New AT THE RACES counts down to launch

At The Races today confirmed that it will launch its new service in June.

Following last week´s announcement of agreements with Ascot Racecourse, Chepstow Racecourse Plc, GG Media Limited and Arena Leisure Plc At The Races can now confirm:

LAUNCH: At The Races will launch its new service in June.

DISTRIBUTION: From launch it will be available to more than 7 million homes in the UK & Ireland via Sky digital. Carriage via cable companies will extend coverage to a further 2 million homes.

PRICING: The new service will continue to be available to Sky digital subscribers within the ´family pack´, programming currently taken by 98% of Sky digital homes. No extra subscription will be required.

TRANSPONDER: At The Races will be broadcast direct-to-home via Sky digital using transponder 19 on the Astra 2B satellite, positioned at 28.2 degrees east.

CHANNEL POSITION: It will continue to be carried on the opening page of the on-screen ´electronic programming guide´ [EPG] for sport, a screen which features the five Sky Sports channels and Eurosport.

TV BETTING: Full interactive betting, via the TV, will be available from launch and its new format will be quicker and easier to use. The service will be accessed by pressing the red button on the Sky digital remote.

ONLINE BETTING: A website will launch alongside the TV service in June. It will offer editorial content as well as the opportunity to bet with a range of partners.

PROGRAMMING: From launch, At The Races will focus on offering its UK coverage direct from the racecourses rather than the studio. Further details of programming and presenters will be announced as At The Races continues its countdown to its launch next month.

LIVE RACING: The number of UK courses working with At The Races currently stands at 25. Within the current racing calendar this would allow At The Races to broadcast an average of at least 2 live UK meetings per day plus live racing from South Africa and the USA.

FURTHER TALKS: A number of other racecourses, who are still deciding how to use their media rights, are currently in discussions with At The Races. The door remains open and At The Races would welcome discussions with any additional courses.

On behalf of At The Races, Matthew Imi said; 'We are in very good shape and will launch our new service, as planned, in June. The countdown continues.'

'We are concluding our agreements with four racecourse groups and continue to engage with a number of others. We would like to have as many courses as possible on board when we launch the service in June.

'At The Races is very much a partnership with racing and - as we have always said - we welcome the chance to discuss any issues with any racecourses.'

'We will give further updates as we count down to launch.'