Horse Racing on TV Today ITV4: Schedule & Channels

If you’ve ever found yourself scanning the TV guide around midday wondering exactly where today’s horse racing has disappeared to, you’re not alone. ITV’s coverage model splits between ITV4 and ITV1, and catching the wrong channel means missing the build-up or the main event. This guide lays out exactly which channel carries today’s races, what time the action starts, and what your free-to-air options actually are.

Primary Channel: ITV4 ·
Build-up Show: ITV4 at 9:30am ·
Main Action Switch: ITV1 at 12:45pm ·
Racecards Source: Racing TV ·
Betting Partner: Paddy Power

The table below consolidates the essential broadcaster and resource details referenced throughout this guide.

Which TV channel is horse racing on today?

Two ITV channels carry horse racing, but they split the day between them. ITV4 handles the morning build-up and early races, while ITV1 takes over for the main afternoon card.

ITV4 for opening coverage

ITV4 is the home of The Opening Show, which airs at 9:30am on Saturdays and gives viewers race previews, trainer interviews, and course reports before the first race. This channel also carries the bulk of Friday ITV Racing coverage, which typically runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

ITV1 for major races

When ITV Racing switches to ITV1, it means the meeting has earned the flagship treatment. The channel takes over at 12:45pm on major days, giving the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, and similar high-profile events maximum terrestrial reach.

Racing TV full schedule

Racing TV complements ITV coverage by showing races from over 60 British and Irish racecourses that don’t make the terrestrial cut. Its schedule updates daily and covers midweek meetings ITV typically ignores.

What ITV channel is horse racing on?

ITV’s racing coverage uses two channels strategically rather than one running all day. The model reflects how ITV structures its sports rights — flagship events get ITV1’s wider reach, while supplementary coverage lives on ITV4.

ITV4 morning shows

The Opening Show on ITV4 at 9:30am is the weekend ritual for serious racing fans. Presented by Ed Chamberlin on major race days, it runs roughly two hours before the first ITV race and often features jockeys, trainers, and betting experts.

ITV1 afternoon switches

ITV1 typically takes over from ITV4 at 12:45pm for the main live race block. On Saturdays, the window usually runs from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, covering three to four live races from a single venue or split across two courses.

ITV Racing official page

The ITV.com/racing section maintains a rolling schedule of upcoming broadcasts. The platform notes that times and venues can change at short notice, so checking closer to race day is advisable.

Is horse racing on channel 4?

No — Channel 4 stopped broadcasting horse racing years ago. If you’re looking for free-to-air racing today, ITV is now the terrestrial home.

Historical Channel 4 Racing

Channel 4 held racing rights from 1984 until 2016, when ITV outbid it for the free-to-air package. The transition shifted major meetings (including the Grand National) permanently to ITV’s portfolio.

Current ITV takeover

ITV Racing now holds the free-to-air rights for most major UK flat and National Hunt meetings. The broadcaster’s deal with Racecourse Media Services cemented its position as the default home for casual viewers.

No coverage today

Channel 4’s sports output today focuses on other programming. There is no Channel 4 horse racing slot — anyone watching that channel for a race today will be disappointed.

What channel can I watch live horse racing today?

Free-to-air options are limited to ITV for major meetings, but Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing offer deeper coverage for subscribers willing to pay.

Free-to-air options

ITV4 and ITV1 both require no subscription — any UK viewer with an aerial can watch live horse racing. The channels broadcast in HD through Freeview (channel 6 for ITV4), Sky, Virgin, and most streaming devices.

Subscription alternatives

Racing TV costs a monthly subscription but shows races from over 60 British and Irish racecourses. Sky Sports Racing (included in Sky Sports packages) covers exclusive UK meetings plus international racing that ITV never touches.

Online streaming links

ITV.com/racing streams live coverage for UK viewers through its website. Racing TV offers apps for Sky, Virgin, and Vodafone TV platforms, plus mobile apps for on-the-go viewing.

How to watch live horse racing on TV today?

The process is straightforward if you know which channel to tune to and when. Here’s a practical sequence for catching today’s ITV Racing coverage.

Check racecards

Start at Racing TV’s racecards page (racingtv.com/racecards) for the full card, horse entries, and betting odds. This gives you context before the TV broadcast begins.

Tune to ITV4

For Saturday meetings, switch to ITV4 at 9:30am for The Opening Show. For Friday meetings, ITV4 takes the first race from 1:00pm. The channel handles early race coverage before any ITV1 switch.

Follow results

Paddy Power and most bookmakers update results in real time during live meetings. ITV.com/racing also carries post-race footage and interviews after each race concludes.

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ITV4’s morning coverage starts at 9:30am with the Opening Show before switching to ITV1, as outlined in this live ITV4 racing schedule with free streams.

Frequently asked questions

For UK viewers, the choice is clear: tune to ITV4 for the morning build-up, switch to ITV1 for the afternoon card, and keep Racing TV bookmarked for supplementary coverage. The terrestrial free-to-air model puts major race days within easy reach of anyone with a TV aerial or basic streaming setup.