UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 has sealed a multi-year deal to broadcast Europe’s premier flat horse racing event, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, according to the Racing Post website.
The move marks the return of the Longchamps race to British terrestrial television after public-service broadcaster the BBC opted not to air the 2012 edition due to falling ratings and its loss of domestic racing rights from 2013 to 2016.
Channel 4 is now the UK’s sole terrestrial racing broadcaster having acquired the Grand National, Derby and Royal Ascot at the expense of the BBC and an agreement with rights holder France Galop now adds the €4.8m ($6.2m) showpiece to its portfolio.
Having previously shown the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 1986 to 1994 and again in 2001, Channel 4 is also set to carry several of the major Group One support races from Longchamps on October 6.