CRUFTS: CHANNEL 4 SIGNS NEW DEAL TO REMAIN HOME OF DOG SHOW UNTIL 2029

Channel 4 announced that it will continue to broadcast Crufts until 2029. Channel 4 has broadcast coverage of Crufts since 2010 and the new agreement, covering 2026 to 2029, extends the broadcaster’s relationship with the world’s most famous dog show to more than a two decades.

And Channel 4 has also announced that the independent production company Sunset+Vine will continue to produce its coverage of Crufts. Sunset+Vine has produced Channel 4’s coverage of the world’s most famous dog show since it first aired on the channel in 2010.

Channel 4’s Head of Sports Pete Andrews said: “Crufts is a truly unique event and has a very special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers and we’re delighted that Channel 4 will continue our relationship with The Kennel Club and the producers of our Crufts coverage, Sunset+Vine.”

Jannine Edgar, Chief Executive of The Kennel Club, said, "We have enjoyed fantastic coverage with Channel 4 over the last 15 years and are delighted to continue our partnership for the next four years. Channel 4 has provided The Kennel Club with more airtime for Crufts than ever before, helping us to show the important role dogs play in our lives."

Coverage of Crufts returns to Channel 4 this week when Clare Balding will lead nearly 20 hours of coverage from the four-day event in Birmingham.

Clare will be joined by regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and two new faces, Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson.

Ellie and Ed will take to the halls of the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre presenting features, interviews and all the latest news from the biggest dog show in the world.

Clare leads live coverage of the event, which celebrates its 75th year of being broadcast, while Radzi will capture all the excitement and emotion from the arena.

And resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow will also be offering viewers advice on best practices for looking after dogs throughout the coverage.

More than 200 pedigree breeds from 51 different countries will compete for the prestigious Best in Show title, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the final evening of the event on 9th March.

Viewers will be able to watch Crufts on Channel 4, More 4 and on Channel 4 Streaming across the four days (full details in Notes to Editors). Coverage will include all the most popular events including Flyball, Agility, Heelwork to Music, The Kennel Club Hero Dog award and the prestigious Best in Show.