Irish Racing Coverage

Imhof Tank · 07-02-2018 8:14pm

From the Field online today:

The new agreement with RMG, which will take effect from January 1 2019 and run until the end of 2023, was ratified by the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) who, together with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), have a deal regarding broadcasting rights with SIS.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "This deal is a very positive one and is in the best commercial interests of Irish racing.

"It secures income streams for media rights for the next six years and aligns all of our rights across all platforms with the same strong partners.

____________

No pretence even that this is about anything except short term income stream. What will happen at next contract negotiation when ATR as we know it is gone and RUK have a total monopoly on day to day coverage?

I says · 07-02-2018 8:18pm

Imhof Tank wrote: »

From the Field online today:

The new agreement with RMG, which will take effect from January 1 2019 and run until the end of 2023, was ratified by the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) who, together with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), have a deal regarding broadcasting rights with SIS.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "This deal is a very positive one and is in the best commercial interests of Irish racing.

"It secures income streams for media rights for the next six years and aligns all of our rights across all platforms with the same strong partners.

____________

No pretence even that this is about anything except short term income stream. What will happen at next contract negotiation when ATR as we know it is gone and RUK have a total monopoly on day to day coverage?

They will get short shift from the government of the day when they go back looking for funds on the 1st day of 2024.

antietam · 07-02-2018 9:13pm

I says wrote: »

They will get short shift from the government of the day when they go back looking for funds on the 1st day of 2024.

Unfortuneatly the "liar Kenny"has his hand prints all over this along with the whole of Munster TDs add in other bias then you see one of the best performing tracks in Ireland,Roscommon is doomed. Ive christened it"the Windsor of Ireland"because it gets only Mondays where the ****hole that is Kilbeggan gets Fridays/Saturdays.Look at Wexford a dump,Tramore a bigger dump,Ballinrobe [Kennys patch] got built a brand new stand, weigh room,parade ring and work done on the track by HRI on a designated tiny budget[not considering he [Kenny]got MacHale park upgraded Illegally [5m investment]ahead of Hyde Park,Roscommon for the failed attempt at the rugby World cup].Clonmel has been as corrupt as is possible[wont speak wrong of the dead],Tipperary or old Limerick Junction is a ****e track of epic proportions as a glass of water would make it heavy.Maybe HRI with their new found wealth[not withstanding all top stables are covered on all boards]could follow the drugs and the masking agents they use which is rampant beyond belief.

antietam · 07-02-2018 9:23pm

I says wrote: »

They will get short shift from the government of the day when they go back looking for funds on the 1st day of 2024.

Unfortuneatly the "liar Kenny"has his hand prints all over this along with the whole of Munster TDs add in other bias then you see one of the best performing tracks in Ireland,Roscommon is doomed. Ive christened it"the Windsor of Ireland"because it gets only Mondays where the ****hole that is Kilbeggan gets Fridays/Saturdays.Look at Wexford a dump,Tramore a bigger dump,Ballinrobe [Kennys patch] got built a brand new stand, weigh room,parade ring and work done on the track by HRI on a designated tiny budget[not considering he [Kenny]got MacHale park upgraded Illegally [5m investment]ahead of Hyde Park,Roscommon for the failed attempt at the rugby World cup].Clonmel has been as corrupt as is possible[wont speak wrong of the dead],Tipperary or old Limerick Junction is a ****e track of epic proportions as a glass of water would make it heavy.Maybe HRI with their new found wealth[not withstanding all top stables are covered on all boards]could follow the drugs and the masking agents they use which is rampant beyond belief.Roscommon lost its ultra valuable Sunday because HRI told me after warning [I will go public for explaination]that it would clash with Roscommon GAA fixtures,OMG.I have had words with Mick Finneran[not capable of been a manager of a racecourse imo based on HRI exceptance].

I says · 07-02-2018 10:16pm

antietam wrote: »

Unfortuneatly the "liar Kenny"has his hand prints all over this along with the whole of Munster TDs add in other bias then you see one of the best performing tracks in Ireland,Roscommon is doomed. Ive christened it"the Windsor of Ireland"because it gets only Mondays where the ****hole that is Kilbeggan gets Fridays/Saturdays.Look at Wexford a dump,Tramore a bigger dump,Ballinrobe [Kennys patch] got built a brand new stand, weigh room,parade ring and work done on the track by HRI on a designated tiny budget[not considering he [Kenny]got MacHale park upgraded Illegally [5m investment]ahead of Hyde Park,Roscommon for the failed attempt at the rugby World cup].Clonmel has been as corrupt as is possible[wont speak wrong of the dead],Tipperary or old Limerick Junction is a ****e track of epic proportions as a glass of water would make it heavy.Maybe HRI with their new found wealth[not withstanding all top stables are covered on all boards]could follow the drugs and the masking agents they use which is rampant beyond belief.Roscommon lost its ultra valuable Sunday because HRI told me after warning [I will go public for explaination]that it would clash with Roscommon GAA fixtures,OMG.I have had words with Mick Finneran[not capable of been a manager of a racecourse imo based on HRI exceptance].

The forsale signs will start appearing on tracks when this deal is over to fund the rest of the industry

antietam · 07-02-2018 10:34pm

I says wrote: »

The forsale signs will start appearing on tracks when this deal is over to fund the rest of the industry

What industry does HRI want.Pour unwanted monies into the accounts of billionaires or try and help the persons/syndicates off low standing.HRI are not willing to promote low level racing as they flately refuse to debate this Issue.

Mr321 · 07-02-2018 11:43pm

Its already happening for those tracks as RUK say they won't be covering them.
No separate channel from them so they will be either splitting up the screens or times will be made suit them best they can from their tracks they cover eh.

What's ATR going to start to try and save it? Look for greyhound coverage, as we all stayed it'll start sinking but as I said before the excellent website for form study etc they have will be gone to!

Francie Barrett · 08-02-2018 10:39am

It's funny. Virtually everyone involved with Irish racing (including McManus and O'Leary) have come out and said this is a bad thing. Two of the few exceptions have been Ted and Ruby Walsh - both of whom are in the pay of RacingUK. Horse racing has provided very good careers to these two money hungry individuals, but they are quick to throw dirt in its face for a few lousy pounds. Shame on them.

TheQuietFella · 08-02-2018 10:43am

famagusta wrote: »

This is unbelievable news, putting racing out of reach of the normal punter even more. Terrible decision. I would say 90%of lads on here don't have racing uk. I don't anyway.

So punters can pay for ye're bets but not to watch it?

famagusta · 08-02-2018 3:51pm

TheQuietFella wrote:

So punters can pay for ye're bets but not to watch it?

What?

Shemale · 09-02-2018 8:16am

STB. wrote: »

According to the HRI/Racecources Assoc, they have been given assurances that it will not receive any less coverage and attenton.

Such utter PR bollox, nothing contractual so.

Bookies will be upping the min stake to watch races next

Shaney Boy · 11-02-2018 11:47pm

I go racing a good bit during the winter. The sport is dying on its feet if you look at the profile of those who attend the winter meetings. I know a lot of the regular attendees by name at this stage. My initial interest racing came from watching it on RTE in the old days. We used to get the English racing on the Saturday as part of Sports stadium. Over the years, the profile of the sport has diminished as sport moved off the mainstream television. For god's sake, yesterday's racing was on ITV4. I nearly needed a training course to find it on the Skybox. My interest in Irish racing over the past number of years has been renewed by the extensive coverage on ATR. In fact, following it at home on the television has encouraged me to go racing as I know more about what's going on than I used years ago. I don't know what the monies were but moving to a single channel RUK platform is a retrograde step.

diomed · 12-02-2018 11:48am

I agree with the above poster (and welcome to boards.ie).
I'm in my late 60s. When I was growing up there was about three hours of horse racing on BBC on a Saturday afternoon. And they showed more than just the start of the race as they had to fill the time. I remember vividly seeing Sea-Bird win the English Derby on BBC1 in spectacular style.

Now the Saturday afternoon BBC TV slot is filled with programs about buying antiques, buying houses in the country or abroad, cooking with Mary Berry.
If horse racing viewing needs special TV packages / subscriptions then the population will know nothing about the sport.

HRI may have got some money for the administration of the sport in Ireland, but the price is too high for the future popularity of horse racing.
How much would it cost to set up an Irish horse racing TV channell? TG4 did it.
There is too much grovelling to commercial interests. HRI needs a good shake up.

diomed · 12-02-2018 11:52am

A horse racing TV channel would not need to be horse racing only.
We are well known for our sports horses, stud farms, point to point meetings, horse fairs.

Imhof Tank · 12-02-2018 1:03pm

diomed wrote: »

A horse racing TV channel would not need to be horse racing only.
We are well known for our sports horses, stud farms, point to point meetings, horse fairs.

No way could any new station (i) outbid bookie owned SIS for the rights and then (ii) expect to sell the rights back to the same bookies for their shop coverage.

Irish Horse TV for the sport horse only sector was tried online a few years ago and folded in a short time. Horse & Country TV is on the sky platform - its ok for what it is but is run on a shoestring. No way would their ad income cover racing rights.

marvin80 · 12-02-2018 2:12pm

diomed wrote: »

HRI needs a good shake up.

That's the main issue I think.
For example they've taken the decision regarding Racing UK on their without any consultation with a lot of the main stakeholders involved in Irish Horse Racing from what I can see.

STB. · 12-02-2018 2:37pm

Imhof Tank wrote: »

No way could any new station (i) outbid bookie owned SIS for the rights and then (ii) expect to sell the rights back to the same bookies for their shop coverage.

That was never an issue as there is a clear distinction between each set of rights sold.

SIS (Ladbrokes/Coral/WH/betfred) effectively now own the rights to all horse racing to be sold to the bookies. TurfTv previously had some of these rights - 37 tracks worth. What has been a bone of contention is the prohibitive costs for smaller independent bookies of the SIS feeds. I gather some agreement was reached with the independents in the UK. I dont know about here.

The retail rights for private houses have been a casualty of the commercial changes. It would seem that HRI have taken the assurances they have received on the retail end as gospel, whilst also taking a large cheque for same and the new commercial arrangements.

RUK is not as betting focussed as ATR. There are some serious bores on that station too. James Willoughby springs to mind.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2018 4:07pm

Be nice for a few of the papers to give some idea of the sums involved. I saw a figure of €35m bandied around for the RUK deal, which presumably is over 5 years. How does that compare with the ATR deal and what was the counter offer, if any, this time around?

HRI are operating in a landscape where there is real anxiety about the level of state investment. Media rights are utterly critical and the imperative is to have enhanced competition for the various packages which would be compromised if ATR was seen as a slam dunk every time. Nobody complained when the SIS deal was done a few years ago - all the papers wrote positively about it - and the latest saga was just one logical outcome of it. It’s sad on several levels but money will win out every time, that’s the reality.

Francie Barrett · 15-02-2018 2:16pm

https://www.irishracing.com/blog-item?headline=Out-Of-Sight---Out-Of-Mind&prid=189079

Good article from Brian O' Connor on the matter.

diomed · 15-02-2018 3:00pm

That is a good article. This quote from it says it all.

there is always one message the game here manages to send out loud, clear and consistent. And that is that there's no percentage in fans, so why bother.

Meanwhile following the disappointing news (to them) of no increase in betting tax in the budget HRI continues its campaign to increase betting tax ... and presumably feather their nest.

The Mig · 30-04-2018 2:08pm

ATR to re-brand as Sky Sports Racing from 1st Jan 2019 while also adding racecourses Chester and Bangor.

Channel will be available in HD and for the 1st time will be available on Sky Go devices

UrbanFret · 02-05-2018 7:50pm

The Mig wrote: »

ATR to re-brand as Sky Sports Racing from 1st Jan 2019 while also adding racecourses Chester and Bangor.

Channel will be available in HD and for the 1st time will be available on Sky Go devices

Will most likely be leaving shardcare on January 1st too.:mad:

I says · 07-05-2018 2:31pm

8 meetings today,the two Irish having great exposure on ATR today it will be six meetings on racing uk next year how is this good for Irish racing again?

I says · 12-09-2018 8:41pm

RUK assures online coverage of Irish races but television output not guaranteed
BY RICHARD FORRISTAL 6:44PM 12 SEP 2018
Racing UK has moved to re-emphasise a live web feed will be available from all 26 Irish racecourses on its online Extra platform when the channel assumes Irish racing's direct-to-home broadcast rights on January 1, 2019.

That’s that then.
Goodbye Irish racing and attracting new viewers.

Realalemadrid · 12-09-2018 9:31pm

Why are people so afraid of online. ATR is barely watchable, this won't make a difference to the average punter.
La Liga
US Open Tennis
Irish racing - this is how the world is going.

Joe_ Public · 12-09-2018 10:09pm

This will certainly make a difference to the elderly who wouldn’t be adept with technology or might not even have a computer at all. I think of my elderly racing mad father who certainly fits into this boat.

The sports selling out to the online broadcasters don’t give a fck about the older generation anyway, could live to regret it too.

Whiplash85 · 12-09-2018 10:11pm

Realalemadrid wrote: »

Why are people so afraid of online. ATR is barely watchable, this won't make a difference to the average punter.
La Liga
US Open Tennis
Irish racing - this is how the world is going.

Most people that watch Irish racing in this country are of a certain vintage. Most dont have Ipads to watch on racing UK app. You are probably in a minority of 1 who thinks ATR is unwatchable. They do a brilliant job covering Irish racing.

Realalemadrid · 12-09-2018 10:16pm

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Most people that watch Irish racing in this country are of a certain vintage. Most dont have Ipads to watch on racing UK app. You are probably in a minority of 1 who thinks ATR is unwatchable. They do a brilliant job covering Irish racing.

Not unwatchable to be fair but the picture quality is very poor and does a disservice to the product they work so hard to promote.

With the advent of firesticks and chromecasts these devices are as easy to work out as a skybox.

Again people should embrace rather than dismiss readily. I agree that it would be better on ATR, but I'm not sure about the impact of this on the general public.

I says · 12-09-2018 11:58pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

This will certainly make a difference to the elderly who wouldn’t be adept with technology or might not even have a computer at all. I think of my elderly racing mad father who certainly fits into this boat.

The sports selling out to the online broadcasters don’t give a fck about the older generation anyway, could live to regret it too.

The next generation of fans will miss out also

ANDREWMUFC · 13-09-2018 12:26am

Online is sh*te. Should be kept on the telly like it always has been

The Tetrarch · 13-09-2018 9:03am

see post #75 above
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ruk-assures-online-coverage-of-irish-races-but-television-output-not-guaranteed/345713

Up to a month ago I was using analogue TV.

Do I now need to pay €31 a month to watch Irish racing (other than RTE)?

Reading between the lines ...
"action-packed days" pose logistical difficulties ... means what? Not a live feed of the race?
"We will endeavour to show all races in their entirety" - we will show the last furlong
"If there are race clashes ... common sense ... will prevail" - just saying again you will watch a replay
"nearly 90 per cent of all Group and Graded races that are run in Britain and Ireland will now be on the same service" - we own everything. Pay us.

Is it €31 a month to watch some Irish racing?

I says · 13-09-2018 9:13pm

The Tetrarch wrote: »

see post #75 above
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ruk-assures-online-coverage-of-irish-races-but-television-output-not-guaranteed/345713

Up to a month ago I was using analogue TV.
Do I now need to pay €31 a month to watch Irish racing (other than RTE)?

Reading between the lines ...
"action-packed days" pose logistical difficulties ... means what? Not a live feed of the race?
"We will endeavour to show all races in their entirety" - we will show the last furlong
"If there are race clashes ... common sense ... will prevail" - just saying again you will watch a replay
"nearly 90 per cent of all Group and Graded races that are run in Britain and Ireland will now be on the same service" - we own everything. Pay us.

Is it €31 a month to watch some Irish racing?

Yes

The Mig · 14-09-2018 9:38am

Realalemadrid wrote: »

Why are people so afraid of online. ATR is barely watchable, this won't make a difference to the average punter.
La Liga
US Open Tennis
Irish racing - this is how the world is going.

Them online streaming sites are a good minute behind the actual live feed too. Certainly not afraid but the time delay in live pictures would be my issue.
Moving Irish Racing to a online platform would be disastrous move IMO

Realalemadrid · 14-09-2018 1:18pm

The Mig wrote: »

Them online streaming sites are a good minute behind the actual live feed too. Certainly not afraid but the time delay in live pictures would be my issue.
Moving Irish Racing to a online platform would be disastrous move IMO

Thats is not correct - stream will be 5-6 seconds behind MAX - nothing more.

The Mig · 14-09-2018 1:25pm

Realalemadrid wrote: »

Thats is not correct - stream will be 5-6 seconds behind MAX - nothing more.

Watching a Barcelona match on Eleven Sports before the international break and I actually tested it by turning on my Livescore notifications for the same match. It was a minute behind the notification from livescore. There was plenty of notifications too as it was 8-2

Realalemadrid · 14-09-2018 1:28pm

The Mig wrote: »

Watching a Barcelona match on Eleven Sports before the international break and I actually tested it by turning on my Livescore notifications for the same match. It was a minute behind the notification from livescore. There was plenty of notifications too as it was 8-2

There are a multitude of reasons why a stream can lag behind the live feed. From connection speed to device capability etc. I wouldn't accept that from Eleven if you are used to different and it is certainly not the norm. There are plenty sticks to beat the new deal with - this wouldn't be one.

The Mig · 14-09-2018 1:35pm

Jaysus I know what can affect a stream.

You are in the tiny minority if you think moving to a online platform is good for Irish racing!

Realalemadrid · 14-09-2018 1:44pm

The Mig wrote: »

Jaysus I know what can affect a stream.

If you knew that then why did you come on complaining about same as if it will be a fait accompli on the new deal?

Some of the racing - id say less than 10% is moving online on busier days. The apocalypse is not nigh. This is just following a trend the world over.

The Coverage Irish racing gets other sports would kill for. I doubt the movement to RUK will kill any significant interest.

Tracks will move from RUK to ATR in England over the next while I think and within a year or so it will be generally the same coverage.

Its weird but the Down Royal meeting on St. Stephen's Day is never on ATR - they always show it after on a delay - same for the odd other meeting. Never heard anyone moan about that. The instance of this will increase and its not ideal, but I think it will sort itself out in time.

As you say - a minority of one - but the reaction to this is bordering on hysterical.

marvin80 · 14-09-2018 1:48pm

Even if online streaming is taking off having tv coverage is still very important.

Take for example casual viewers - if I'm going through the Sky Sports channels and see a La Liga match I'll probably watch it to see if it's any use.
It's online now and there's a very small chance I'll go looking for it.

Irish Racing coverage is being screwed and putting it online is only going to further damage it.

Joe_ Public · 14-09-2018 2:01pm

Realalemadrid wrote: »

If you knew that then why did you come on complaining about same as if it will be a fait accompli on the new deal?

Some of the racing - id say less than 10% is moving online on busier days. The apocalypse is not nigh. This is just following a trend the world over.

The Coverage Irish racing gets other sports would kill for. I doubt the movement to RUK will kill any significant interest.

Tracks will move from RUK to ATR in England over the next while I think and within a year or so it will be generally the same coverage.

Its weird but the Down Royal meeting on St. Stephen's Day is never on ATR - they always show it after on a delay - same for the odd other meeting. Never heard anyone moan about that. The instance of this will increase and its not ideal, but I think it will sort itself out in time.

As you say - a minority of one - but the reaction to this is bordering on hysterical.

How many UK meetings aren’t shown on Stephens Day as well? It’s a pretty exceptional day in the racing calendar to be using to bolster an argument.

Realalemadrid · 14-09-2018 2:07pm

marvin80 wrote: »

Even if online streaming is taking off having tv coverage is still very important.

Take for example casual viewers - if I'm going through the Sky Sports channels and see a La Liga match I'll probably watch it to see if it's any use.
It's online now and there's a very small chance I'll go looking for it.

Irish Racing coverage is being screwed and putting it online is only going to further damage it.

I'm labouring the point at this stage, but sky satellite subscriptions are hemorrhaging at the moment. The future of sport is people picking and choosing what they want to watch via online platforms ( two people in the last few posts have specifically referred to La Liga now only available online - so don't tell me it can't potentially be a positive ) - in any case no one channel surfs and stops to see who is winning the 2.15 in Ballinrobe unless they have a specific interest in the race. The argument to me isn't valid. I might not be right but that is just my opinion

Realalemadrid · 14-09-2018 2:10pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

How many UK meetings aren’t shown on Stephens Day as well? It’s a pretty exceptional day in the racing calendar to be using to bolster an argument.

Fair point. St. Stephen's day has been used to further the crowded fixtures arguments in some other posts though in fact it is one of the first posts in the thread.

Joe_ Public · 14-09-2018 2:27pm

Realalemadrid wrote: »

Fair point. St. Stephen's day has been used to further the crowded fixtures arguments in some other posts though in fact it is one of the first posts in the thread.

Ah ok, I hadn’t seen that. I know what you’re saying about the future, nothing stands still and sometimes we got to accept change however much it discommodes us. But Uefa is just one body concerned with falling viewership from games not being available on terrestrial tv. There could be some rowing back on that front, hard to be certain.

As regards Irish racing the future of broadcasting could change, but I think for the sake of a couple of million they made a poor decision to abandon atr at this time. For a sport that gets such a generous slice of the public purse, it strikes me as a decision that is not in the interest of the majority of that public. Could be wrong but have a feeling they will be regretting it within a year.

antietam · 15-09-2018 1:02pm

Course managers I have spoken to have no Idea how the loss of ATR individual course funding is to be replaced as the HRI have not held any meetings to Inform course managers of the new deal with RUK.The feeling remains that certain courses could at best have their meetings reduced or at worse have all meetings canceled.There is little doubt that HRI will plow their Ill got gains into a small number of tracks with excessive prizemoney for uncompetitive 4/5/6 horse races.HRI have refused to answer questions on their outlook for Irish racing going forward over the next six years.

The Tetrarch · 18-09-2018 12:59pm

The number of racing fans will steadily decline unless new and younger adherents are continually attracted to the sport.
The American racetracks made the disastrous decision to discourage television coverage as they feared it would encourage illegal off-course betting. The results was that millions of potential racegoers who watched sport on television had no idea whatsoever of the spectacle and atmosphere of a racetrack. Other sports gained widespread media coverage and a national following. their stars becoming national figures whilst names like Shoemaker, Whittingham and Stephens were unknown except to convinced racing fans.

The Thoroughbred Business by Jocelyn De Moubray (1987)

STB. · 19-09-2018 7:57pm

Unless RUK opened a section channel they were never going to show all Irish racing meetings. Its just impossible. They knew this. Now they have all the retail rights, they are doing what they want.

Stand in a bookies and look at the amount of split screens and second and third screens such is the overlaps between meetings.

Even better, point your satellite dish at 4.8E and you'll see the number of channels each bookie has (the encryption of which has been broken for the last 3 years but thats another story).

The bookies are running the show. They want punters in shops.

Whiplash85 · 19-09-2018 11:16pm

STB. wrote: »

Unless RUK opened a section channel they were never going to show all Irish racing meetings. Its just impossible. They knew this. Now they have all the retail rights, they are doing what they want.

Stand in a bookies and look at the amount of split screens and second and third screens such is the overlaps between meetings.

Even better, point your satellite dish at 4.8E and you'll see the number of channels each bookie has (the encryption of which has been broken for the last 3 years but thats another story).

The bookies are running the show. They want punters in shops.

No they don't
They want them betting online. They can mine all data there and study behaviours and patterns.

Joe_ Public · 20-09-2018 12:42am

Whiplash85 wrote: »

No they don't
They want them betting online. They can mine all data there and study behaviours and patterns.

While I’m not sure precisely what influence bookie firms exert over Irish racing broadcasts, it goes without saying they most certainly want footfall in shops where they continue to draw the majority of their revenue. Which is why the likes of PP continue to expand its high street presence.

The Mig · 23-11-2018 10:01am

https://www.racinguk.com/racingukoffers/blackfriday

€12 a month for the next 12 months for RUK. I'll be taking them up on this offer!

Zarkandar · 23-11-2018 11:28am

The Mig wrote: »

https://www.racinguk.com/racingukoffers/blackfriday

€12 a month for the next 12 months for RUK. I'll be taking them up on this offer!

If you're on Virgin TV (not sky), do you know how you hook up your subscription to your tv package (using this discount)?

Irish Racing Coverage

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