Channel 4 defends Royal Ascot coverage

Channel 4 remains "proud" of its Royal Ascot coverage, despite dwindling audiences throughout the week.

Average viewing figures are reported to have fallen from 658,200 over the five days in 2013 to 583,400 this year, with Saturday’s final day attracting 605,000 viewers in comparison with over 820,000 last year.

Viewing figures peaked for Thursday’s Gold Cup card when an average 670,000 people tuned in, an amount which is well down on the 2013 number of 750,000.