NZRB Take Note

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Channel Seven To Expand Free-To-Air Coverage Of Sydney Racing

 

SYDNEY’s premier race meetings will be shown live on free-to-air television, starting with the rich Inglis raceday at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

 

SYDNEY’s premier race meetings will be shown live on free-to-air television, starting with the rich Inglis raceday at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

After months of negotiations, The Daily Telegraph understands Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have reached agreement with the Seven Network to broadcast Sydney racing, with particular emphasis on showcasing the Golden Slipper, The Championships and The Everest race meetings.

An announcement confirming the deal is expected on Thursday with Saturday’s Warwick Farm meeting to be broadcast live on 7Two. But once the Winter Olympics is completed on February 25, Sydney Saturday racing will be broadcast on Channel 7’s main channel.

This will prove a ratings winner for Sydney racing and the Seven Network with the broadcaster’s main channel free to televise champion mare Winx’s comeback race in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick on March 3.

The majority of Sydney’s rich autumn carnival, including the Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on March 24, will then be shown on Channel 7.

However, Seven’s commitment to televise the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games from April 4-15 means Royal Randwick’s The Championships meetings on April 7 and April 14 will revert to 7Two.

Sydney racing’s new free-to-air television deal will significantly expand the sport’s potential viewing audience, helping to generate interest and provide a stimulus for betting turnover.

The Daily Telegraph has learned Racing NSW and ATC officials remain in talks with the Seven Network to broker a deal that will eventually result in the televising of all Sydney Saturday racing outside of carnival periods on 7Two.

A source said the long-term objective was to “lock in free-to-air coverage of Sydney Saturday racing 52 weeks a year” on either Channel 7 or 7Two.

Sydney racing’s new free-to-air deal complements Sky Racing’s already excellent coverage of NSW racing on Foxtel Channel 526, which televises all racing, while Channel 528’s Sky Thoroughbred Central, concentrates on Sydney racing with a popular, expert panel comprising Greg Radley, Ron Dufficy, Lizzie Jelfs and Glenn Munsie. End.

 

Already happening in Melbourne whilst here racing is blocked off from the public. The Aussies realized that Free to Air is a must to increase interest and betting turnover whilst we have gone the other way making it a secret to a select few as turnover drops.   

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Also you can get Racing.com on FTA ...which is Vic Tas & SA...so Houston, AKA NZRB, we do have a problem....oh, that's right, SKY is the contracted operator for the broadcasting of racing in NZ...I suppose we have to help pay for the All Blacks....

Foxtel is Aus is $39 per month for 112 channels which includes 8 sports + racing...and what do Sky charge here.....?  I know what I pay and that’s double Foxtel....and I negotiated a rate which they could accept or take the box away...and guess what...yep, they caved in...so try it folks...