Epsom Derby moved to new time slot

Derby moved to later start time of 4.30pm
BY TOM KERR 11:39AM 11 FEB 2015

THE 2015 Investec Derby will take place 30 minutes later than last year, a move Channel 4 bosses hope will assist in reaching a larger television audience.

Since moving to Channel 4 from the BBC in 2013 the audience for British Flat racing's most famous event has fallen in consecutive years, with 1.5 million tuning in for Australia's victory last June, down from 3.3 million for the BBC's final broadcast in 2012.

The Oaks, held the day before the Derby, will also be broadcast at the new time of 4.30pm.

Ed Havard, Channel 4's head of TV events and sport, said: "We welcome the later start times for the Investec Oaks and Investec Derby, which will enable these blue riband events to be accessible to the widest afternoon audience possible."

Epsom's owner Jockey Club Racecourses said the move - which also involves the first race moving back 25 minutes to 2pm - would benefit racegoers.

JCR's London regional director Rupert Trevelyan said: "We have consulted all stakeholders in this process and consider this change will enhance our customers' experience of the [Derby] festival and the greatest Flat race in the world.

"We believe that from an attendance perspective, in particular for our sponsor and hospitality guests, this adjustment to our timings will enhance the overall enjoyment of their day.

"At this stage this is the extent of our changes to race times but we will review following the 2015 Investec Derby festival."

Both feature races will conclude Channel 4's daily coverage from Epsom as they have done in previous years.

Investec what a coup, not just the time but the entire sponsorship plan from day one
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