Racing TV Play on Samsung TV | Where to watch horse races in the UK?

The UK horse racing broadcast landscape just shifted again. Racecourse Media Group has partnered with Samsung TV Plus to launch Racing TV Play — a free-to-view horse racing channel now available on Samsung devices across the UK and Ireland.

It’s a significant move. For years, premium horse racing coverage has largely sat behind paywalls. Now, for the first time, a dedicated racing channel is being pushed into millions of living rooms and smartphones at zero cost.

What is Racing TV Play?

Racing TV Play is a free streaming channel offering curated horse racing content — highlights, archive races, features, and selected programming — accessible via Samsung Smart TVs (2016+) and Galaxy devices.

It builds on Racing TV’s core offering, which already broadcasts:

• Live racing from 61 UK & Irish racecourses
• Over 7,000 races per year

But unlike the main subscription product, Racing TV Play is designed as a free entry point into the sport.

• Racing TV = full live coverage (paid)
• Racing TV Play = free highlights & content funnel

That “funnel” language from executives isn’t accidental — it’s a clear strategy to grow audience reach and convert casual viewers into paying fans.

Why this matters (and why now)

Horse racing in the UK is at a crossroads. Audiences are ageing, attention is shifting to mobile, and sports like football dominate broadcast deals.

Free distribution is the only way to scale.

With Samsung TV Plus:

• The sport gains mass reach without subscription friction
• Younger, streaming-first audiences are targeted
• Casual viewers can discover racing without committing

This mirrors what we’ve seen in football (YouTube highlights), F1 (Drive to Survive), and even betting (free bet funnels).

Where else can you watch horse racing in the UK?

Here’s the reality in 2026: horse racing coverage in the UK is split between free TV, paid TV, streaming platforms, and bookmaker streams.

Free ways to watch horse racing

1. ITV Racing

• Broadcast on ITV1, ITV4 + ITVX
• Covers major events: Cheltenham, Grand National, Royal Ascot
• Around 100+ days of racing per year

✔ Completely free (TV licence required)
✔ Best for big races
✖ Limited daily coverage

2. Samsung TV Plus (Racing TV Play)

• Free on Samsung devices
• Highlights, features, archive racing
• No subscription required

✔ Always-on racing content
✖ No full live race coverage (yet)

3. Bookmaker live streams

Examples: bet365, William Hill, Betfair

• Log in to watch races live
• Often no bet required (or minimal conditions)

✔ Free access to many races
✔ Available on mobile
✖ Requires account
✖ Quality varies

Paid TV & streaming options

1. Racing TV

• Sky channel 424
• ~£29.98/month
• Covers 70%+ of UK & Irish racing

✔ Deepest coverage
✔ Premium analysis & tips
✖ Expensive

2. Sky Sports Racing

• Available via Sky / NOW
• Also streamed via At The Races (~£9.99/month)

✔ Strong international racing
✔ Alternative to Racing TV
✖ Split rights (not all UK races)

Where to watch horse racing in the UK | best platforms

Platform	Cost	Live Races	Best For
ITV Racing	Free	Partial (major events)	Big race days
Samsung TV Plus (Racing TV Play)	Free	No (highlights)	Casual fans
UK Bookmakers	Free (account)	Yes (most races)	Quick access
Racing TV	£29.98/month	Yes (majority UK/IRE)	Serious fans
Sky Sports Racing	Subscription / £9.99+	Yes (split rights)	International racing

This launch isn’t just another channel — it’s a strategic shift.

• Free distribution → wider audience
• Wider audience → more betting interest
• More betting interest → more revenue for the sport

And crucially, it plugs a gap: discovery.

For years, horse racing has been hard to stumble upon unless you were already into it. Racing TV Play changes that — putting the sport in front of millions who weren’t actively looking for it.

Final take (Horse.bet verdict)

Racing TV Play won’t replace paid coverage — not even close. But it doesn’t need to.

It’s the top of the funnel.

If even a small percentage of Samsung users convert into regular viewers — or bettors — this becomes one of the smartest distribution plays racing has made in years.

And for fans?

More free racing content is never a bad thing.