Setanta Sports teams up with Racing UK

Racing UK has announced it will be moving to a new channel slot in September after joining forces with Setanta Sports ahead of becoming a pay-to-view service.

The dedicated racing channel, owned by 30 racecourses, is currently free to air.

Setanta Sports is a leading independent operator of pay sports channels, with a portfolio that includes Setanta PPV, NASN, Setanta Sports SPL, Celtic TV, Rangers TV and Setanta Sports Ireland.

Racing UK is currently broadcast on Sky channel 425, but will move in early September.

Though it will remain free to air initially, so that viewers can familiarise themselves with the new service, it will become subscription-based later in the autumn.

Simon Bazalgette, executive chairman of Racing UK, said: “We are very pleased we now have a permanent channel position from which to launch our subscription service.

“This means we are ahead of schedule and are even more confident of success.

“The agreement recognises the expertise of both companies, Setanta Sports as a broadcaster and Racing UK as a content creator and brand.

“The cost savings give an added fillip to our already robust business plan.”