NSW racing authorities hope punters will be back in the picture as soon as possible in the wake of the split with their Victorian partners in TVN.
Talks between the TAB-owned Sky Racing and fellow racing broadcaster TVN, which holds the media rights, broke down just over a week ago.
Sky Racing
Sky had been operating on short-term agreements with TVN but declined to extend the contract.
Since last week, Sky has been unable to show racing from NSW and Victoria, the biggest casualty being its service to pubs and clubs.
The racing industry relies on wagering revenue, mostly from the TAB, for its income.
TVN is jointly owned by the Australian Turf Club, Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club and Country Racing Victoria but on Friday, NSW announced the split and said it would go back to the table with Sky.
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.”
V’Landys said he would not comment on the lengthy press release issued by Racing Victoria on Thursday criticising the Racing NSW presence on the TVN board which is said weakened the position of the ATC.
“What happens in the board room is confidential and should remain that way,” he said.
The ATC says it primary focus is on the affected TVN staff and trying to find other avenues for them in the new structure.
