The 34 racecourses affiliated to Racecourse Media Group received an increase in media rights payments of six per cent in 2016.
Simon Ellen, RMG chairman, said: “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.
“This has resulted in an increase to £85.5m in the licence 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 licence fees was important in enabling the courses to maintain a progressive policy in expanding prize money in what Ellen described as a “difficult levy environment.”
The 34 RMG racecourses’ executive and sponsorship contribution to prize-money rose by £3.3m in 2016.
“On the Racing UK channel, our members have enjoyed the benefits of the introduction of HD with a near 80 per cent take up on the Sky platform giving them improved picture quality with lower latency,” he added.
“We are also delighted to welcome Leicester, Stratford and Taunton racecourses to RMG in 2017. They have entrusted their media and data rights to us and we, in turn, shall do our best to showcase the attractive racing that these courses offer.”
