The John Smith’s Grand National is always a highlight of the televised sporting calendar and 2008 will be no exception.

More than 50 cameras will be utilised including one in the jockeys’ changing room and others in two helicopters.

Tremendous Audience Share
A domestic audience of 7.6 million people, representing a massive 66.5 per cent share of the television audience at the time, saw the live broadcast on BBC1 in 2007. This is the highest viewing fi gure for a sporting event outside of football. The Grand National re-run, shortly after the big race, was seen by 5.1 million people, almost four times as many people as watched the Cheltenham Gold Cup live on Channel 4 in March.

Great Radio Coverage
BBC Radio 5 Live covers the John Smith’s Grand National meeting extensively, with live reporting of all three days from Aintree augmented by a series of preview programmes.

Global Interest
In addition to worldwide news access and online reports, BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, distributes footage of the John Smith’s Grand National to 140 countries worldwide. This makes the great race very much a global event, enjoyed by millions of viewers around the world. The estimated worldwide audience for the John Smith’s Grand National is 600 million.

TV Schedule for the Grand National Meet
* indicates where the race will be televised by the BBC.

Time Distance Televised Thursday 3rd April
2.00 3m ½f * The John Smith's Great Float Social Club Liverpool Hurdle (CLASS A)
2.35 3m 1f * The totesport Bowl Steeple Chase (SHOWCASE RACE) (CLASS A)
3.10 2m ½f * The John Smith's Anniversary 4YO Novices' Hurdle (CLASS A)
3.45 2m 5½f * The John Smith's Fox Hunters' Steeple Chase (CLASS B) *
4.20 2m * The Silver Cross Prams Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (CLASS A)
4.55 2m 4f   The Citroën C5 Mersey Novices' Hurdle (CLASS B)
5.30 2m 4f   The John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (CLASS A)

Time Distance Televised Friday 4th April
2.00 3m 1f * The John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Steeple Chase (CLASS A)
2.35 3m ½f * The Citroën C5 Sefton Novices' Hurdle (CLASS A)
3.10 2m 4f * The John Smith's Melling Steeple Chase (CLASS A)
3.45 2m 5½f * The John Smith's Topham Steeple Chase (SHOWCASE HANDICAP)
4.20 2m ½f * The Littlewoods Direct Top Novices' Hurdle (CLASS A)
4.55 3m 1f   The totepool Handicap Steeple Chase (CLASS B)
5.30 2m 1f   The John Smith's Mares Only Standard Open NH Race (CLASS A)

Time Distance Televised Saturday 5th April
1.45 2m ½f * The John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (CLASS B)
2.15 2m * The John Smith's Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase (CLASS A)
2.50 2m 4f * The Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle (CLASS A)
3.25 3m ½f * The John Smith's Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle
4.15 4m 4f * The John Smith's Grand National Steeple Chase (SHOWCASE HANDICAP)
5.00 2m 4f   The John Smith's Winner's Tipple Novices' Handicap Chase (for amateur riders)
5.30 2m 1f   The John Smith's Champion Standard Open NH Flat
       
12.40 9f   The John Smith's People's Race (A charity flat race)

Free Bets on the National
Here are some top bookmakers who offer free bets on the national: Stan James , Paddypower, Boylesports, 888Sport and Bluesquare