Racing UK restarts taking subscriptions

Racing UK has started taking subscriptions again ahead of reverting to a pay-only channel after temporarily being offered on a free-to-air basis.

Back in June, it emerged that the horseracing channel would continue to broadcast as a standalone offering after the collapse of its UK distribution partner Setanta.

The channel was previously retailed as part of the Setanta Sports Pack on pay TV platforms, but subsequently went free-to-air on Sky channel 432.

Yesterday, Racing UK started taking subscriptions again ahead of it officially being re-encrypted on August 16.

For new subscribers, the channel's price point has reverted to the 2004 launch price of £20 a month, but this will now include access to all Racing UK online services, previously priced at £9.99 per month. There is no joining fee or minimum contract.

Annual subscribers who lost money in the demise of Setanta will receive the channel without charge up to their next renewal date as a "goodwill gesture".

In the Republic of Ireland, Racing UK will transition to a standalone channel and therefore no longer be available on Setanta Ireland.

Racing UK is also currently in "advanced talks" with Virgin Media to continue carriage as a premium channel on its cable TV network.