The broadcast rights dispute between TVN and Sky Racing might continue into next year, according to Racing Victoria chairman Rob Roulston.
Roulston on Thursday issued a statement in support of TVN’s stance not to accept the latest broadcast deal from the Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing.
“Given the complexity of these discussions, and the wide gap in positions between Tabcorp (Sky Racing) and TVN and Victorian Thoroughbred Racing, our expectation is that this issue may not be resolved until the New Year,” Roulston said.
Roulston’s comments came a day after protracted negotiations between rights holder TVN, which is owned by the thoroughbred industry, and Sky Racing broke down.
The short-term rollover contract between the pair expired on Wednesday and on Thursday Sky Channel stopped broadcasting races from NSW and Victoria.
While Tabcorp is adamant Sky Racing has put an attractive package to TVN, the latter maintains the offer is not fair value for the media rights to racing.
Roulston said Racing Victoria was working with TVN to ensure punters had several ways to watch NSW and Victorian racing through various media streams, including on pay tv channel 522.
TVN also reached an agreement with Telstra on Thursday to live stream all Victorian and NSW races on racing.com.
