ARE Arena Events Group Plc

RNS Number:9602T
Arena Leisure PLC
10 November 2000

Arena Leisure plc ("Arena")


Arena, in connection with its involvement in Go Racing consortium which is
bidding for UK horseracing's media rights, wishes to bring investors'
attention to the following press statement released today by Go Racing and the
BBC.

"GO RACING AND BBC AGREE RACING RIGHTS DEAL

The GO RACING consortium, formed by Channel 4, BSkyB and Arena Leisure, has
signed a deal with the BBC to ensure its continued coverage of horseracing.

Go Racing and the BBC have agreed terms for the BBC to continue to broadcast
the races that it currently covers if Go Racing's bid to acquire media and
related rights to British racecourses is successful.

With Channel 4 refusing to offer assurances of continued terrestrial coverage
outside the consortium, Go Racing is the only bidder for racing rights able to
guarantee the same level of terrestrial exposure for the sport in future
years.

As part of the deal, Channel 4 and the BBC have agreed to work with each other
and the racecourses to integrate their respective racing coverage so as to
improve the narrative for racing viewers and to avoid scheduling clashes. The
two broadcasters have also agreed to work together to cross-promote each
other's racing coverage in order to maximise viewer information and
satisfaction from television's coverage of racing.

Go Racing is promising 4,000 hours of live racing coverage each year, more
than any other sport receives in the UK. Channel 4 is also planning to launch
a new daily lunchtime race programme in support of its existing coverage.

David Scott, for Go Racing, said: "With the BBC formally on board Go Racing
offers a much higher level of continued terrestrial coverage for racing than
any other bidder. Allied to our technical ability to deliver the promised new
services quickly and the pedigree of the partners involved, we believe this
proposal represents the best solution for the future health and prosperity of
racing."

Peter Salmon, BBC Director of Sport said: "BBC Sport will continue to bring
the nation the peak events of British racing under this arrangement. Our
commitment to racing remains as high as ever and eventually the racing fan
should see a more coherent coverage of their sport.

Editors note:

 1. Go Racing's offer for racing rights includes plans for a dedicated Go
    Racing channel, available to around 5 million UK pay-TV homes from day
    one; an interactive TV service - including on screen betting - via Sky
    Digital; a comprehensive website, allowing international betting on UK
    racing.

 2. Go Racing is the only bidder for racing rights able to offer an instant
    solution to the sport that will allow exploitation of rights across all
    platforms - terrestrial TV, multi-channel TV and the internet - from the
    start of a new deal."

Go Racing has extended its offer to the UK's racecourses until 5.00 p.m. on
Monday 13 November 2000.


Enquiries:


David Bick

Holborn Public Relations

Tel: 020 7929 5599

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