Arena Racing Company and Entain, the parent company of Coral and Ladbrokes, are pleased to announce the signing of a new long-term horseracing media rights deal as well as the creation of a greyhound racing joint venture, with the agreements described as representing a ‘new era’ of collaboration between the two sectors.
The deal will, however, come as a shock to opposing service provider SIS who currently broadcast activity from the four greyhound tracks owned by Entain, namely Romford, Monmore Green, Hove and Crayford.
The joint venture between Arena Racing Company and Entain will produce greyhound racing content for Entain’s media channels and digital brands, and will also supply greyhound racing content from Entain, Arena Racing and Independent Greyhound Media Group greyhound tracks.
The new media rights deal will commence at the beginning of next year and is due to run until 31st December 2029.
Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing rights will, meanwhile, both be distributed to UK bookmakers’ sector by The Racing Partnership and to international markets by Arena Racing subsidiary, Vermantia.
Adrian Bower, the Chief Procurement Officer at Entain, commented on the partnership by saying that they are delighted to be partnering with Arena Racing on such a comprehensive long-term deal that will give certainty to both parties for the benefit of both Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing, as well as helping them navigate the Covid challenges and emerge stronger when the world gets back to normal.
Bower also said that this landmark deal supports Entain’s omni-channel strategy for its UK digital brands and emphasizes the huge value they place on the Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing products.
