Racing Channel to relaunch - Again!

mike2084

The Racing Post is once again reporting that the Racing Channel is to return in January.

You must be registered with the site to read the story so I'll put it up here:

Source:
http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/?MIval=rp_std_page&psection=racingpost.co.uk&page=latest7

Second satellite channel could be on the horizon


by Howard Wright



A SECOND satellite television channel dedicated to live horseracing and greyhound racing could be up and running on the Sky platform by early next year, offering action from a number of venues that are not available on Attheraces, as well as covering some that are.

In what in effect would be the return of the Racing Channel, which closed in January, it is expected that horseracing would be shown from the ten smaller tracks signed up to GG-Media, whose picture rights are owned by SIS, and Ireland, noneof whose pictures are on Attheraces.

There would also be horseracing from those tracks in the United States that have an agreement with TVG, the interactive racing and betting network.

Greyhound racing would be shown from a variety of tracks. Amongthose operators that have been approached are the Greyhound Racing Association and the major bookmakers.

Whereas the Racing Channel was owned by SIS, its successor would belong to an independent company, for whom former Coral Eurobet managing directorand BHB racing director Trevor Beaumont and David Craven, ex-chief executive of 24 Dogs, are acting in a consultancy capacity.

Rumours that alternatives to Attheraces were being put together have circulated almost since the day that the Racing Channelwent off the air on January 31, three weeks after it ended live British racing coverage. There had even been mention of a starting date of November 1.

However, the project being guided by Beaumont and Craven has come together only in the last few days, with the completion of a feasibility study that provided the confidence for talks to continue with content providers, while City institutions are canvassed for the necessary finance.

Craven said on Saturday: "We've been delighted with the encouragement we've had from the bookmakers and the rights holders to the idea of bringing back an alternative racing channel, and we're grateful for the strong interest shown by BSkyB and SIS."

The Racing Channel went on air for the first time on November 6, 1995, but its future was put in doubt when 49 racecourses signed over their live picture rights to Attheraces, which began broadcasting on May 1 last year.

SIS brought in racing from Ireland, South Africa and the United States to supplement its coverage of the GG-Media tracks, but finances became unsupportable when a new deal with Ireland, which would have enabled the US-based TRNi to cover the cost of a day-long channel, could not be agreed.

The model being developed by Beaumont and Craven, which initially does not have an interactive element, differs in that it would provide a purely betting channel - "a betting-shop service on the sofa", as one source said.

The venture would draw revenue direct from the bookmakers, who would not be competing against the channel's own betting operation, as in the case of Attheraces, but would be expected to market the channel and take their own bets.

News that the new venture has reached a crucial stage in its development comes only days after it was revealed that Attheraces had recorded a loss of £16.7 million for the first half of the year.

robert muldoon

Thanks for posting that info

Mossy Monk

surely it wont be FTA this time. it should go on the Family Package with attheraces. it will be good to see it's return

mike2084

http://skydigital.mediabullet.co.uk/ have now picked up on this story so hopefully thats a good sign.

Dec4

Media Bullet have just blagged the Racing Post copy. Hardly gives any more grounds for authenticity. On the other hand Brian Kavanagh Chief Exec of HRI is on the record as saying there will be Irish racing back on TV screens ( It's in their 5 Year Strategic Plan launched 2003 ). Unlikely to go down the attheraces route so there will more than likely be an alternative station. The sooner the better. There are rumours that it may be a ( separate ) subscription only service.
Slightly OT
Didn't attheraces make the most of the fact that they were allowed rebroadcast the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes ( what a mouthful ) because it was part of the world racing series ?

dmeehan

wasnt the racing ch subscription before attheraces came along?

if they go for a subscription only package, no oe will watch except those in the bookies...

Dec4

Lot of people both here and UK using betting exchanges (eg Betfair ) and those genuinely interested in racing would be quite happy to pay sub. Unlikely that the major bookmaking firms will finance the lot based on betting turnover figures from attheraces.

Mossy Monk

iirc it was about £20/month on satellite. then it went FTA when attheraces started

mike2084

iirc it was about £20/month on satellite. then it went FTA when attheraces started

I think it will be in the Family pack or no more than €10 a month as theres going to be days when theres only South African racing or Nothing at all. American, German, Czech & Dog Racing are the only other racing they can when theres no Irish or GG-Media (non ATR Tracks) Racing. Remember Attheraces have a 10 year contract on 49 English tracks, and contracts for French, South African and TRNi American. I suppose the Racing Channel could always simulcast Portman Park & Steepledowns!!

Didn't attheraces make the most of the fact that they were allowed rebroadcast the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes ( what a mouthful ) because it was part of the world racing series ?

The reason that this is getting such mileage is because their mad that High Chaparral didn't get thrown out and are crying fowl that Falbrav didn't get it.

mike2084

Sorry, guys forgot this. A serious rant by my standards!!

On the other hand Brian Kavanagh Chief Exec of HRI is on the record as saying there will be Irish racing back on TV screens ( It's in their 5 Year Strategic Plan launched 2003 ).

The Racing Channel would still be going strong if the same HRI hadn't been so unreasonable last January by first wanting so much a month and then wanting a percentage of the betting turnover on each race, then they thought that Attheraces would beg for the pictures, but alas they didn't.