AP McCoy joins ITV Racing coverage from 2017
Sir Anthony McCoy will be part of ITV’s racing team when the channel broadcasts exclusive free to air coverage of the sport from 2017.
The legendary jockey will lend his expert insight and analysis to some of the biggest dates in the racing calendar on ITV. He will join main presenter Ed Chamberlin and a host of names already announced as the channel moves towards the start of its coverage next year.
And AP will be part of the on screen team as ITV kicks-off its new racing coverage on New Year’s Day 2017.
“I feel very lucky to still be part of a sport I am passionate about. Racing always has, and always will, be a huge part of my life, and I'm looking forward to being involved in what should be an exciting year for the sport and for ITV."
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “AP McCoy is a figure who transcends the sport of racing. We’re delighted he’s joining our team, which can only benefit from his unique expertise and love for the sport.”
He is the latest in a range of key presenting, reporting, commentating and on-screen expert roles to be filled.
Ed Chamberlin’s co-presenter for the Flat season, will be Francesca Cumani, with Matt Chapman as betting presenter and reporter.
Oli Bell will present ITV’s weekly racing morning magazine show, Richard Hoiles will be lead commentator, with Mark Johnson also commentating. Joining as experts are Hayley Turner, Mick Fitzgerald, Jason Weaver, Luke Harvey and Brian Gleeson.
The unique figure of Frankie Dettori will also appear and Victoria Pendleton will bring her perspective to the channel’s coverage.
Rishi Persad, Sally-Ann Grassick and Alice Plunkett both have reporting roles. Lucy Verasamy will provide reports on one of the key elements of any racing meeting – the weather.
ITV’s exclusive new four year deal to show UK horse racing on terrestrial television takes effect from the start of 2017, when its free to air coverage will begin.
ITV’s racing coverage will encompass live broadcasts of almost 100 days of racing each year.
Last month, ITV revealed details of its plans to show 41 racing days on the main channel.
Coverage will begin on the main channel, with the New Year’s Day meeting at Cheltenham. And the 40 days will encompass the Grand National, The Epsom Derby, all the major festivals including Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, the Five Classics, plus other highlights of the racing calendar such as Future Champions Day at Newmarket and Champions Day at Ascot.
In addition, ITV4's racing coverage will see a re-introduction of free-to-air broadcasts of the Craven Meeting at Newmarket in April. ITV will show two days including the Nell Gwyn and Craven Stakes, key trials for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
The deal further enhances ITV’s portfolio of world-class sports rights, which includes the Tour de France, the French Open and exclusive live coverage of the England football team’s qualification campaign for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers. Following the success of ITV’s exclusive Rugby World Cup coverage last year, 2016 saw ITV broadcast 6 Nations Rugby for the first time, and the channel showed live coverage of Euro 2016.