The British Horseracing Board has been most encouraged by the response from prospective suppliers of picture and text services to LBOs.

Several major specialist companies have submitted their proposals to BHB this week confirming that LBOs will be provided with a comprehensive service covering horseracing from 49 racecourses, greyhound racing and numbers games at a significant cost saving from 1st May 2002.

As BHB considers each of the licence applications it will maintain its efforts to facilitate continual improvement to the quality, competitiveness and price of the services provided.

BHB has discussed directly with many bookmakers and with certain trade associations the requirements for the package, and will continue to do so as it concludes the process of awarding licences.

BHB was also delighted to receive the following notification from Sky:

“Sky is pleased to announce that it will be making available to potential providers of LBO services its digital satellite platform and infrastructure on normal commercial terms. The package of services available includes transmission, encryption and customer management and will support the distribution of both pictures and data.

“Sky already have over 35,000 UK business customers including a significant number of LBOs who already take its sport and news services. Sky, in conjunction with Attheraces, is also actively exploring the possibility of creating its own LBO service.”

Chris Reynolds, BHB’s Managing Director, said today:

“We are clearly delighted at the progress that is being made and will now enter an intense period of discussion and evaluation with prospective suppliers. We confidently expect to be able to provide excellent news to LBOs, with an announcement within the next 10 days on the new choice that will be available for this vital service to LBOs.”