Putting punters in picture as NSW clubs form united front to restore race vision

NSW race clubs have vowed to form a united front on the race broadcast rights issue as crucial negotiations begin to restore NSW race vision to TAB outlets.

Putting punters in picture

NSW race clubs have vowed to form a united front on the race broadcast rights issue as crucial negotiations begin on Monday to restore NSW race vision to TAB outlets.

“I think it is important the three sectors of NSW racing (metropolitan, provincial and country clubs) all stick together on this issue,’’ said James Heddo, the chairman of the Provincial Racing Association.

Peter V'landys is eager to get the ball rolling so that punters are no longer inconvenienced.

“We have been kept fairly up to date with what has been happening with TVN so far, and we will continue to work with Racing NSW and be guided by their advice.’’

In the wake of the TVN split last week, Racing NSW representatives meet on Monday with officials from Tabcorp, owners of Sky Racing.

A priority will be to restore broadcasts of Sydney and NSW gallops to Sky Racing home viewers and TAB outlets as soon as possible.

It is expected Sky Racing could resume showing NSW race broadcasts as early as New Year’s Day.

Sky has been unable to show racing from NSW and Victoria over the past two weeks and this has had an impact on TAB wagering turnover.

The racing industry relies on wagering revenue, mostly from the TAB, for its income.

Racing NSW has representation on the TVN board and the racing regulator’s chief executive Peter V’landys said talks with Sky would resume on Monday.

“Our first focus is to get the pictures back to the punters,” V’landys said. “The people who watch racing are the punters. Wagering revenue is what keeps us going.”

TVN is jointly owned by the ATC and Victorian race clubs but on Boxing Day NSW announced it was breaking away from TVN to resume negotiations with Sky Racing.

Talks between the TAB-owned Sky Racing and fellow racing broadcaster TVN, which holds the media rights, broke down this month.

Sky had been operating on short-term agreements with TVN but declined to extend the contract.