Racecourse Media Group renews audiovisual and data rights with 33 British racecourses

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has signed long-term extensions for its audiovisual and data rights with 33 British shareholder racecourses, agreed on 5 October 2026. The contracts extend RMG's full portfolio of rights —including streaming, direct home broadcasts, terrestrial television, international betting and non-betting rights, and pre-race and race day data— until 31 December 2033. Additionally, the agreements ensure that iconic events on the British calendar will remain in RMG's portfolio until at least 2034.

Contract extension and timeline: what was signed and until when

The 33 racecourses have accepted a new five-year term early, despite their original rights expiring in December 2028. The renewal package covers all facets of RMG's offering: the Watch & Bet streaming platform; direct home broadcasting; terrestrial television distribution; and international commercial rights for both betting and non-betting markets. It also includes pre-race and race day data rights that RMG markets and supplies to operators and media.

The signing racecourses include Jockey Club Racecourses, York Racecourse, Goodwood, and Ayr, alongside 16 smaller independent racecourses. RMG describes the operation as a clear endorsement of its ownership model by the racecourses.

Guaranteed events and international scope

Among the major events confirmed within the agreement are the Randox Grand National, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Betfred Derby, the Qatar Sussex Stakes, and the Juddmonte International Stakes. RMG indicates that these events will continue to be part of its offering until at least 2034.

The package also includes the international exploitation of rights for both betting markets and non-betting markets, keeping open the opportunity for commercialization outside the UK and potential negotiations with international broadcasters and operators.

Statements from key RMG and racecourse figures

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our shareholder racecourses for the trust they have once again shown in RMG," said Conor Grant, outgoing chairman of RMG. "Their collective commitment is a powerful endorsement of the ownership model they created in 2004 and demonstrates the value that can be achieved when racecourses work together in the long-term interest of British racing."

Nick Mills, chief executive officer of Racecourse Media Group, stated: "As a company wholly owned by its shareholder racecourses, every pound of profit generated by RMG is returned to the racecourses, helping sustain prizes, facilities, and investment across the sport." Mills emphasized that the renewals provide a strong platform for continued revenue growth and maximizing returns for shareholders.

Jim Mullen, chief executive of The Jockey Club, added that RMG "has delivered significant value from media and data rights for over two decades," and that those returns have supported investment in prizes and facilities at The Jockey Club's managed venues.

William Derby, chief executive of York Racecourse, highlighted York's foundational role as a founding member of Racing UK in 2004 and celebrated the extension of the agreement with RMG through 2034. Jonathan Garratt, managing director of Kelso Racecourse, explained that revenues from these rights have become a vital component of the racecourses' finances, supporting prizes, investment, and facility improvements.

Internal economic impact and operational priorities

RMG emphasizes that, as a racecourse-owned entity, its redistributive model directs profits back into the sport. The operator notes that revenues generated from rights exploitation have served to fund prizes as well as sustain racecourses during periods of economic pressure and structural changes in the sector.

The company also aims to maintain and expand its business relationships with broadcasters, betting operators, and technology and media providers, as part of its vision "Working for Racing’s Future". These business ties include content exploitation through platforms like Racing TV and Raceday TV, in addition to the sale of data packages to operators and third parties.

What this means for broadcasters, betting operators, and data providers

For broadcasters and betting operators, the renewals consolidate RMG as the central point of contact for acquiring content rights and data feeds from the British calendar. For data and technology providers, the agreement preserves a stable offering of content and commercial data flows over an extended contractual period.

RMG will be able to negotiate long-term sublicensing, distribution, and international packaging agreements, reducing uncertainty for business partners who rely on the continuity of rights and feeds. Interested parties can consult the domestic and commercial coverage in the event and distribution calendar and collaboration opportunities in commercial services and data.

Context and conclusions for the sector

The vote of confidence from 33 racecourses in RMG reaffirms the collective ownership model that the sector implemented in 2004. The extension of rights until 2033, with assurance of major events through 2034, provides financial predictability for racecourses, broadcasters, and operators. For providers and business partners, the renewal creates a stable operational window to design agreements and products linked to British racing content and data.

As a correspondent, I will continue to track the evolution of international negotiations and the sublicensing packages that RMG concludes regarding these rights throughout the upcoming contractual cycle.