Racecourse Media Group, Turf TV Generate $110 Million
Image:
Description:
Photo: Steve Davies
Mecca's Angel wins the Coolmore Nunthorpe at York, one of 34 racecourses under the RMG banner
The 34 British racecourses affiliated to Racecourse Media Group will receive £85.5million ($110.3 million) in media rights payments in 2016, a 6% increase from 2015.
The payments, paid via license fees and dividends, were generated in 2016 from:
- Turf TV (betting shop service provider to licensed betting offices)
- Racing UK (multi-platform subscription channel)
- Digital (bet-to-view streams)
- GBI Racing (international television betting and pictures service)
- International (non-betting television sales overseas)
- Terrestrial TV (Channel 4 agreement)
- Racecourse Data Company (licensing of pre-race data, such as racecard information)
“The highlight of 2016 has been the strong growth in performance for our businesses, with a significant step up from the performance recorded in 2015,” said RMG chairman Simon Ellen. “This has resulted in an increase to £85.5m in the license fees and dividends payable to racecourses. The combined effect of strong performances from our LBO, streaming, and international businesses has demonstrated, yet again, the benefits of aggregation for our shareholders.
"The increase in license fees was important in enabling our courses to maintain a progressive policy in expanding prize money in a difficult Levy environment. The 34 RMG racecourses' executive and sponsorship contribution to prize money rose by £3.3m ($4.3 million) in 2016.”