Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials takes place this week (31 August-4 September) and eventing enthusiasts who are unable to attend the event will be able to watch the action unfold via a new digital TV service, Burghley TV. A highlights programme will be broadcast on BBC2 this Sunday 4 September, but the CCI5* fixture will not be available to watch live via BBC Red Button.
Burghley TV costs £20 per year and is subscription-only. It will combine comprehensive livestream footage of the CCI5* competition with expert commentary, analysis and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. It showed today’s first horse inspection and will continue to livestream right through to the prize-giving on Sunday.
There will also be an exclusive preview of the cross-country course, designed for the first time this year by the USA’s Derek di Grazia, and in-depth interviews with some of the sport’s most popular characters, including an ‘At Home’ feature with reigning champion Pippa Funnell.
“We’re really excited to be launching Burghley TV — this will be a comprehensive production of unprecedented quality which offers a wealth of content both in terms of live sport but also with superb added value from our team of expert commentators and presenters,” said event director Martyn Johnson.
“With streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime considered mainstream viewing these days, we felt now was the time to establish our own, bespoke TV production service.
“It gives us the scope to create a unique viewing experience for anyone unable to visit in person or who prefers to watch from the comfort of their sofa. It also means we have global reach and the opportunity for international eventing fans to access the competition.”
Carl Hester masterclass
Further plans for the service include TV presenter Nick Luck fronting a daily magazine programme alongside “roving reporter” Rosie Tapner.
The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final, this year judged by Capt Mark Phillips, will also be live-streamed, as will some of the main arena demonstrations, including Carl Hester’s dressage masterclass and Yogi Breisner’s ‘Educating the Racehorse’ clinic.
A replay service will also be available with dressage footage quickly online after each session and cross-country rounds not long after completion.
A comprehensive library of historic Burghley footage, dating back to 1990, will also be included in the £20 package.
Viewers can subscribe via Burghley’s website. The service is also available via Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire apps.
