TVN horse racing channel to close in March
The 24-hour horse racing station TVN is due to close by the end of March ending the ongoing saga over racing rights negotiations.
The closure follows a deal between the NSW Racing board and Tabcorp and it’s broadcast partner Sky Racing, although that could not start until the other partner in TVN, Racing Victoria, agreed to disband the station, which was founded six years ago.
Racing Victoria remains with out a broadcast partner at present.
The station ran into difficulties early on after making purchases financed through debt of Winning Post and Best Bets for $14 million, but the dispute between the racing authorities and Tabcorp dates back to December, stopping the betting giant from showing tier one races in their shops for several weeks.
It is currently unclear what debt remains on the station’s books or the impact on the clubs after it is dissolved.
CEO Bruce Mann stood down form the network earlier this month after ongoing talks had imploded with the departure of Racing NSW from negotiations.
The end of TVN and the state deals mean that apart from big carnivals, Sky will essentially be exclusive horse racing broadcaster in Australia.
What does this mean do we now have to put up with the antics of sky channel rushing one race on after the other no mounting yard comments on horses parading pror to .no interviews with trainers and jockeys after race .This was why racegoers switched of sky they want more of a complete day at the races on there tv .Not just race after race and no time for anything else .
If someone was to come back into the televised racing that is what the punters want .It was presented so professionallyby TVN
Don’t let the opportunity go by .Punters want the TVN style of broadcasting NOT what sky do.
Regards Gerry (Sorry to lose TVN)
Always sad when there is less competition in business. There is a place for both offerings I would have thought? Hope the staff are looked after.
Where does Ch 7 fit in?
I am distraught. TCN is the superior racing coverage. Interesting and experts commentary . Sad for the future of thoroughbred racing coverage
Really disappointed we now have to mix dogs & trots with races surely sky can have 1 channel for racing only. get rid of the disgraced dogs & boring trots
To new south wales tvn shareholders this is the biggest bussinness decision mistake you have made the dimise of good thorouhgbread racinig telecast punters will ever get SHAME ON YOU !!!!!!!!!!!
What a Discrase,we love TVN. The Channel is great and the Presenters are FABULOUS…….WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM???
We won’t be watching the other Channels as they are far TOO busy,no talking to Trainers,Jockeys Etc.
Just a DISCRASE.
You guys realize sky has racing world which does mounting yard and interviews
Good point that SKY provides a pretty good “in depth” coverage on It’s second/third channel with mounting yard previews, interviews with connections etc.
TVN was okay but costing the racing industry in NSW and Victoria a fortune. The money paid to on-air presenters was staggering and could not be justified by any measure….better spent on prizemoney and industry participants.
I doubt punters will pay extra for the equivalent coverage on Sky’s other channels and nor should they as they are already funding racing through the punting dollar.
To Punter 23/15 Yes maybe but pay extra for world!!!
And they would not have a Richard Callender with hi complete knowledge of racing .
going to miss tvn,good luck to everyone
I think this a very serious shame, Sky Racing is not a very interesting station
Compared to the commentators of TVN who make racing reporting interesting.
I do hope it can be sorted out so Racing can be enjoyed again.
Maurice Ford Vic
What a shame>>bloody great station T V N.I am cancelling my Pay T V. when these Boys go>>can’t stand the other channels.
Can’t believe it>>>the mighty dollar????
Hey Freddie Foxtel will not like that losing customers !!!!!!
But you are right
IFTHEY DO NOT USE RICHARD CALENDER IT WILL BE A GREAT LOSS TO THE RACING INDUSTRY HE WILL DRAW A GOOD AUDIENCE TV STATIONS WOULD BE MAD NOT TO USE A PERSON LIKE HIM WITH RACING KNOWLEDGE THAT HE HAS !!!!!!!
GERARD
Thanks to to every one at TVN. You had great support in the west among my mates.
Great for eastern states racing. I Will miss the characters of racing , the humour , tips ,
Racing Review and Get On.
You Told it as it was and left sky for dead in the hip pocket stakes in tipping a winner.
Melbourne and Sydney racing has lost a great deal in TVN shutting shop,
Just hope we see Clarkey, Richard ,Richo, Sharkie , Gator and the other’s on another channel somewhere. Thanks again Boys , job done well.
Joe WA
I watch TVN all the time but didn’t know the full story until today. I agree with others. How can we watch those clowns on Sky?
SPECIALIST RACING COMMENTARY BY THE BEST THOROUGHBRED COMMENTATORS AND JUDGES THROUGHOUT AUSTRALASIA IS IMPERATIVE TO ELEVATE THE BEST OF HORSE, OWNER/TRAINER, JOCKEY AND PUNTER.
WHAT IS NEEDED IS FOR FULL COVERAGE VIA SATELLITE TO SYNCHRONISE THE NZ RACING SCENE WITH THE INTERSTATE METROPOLITAN MEETINGS.
PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE BEST OF RACING FROM RANDWICK, ROSEHILL, CAULFIELD, FLEMINGTON, TRENTHAM, ELLERSLIE AND RICCARTON NOT THE HONG KONG SINGAPORE OR SHANGHAI RACING SCENE.
TVN WAS THE BEST SERVICE AND I BELIEVE THE CHANNEL NOW SHOULD IMPLEMENT AN INTERNATIONAL RACING PANEL INCLUDING THE BEST OF KIWI.
CHRIS WALLER, BJORN BAKER, MICHAEL WALKER AND SO MUCH MORE TALENT ACROSS THE TASMAN COULD MAKE THE SPORT OF KINGS SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE ONCE NZ CAME ON LINE WITHIN A THREE WAY HOOK UP.
DONT FLOOD OUR PREMIER RACING CHANNEL WITH DOGS, COCKROACHES, MILLIPEDES OR CAME RACES.
THE AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING SCENE DESERVES THE BEST TELEVISION COVERAGE IN THE WORLD.
Mounting yard,mounting yard, mounting yard. I want to see the horses,trainers and jockeys. Now have to suffer tiny pictures of horses surrounded by betting etc . Just not good enough for people that love thoroughbred racing.
Will stop betting on the horses now.No TVN no betting for me.Its coverage was outstanding.No way I will be watching the garbage on Sky.Good working racing lost another customer
Sorry to see TVN go; loved the pre race previews and the after race interviews with jockey and trainer. Presenters were very professional as well as entertaining.
It’s a shame the mighty dollar had to destroy this great program.
5 days of boring,terrible coverage
Will stop betting on the horses now.No TVN no betting for me.Its coverage was outstanding.No way I will be watching the garbage on Sky.Good working racing lost another customer
Ditto Jason, I agree 200% only put [pay TV on for this program, the rest not a squirt of duck pooh, shuv it SKY, Good Luck Richie & all the TVN crew, they don’t deserve you.
The biggest loser will be sky racing, good luck & thank you TVN team.
It only happened a week ago and I cant believe I have only had two bets for the week. The crap that is being dished up already is shameful from Sky even to the point giving Gators comments from the mounting yard and not allowing his tips. No visual on market moves ,no interviews, no number of starts on their so called form guides with wins and placings and no fixed price from the betting ring. Racing has gone back ten years.
would have been good to see after race interview with trainer of THE BIG DANCE
a $740 horse winning a big race. PATHETIC