TVN will cease broadcasting on March 15 after months of speculation and inaction following a breakdown between TVN and Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing.
The well-documented falling out between the two parties, and a decision in December 2014 by New South Wales and Victorian rightsholders to disaggregate the media rights, let to the collapse of TVN.
A separation agreement has now been signed follow long negotiations and legal processes.
TVN’s ownership was a split arrangement – 50 per cent owned by the three Melbourne metropolitan race clubs – Melbourne Racing Club, Victoria Racing Club and Moonee Valley Racing Club – plus Country Racing Victoria, with the other half owned by the Sydney-based Australian Turf Club.
NSW broadcast rights have been signed by Racing NSW to Sky Racing, with digital-rights also signed over although with a non-exclusivity clause. The final details of Victoria’s racing coverage have not yet been released. The Roar understands Sky Racing will have access to these rights for TV broadcast.
TVN also owns racing publication Best Bets and Winning Post, although their future has not been determined.
Racing Network, a joint-venture with Telstra, was earlier announced as ceasing on March 15 as well.
The Roar extensively examined the battle for horse racing media rights in New South Wales and Victoria in a feature.
William Hill
Guest
TVN will be sadly missed in our household .Richard Gator and the rest of the gang we find very entertaining. Love get on/track work all the interviews they have always get a laugh sometime in the show .4 tracks for the kids is a great thing for lots off charates thak you to all.
William Hill
Guest
Will be sadly missed in our household we look forwould to watching Richard Callander and Gator and boys from .Track work Early mail and all the other programs that come with the show . We find the programe very entertaining
Jason Cave
Guest
It is amazing to think that TVN would cease transmission on the 15th March, which is next week, yet the racing hierarchy couldn't bring themselves to keep TVN for two more weeks, to allow them to cover the Golden Slipper, the AJC Derby, the Doncaster and the Sydney Cup. Golden Slipper Stakes Day would've been the ideal way for TVN to sign off their racing coverage.
Jason Cave
Guest
When did TVN, to use a TV industry terminology 'jump the shark'?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Jason, Well said. The TVN strategy was very sound but was doomed to failure with civil war politics rampant. Jason rightly points out that we not only URGENTLY require a National body to oversee and control Racing Nationally, but importantly it must be run by professionals who have no ties to any clubs, studs or racing bodies. The TVN debacle is just the start of the mess; we wont expand on small fields and poor crowds and the rapidly dwindling of trainers numbers. As soon as Canberra sort out who will be the two candidates for our next PM, let's hope the winner appoints a Sports Minister who can create a Racing Commission that will allow the industry to thrive in harmony.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Now that Racing Network is gone (and they won't even let you subscribe until March!), where is the best place for form linked to race replays?
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Disappointing and I echo Will's comment that Racing Network was excellent at a good price, hopefully Sky up their game but that seems very unlikely. Who gets the Best Bets and Sportsman now? Or will they cease to exist?
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
This is really disappointing. I loved TVN's coverage of the major races, and their other shows (Get On in particular quickly became my favorite racing show) are great too. And I loved Racing Network, which was fantastic for form study on the iPad (and great value at only $20 a month). What a pity.
Jack
Guest
That's disappointing. Regardless of the politics and games going on behind the scenes these means less in-depth coverage of the big races and feature meetings so the enthusiasts lose in the end.
Bondy
Guest
Its very unfortunate for the keen enthusiasts, its now over to Sky 1 and wall to wall racing. Sports not about entertaining the public its about greed....
jay
Guest
Does anyone know where you can watch racing online? I always watched it on tvn website (and loved it) as I only can get foxtel play which doesn't have sky racing.
Jason Cave
Guest
If ever there was a case for a national racing commission to control racing Australia-wide and take control of racing away from the clubs, then the TVN debacle is it. The National Racing Commission-not the clubs or the racing bodies in NSW and Victoria, should have complete control of the racing vision and rights to televise racing on a national basis.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I can't believe how much money was wasted on TVN & by TVN, did the Directors have any responsibilities at all, geez I wish I had got a job in that setup.
franz-joop
Guest
do sky show any mounting yard vision ?....Racing NSW gets it vision from TVN , so i would guess we as punters are going to get the same crap station that is sky now ...
MAX
Guest
Hi Tristan, For punters sake I hope Sky get it right. The correct camera position would help to show each and every parading horse to advantage. This would allow the viewing punter to make an assessment on the current fitness and notes for future reference. Too often TVN showed only portion of the field. Racing NSW's form and video replay service is the best thing to happen to racing in my lifetime. That service and being able to watch the race day parade and the race being presented in the most professional manner can only serve to attract more people to the sport.