WeDo Sports (South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia); FanCode (India); Sky Racing, Racing.com, Trackside (Australasia)
Africa and Middle East: Dubai Racing Channel (MENA); SuperSport, Racing 240, Gallop (Africa)
Americas and Caribbean: NYRA, FOX Sports*, Fanduel (US); Sportsnet (Canada); ESPN / Disney+ (LATAM & Caribbean)
Europe: Eurovision (31 territories); Viaplay (Scandinavia & Netherlands); Equidia (France); EQUTV, Ippica (Italy); Polsat (Poland); ITV, Racing TV, Virgin Media (UK & Republic of Ireland); Setanta (Eurasia & Baltics); Silknet (Georgia); D-Smart (Turkey); WeDo Sports (Germany, Switzerland and Austria)
Global, News and Magazine programming: Sport 24 (planes and ships); CNN International; Reuters; TransWorld Sports
*recording
Broadcasters (41 in total) covering the Dubai World Cup fixture include:
Asia and Australia: Green Channel, Fuji TV, Kansai, Netkeiba (Japan); TVB, Cable TV, Now TV, HKJC TV (Hong Kong); STC TV (Singapore); Sport+ (Kazakhstan); WeDo TV (South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia); FanCode (India); Channel 7, Sky Thoroughbred Central, Racing.com, Trackside (Australasia)
Africa and Middle East: Dubai Racing Channel, Saudi Sports Channel, Yas TV (MENA); SuperSport, Racing 240 (Africa)
Americas and Caribbean: FOX Sports, Fanduel (US); Sportsnet (Canada); ESPN / Disney+ (LATAM & Caribbean)
Europe: Eurovision (31 territories); Viaplay (Scandinavia & Netherlands); Equidia (France); EQUTV (Italy); Match TV (Russia); Polsat (Poland); Racing TV, Virgin Media (UK & Republic of Ireland); Setanta (Eurasia & Baltics); Silknet (Georgia); D-Smart, TJK TV (Turkey); WeDo TV (Germany, Switzerland and Austria).
Global, News and Magazine programming: Sport 24 (planes and ships); CNN International; Reuters; TransWorld Sports
ENDS
