Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Ascot Racecourse are delighted to announce an international television distribution agreement with Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) to show the best of British horseracing on terrestrial TV in the UAE and satellite/cable TV in other Middle Eastern countries.
The four-year deal begins on January 1, 2013 and means top-class Flat racing from the RMG-managed courses – such as Epsom, Newmarket, York, Goodwood, Sandown, Newbury and Haydock – plus Ascot will be televised on the Dubai Sports Channel and the Dubai Racing Channel.
British horseracing will also be available – via the two Dubai channels – in Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen through cable/satellite TV.
Television coverage will encompass Royal Ascot, QIPCO British Champions Day and the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (both from Ascot), the Investec Derby Festival (Epsom), the QIPCO Guineas Festival (Newmarket), York’s Ebor Festival, Glorious Goodwood and many other of Britain’s leading Flat race meetings.
DMI is one of the largest media organisations in the Middle East and controls and operates a media group encompassing a wide range of newspaper publications together with radio and television channels including Dubai TV, Dubai Sports and Dubai Racing.
His Excellency, Ahmad Al Shaikh, the Managing Director of DMI, said: “We warmly welcome our new and direct involvement with RMG and Ascot Racecourse through our new arrangement covering the best of British Racing over the next four years during which we will continue to advance the popularity of British racing in Dubai and the UAE, as well as in many other countries throughout the Middle East.”
RMG’s Director of Business Development, Simon Brydon, said: “We are delighted that British racing will be showcased in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries following this exciting partnership with DMI and its TV channels.
“British racing has greatly appreciated the valued support of Dubai and the UAE in various capacities for many years now, and we look forward to our best racing garnering excellent exposure in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East.”
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, added: “Ascot is delighted to be partnering with Dubai Media Incorporated to provide an excellent showcase for our unique race programme within the highly valued Middle Eastern market.”
