Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe secures global coverage
September 28, 2023
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (October 1st) has many headline stories with Frankie Dettori being the undisputed star of the international circuit. As the retiring jockey bids to add to his record six Arc wins, 25 international broadcasters are set to showcase the action.
In France, M6 will be on-site to do a bespoke broadcast around the €5,000,000 feature race. Domestic coverage will be supplemented by Equidia, France’s leading free-to-air racing network.
HBA Media, France Galop’s dedicated global horse racing distribution partner, have secured an additional 22 international broadcasters for the 102nd running of the famous fixture. For 2023, HBA Media, and France Galop invested in a ‘Golden Hour’ live broadcast for the global audience for the first time, to highlight the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe’s growing international influence.
The 60-minute show, presented by Tom Stanley, will focus on the feature race, and contain additional features produced by World Horse Racing, with in-running coverage provided by Equidia. A five-hour World Feed produced by Equidia, featuring the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a collection of elite Group 1 races, is also available to broadcasters.
ITV have extended their longstanding commitment to the event with a prolonged broadcast that takes in, for the first time, five Group 1 contests from Longchamp. Their flagship coverage will be live on ITV4 and STV from 13:00 – 16:15 on Sunday, 1st October with a dedicated studio programme presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani, with Oli Bell on-course in a roving reporter role.
Strong European coverage sees Sky Sports Racing, Virgin Media (Ireland), and BBC Radio 5Live providing further UK exposure. Italy’s largest free to air channel, RAI, will make the live race available to an audience expectant of another Frankie Dettori success, while other European outlets include WeDoTV (Germany / Switzerland / Austria), Silknet (Georgia), Polsat (Poland), Kanal 75 (Sweden) and Setanta (Balkans and Eurasia).
The US audience will be catered for with Fox Sports showcasing the Golden Hour – highlighting the channel’s continual commitment to international horse racing.
Australian viewers will be able to watch free-to-air through Racing.com and Entain’s OTT channels – with the latter also available in New Zealand for the first time. Fans in Indonesia will be able to enjoy the Arc courtesy of TransVision through their linear and digital channels.
Audiences in the Middle East have bolstered broadcast options with four media channels supporting Europe’s premier event. Al Kass (Qatar) and beIN (Qatar) will transmit the full weekend of riveting racing. The two channels will be live on-course with paddock side studio locations and talent. DMI (MENA) will transmit the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe live within a six-hour broadcast, and Al Rayyan (Qatar) adding commentary and production for their viewers.
FanCode, India’s leading online sports streaming platform, will showcase the full meeting through a new deal as they continue their support for international horse racing. Sony Pictures Network (SPN) will showcase the Golden Hour across the Indian subcontinent.
The Japanese contenders will carry on their chase for an elusive first Arc win for the country with Through Seven Seas headlining their field. Once again, The Green Channel will provide significant exposure for this region.
Reuters will distribute the full event to their wide networks of news outlets and Sport24 will broadcast the Golden Hour on airlines and cruise lines.
Henry Birtles, Chief Executive of HBA Media, said: “We are very pleased with the comprehensive global distribution for this year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, headlined by strong free to air coverage on ITV and RAI as Frankie Dettori makes his final appearance at the event. Our ability to offer broadcasters various live packages, including our new Golden Hour show, has resulted in improved exposure across multiple linear and digital networks, and ensured that the Arc’s international resonance continues to go from strength to strength.”
Delphine Violette, Director Commercial and Marketing for France Galop, added: “We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by French and international broadcasters for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, recognised as one of the world’s best races. This increase in the Arc’s international exposure is the fruit of a productive collaboration with the HBA team, initiated in 2022. We have high hopes for the future, in particular for the success of the Golden Hour program, which should enable us to further extend the event’s international exposure.”