BBC Radio Will Continue Coverage Of Horse Racing After Agreeing To Deal Through 2016

BBC Radio will "continue its coverage of live horse racing" until at least '16, starting with this year's Cheltenham Festival, according to the BBC. Broadcaster Derek Thompson is set to "join the BBC Radio team for the four days of racing" from March 12-15. Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra's Cheltenham coverage will "ensure that all 27 races are broadcast live." The new four-year deal will "cover major race meetings from Britain and overseas." BBC Radio's Cheltenham coverage will be "enhanced by the addition" of '98 Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton, along with Paralympian and broadcaster Kate Grey. There will be live text commentaries every day of the Cheltenham meeting on the BBC Sport website, "including audio streams of all the races, and a comprehensive results service" (BBC, 2/18).