A short-term deal may be struck between TVN and Sky Racing in what could be Christmas come early for many punters across Australia who have been without vision of New South Wales and Victorian meetings for five days.
It hasn’t been pretty for the turnovers of betting agencies either, who have been left in the dark through this blackout, with many punters choosing to turn their back and simply not gamble during this period.
Being at the front line I can confirm that the turnover is down, which means less money for the organisation as a hole. But who can blame TVN for valuing their product how they have?
Each year billions of dollars are poured into the racing industry via gambling and other avenues, and when you consider how much is paid for the rights to AFL and NRL each year then $30 million is a drop in the ocean.
Especially when racing is a sport that runs on nearly every single day of the year.
TVN board members met on Sunday and agreed upon a short interim deal that in the meantime will restore vision into TAB retail outlets across Australia.
“We hope to see what we can do,” TVN chief executive Bruce Mann told Fairfax Media.
“Nobody wants to disenfranchise the public and we’ll see what we can do. The first proposition made certainly wasn’t where we need to be. At the end of the day everyone’s interest is for the best outcome for the punter.”
The bad news, however, is that it looks like the short-term agreement will only last a few weeks into 2015, which shows that neither party is confident of a new long-term deal anytime soon.
Sky has already questioned the viability of TVN which is rumoured to be run at a cost of $18 million each year but only makes $4 million in advertising.
The festive season is one of busiest periods of the racing calendar and with multiple meetings scheduled in Victoria and NSW it’s in the best interests that a deal can be struck.
While it may not be the long-term deal everyone is hoping for, it’s a start and as long as racing is back on the televisions it’s better for all.
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