Advanced Television

RMG, HBA extend media rights deal

December 18, 2024

Racecourse Media Group (RMG), responsible for a range of racecourses’ media rights businesses, has renewed its distribution relationship with HBA Media, the horse racing media rights agency, through a refreshed three-year representation agreement.
The renewal sees HBA Media continue to market and distribute RMG’s showcase British, Irish and international events to a global audience. The partnership, established in 2021, has resulted in a substantial increase in media rights revenue and enhanced broadcast exposure, as well as the launch and development of Crown Jewels Racing (CJR).
Crown Jewels Racing is a year-round premium package of the very best of the sport, comprised of 18 world-renowned race-days, including seven RMG-managed events. This enables international broadcasters to market more effectively and build a year-long narrative around the global horseracing calendar.

Henry Birtles, Chief Executive of HBA Media, commented: “We are delighted to have extended our agreement with RMG as their principal distribution partner for premium British, Irish, Dubai and Bahrain horse racing. Our collaboration brings together an exceptional lineup of events and forms an unparalleled calendar of prestigious racing festivals across multiple continents – promoted globally under the Crown Jewels Racing banner and creating a one-stop shop for broadcasters and platforms. With a 100 per cent increase in media right revenue over the past rights cycle, our ambition is to target new territories, expand our network of over 40 established broadcasters, and build on our successful commercial returns for Federations by improving production standards. We also will continue to distribute the World Feeds of RMG’s wider racing portfolio outside of the CJR brand.”

Nick Mills, Chief Executive of Racecourse Media Group, added: “Our racecourses have benefitted from significantly enhanced global exposure and an increase in rights fees, thanks to RMG teaming up with HBA Media. We have been particularly delighted to work with HBA on the launch of Crown Jewels Racing.  For the first time, networks benefit from a one-stop shop for horseracing rights, resulting in a consistent calendar of the very best of the sport. The CJR events offer audiences access to premium sporting drama, lifestyle, and entertainment and help leverage each other to boost reach and rights fees.”

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