For over a decade, RPGTV (Racing Post Greyhound TV) was the beating heart of free-to-air greyhound racing coverage in the United Kingdom. Backed by the respected Racing Post newspaper, the channel delivered fast-paced, live racing action directly into UK homes — often with a new race every 7–10 minutes.
But in March 2024, RPGTV closed its doors, marking the end of a unique era in British greyhound broadcasting.
If you’re searching for RPGTV in 2026, this complete guide explains:
What RPGTV was
Why it closed
Who presented it
Its schedule and legacy
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And most importantly — how to watch UK greyhound racing now
Let’s dive in.
What Was RPGTV? (Racing Post Greyhound TV Explained)
RPGTV, short for Racing Post Greyhound TV, was a dedicated free-to-air UK television channel focused entirely on live greyhound racing from tracks across Britain and Ireland.
Launched on 9 December 2011, RPGTV quickly became a go-to destination for:
- Live graded races
- Top-tier open races
- Greyhound Derby coverage
- Expert betting analysis
- Bookmaker promotions
- Race previews and replays
Unlike general sports channels that occasionally featured greyhound races, RPGTV offered a continuous racing experience. Viewers could tune in during evening broadcasts and see a race roughly every 7–10 minutes — creating a fast, high-energy betting environment.
The channel aired on:
- Sky Channel 427
- Freesat Channel 250
- Freeview Channel 271
For many fans, it wasn’t just a betting platform — it was part of the evening routine.
The Rise and Expansion of RPGTV (2011–2023)
Early Years (2011–2015)
When RPGTV launched in 2011, it initially broadcast three programmes per week. At that time, greyhound racing coverage on mainstream television was limited, so the channel filled a significant gap in the UK sports market.
Its partnership with the Racing Post provided credibility and built-in betting authority.
Growth to Seven Days a Week
By 2023, RPGTV had expanded to seven days per week coverage. It aired both:
- Evening weekday meetings
- Weekend morning and evening fixtures
The programming included:
- Live race meetings
- Betting previews
- “Trap Challenges”
- Odds boosts and bookmaker offers
- Exclusive head-on race footage
One of its standout events was coverage of the Greyhound Derby, including the 2023 Greyhound Derby, which became its final major broadcast before closure.
Pre-Closure Schedule
Before shutting down, RPGTV typically aired:
- Monday–Friday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
This meant near-daily access to live greyhound racing for UK viewers.
Why Did RPGTV Close in 2024?
On 31 March 2024, RPGTV ceased operations following the closure of its broadcasting platform, SportyStuff TV.
The shutdown was reportedly due to a decision by shareholders to discontinue the service. When SportyStuff TV folded, RPGTV lost its distribution platform — effectively ending free-to-air dedicated greyhound racing television in the UK.
The news was met with disappointment across the racing community. Many fans took to social media to describe RPGTV as:
- A vital platform for smaller tracks
- A supporter of open race competitions
- An accessible entry point for new bettors
Its closure marked the end of a 12-year chapter in UK greyhound broadcasting history.
RPGTV Presenters & On-Screen Team
One of RPGTV’s greatest strengths was its experienced and enthusiastic presentation team.
Notable presenters and contributors included:
- Danny Archer
- Jason Barrasford
- Errol Blyth
- Tony Bullen
- Dave Clark
- Julie Collier
- Donna Coney
- Joe Conneely
- Phil Donaldson
- Rose Draper
- Richard Harkness
- Jonathan Hobbs
- Kaan Hughes
- Jonathan Kay
- Ian Meek
- Tanya Stevenson
- Anna Thompson
- Darrell Williams
Many of these personalities have since transitioned to other racing media platforms or successor services, maintaining their presence within the sport.
Their knowledge of form, kennel performance, and betting markets helped shape RPGTV’s reputation as more than just a race feed — it was a betting intelligence hub.
RPGTV’s Successor: Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR)
Following RPGTV’s closure, the sport did not disappear from television. Instead, Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR) emerged as the primary UK greyhound racing content provider.
What Is Premier Greyhound Racing?
Launched in 2024, PGR is a joint venture between:
- Arena Racing Company (ARC)
- Entain (owners of Ladbrokes and Coral)
Its goal is to deliver high-quality greyhound racing coverage while prioritising:
- Welfare standards
- Operational transparency
- Fair competition
- Long-term investment in the sport
Major PGR Events
Premier Greyhound Racing now showcases major British competitions such as:
- PGR Eclipse
- Champion Stakes
- Kent Derby
- Golden Jacket
- St Leger
These events maintain national attention and competitive prestige.
How to Watch UK Greyhound Racing in 2026
If you’re looking for RPGTV in 2026, it no longer broadcasts. However, you can still access live greyhound racing through these platforms:
1. Sky Sports Racing
- Live meetings via the red button service
- Selected televised coverage
2. At The Races (ATR Player)
- Website: greyhounds.attheraces.com
- Free live streams (UK access)
- Racecards, results, replays
3. SIS Racing (SISRacing.tv)
- Live streams and statistics
- Broad industry coverage
4. Racing Post Greyhound Bet App
- Racecards
- Results
- Form analysis
- News updates
5. Social Media
Follow @PremGreyRacing on X (formerly Twitter) for highlights and updates.
Track Coverage (2026 Fixtures Include):
- Monmore
- Towcester
- Nottingham
- Hove
- Perry Barr
- Oxford
- Doncaster
Daily racecards can be found on Sporting Life and Timeform.
RPGTV’s Legacy in UK Greyhound Racing
RPGTV played a major role in:
- Bringing greyhound racing back to free TV
- Supporting graded racing visibility
- Promoting open race events
- Engaging younger betting audiences
- Providing accessible, frequent racing action
While the channel has closed, its impact remains visible in the current broadcasting ecosystem.
Greyhound racing continues to evolve — balancing entertainment, regulation, welfare reform, and digital streaming accessibility. The sport in 2026 is more online-driven than ever, and while the era of dedicated free-to-air greyhound TV has ended, access to live racing has arguably expanded via digital platforms.
Conclusion
RPGTV (Racing Post Greyhound TV) was a defining force in UK greyhound racing from 2011 to 2024. It provided daily racing, expert analysis, and accessible betting entertainment across Sky, Freeview, and Freesat.
Although the channel closed in March 2024 due to the shutdown of SportyStuff TV, the sport continues under Premier Greyhound Racing and digital streaming platforms like At The Races and Sky Sports Racing.
For UK viewers in 2026, greyhound racing remains alive and accessible — just through new platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is RPGTV still broadcasting in 2026?
No. RPGTV closed on 31 March 2024.
2. Why did RPGTV shut down?
It ceased operations when its broadcasting platform, SportyStuff TV, was discontinued by shareholders.
3. What replaced RPGTV?
Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR) became the primary UK greyhound racing provider.
4. Where can I watch greyhound racing in the UK now?
You can watch via Sky Sports Racing, At The Races (ATR Player), and SIS Racing.
5. Did RPGTV cover the Greyhound Derby?
Yes. The 2023 Greyhound Derby was one of its final major broadcasts.
