Have been off the punt lately, but went into the tab to watch one of my favourite racing events today only to get crappy radio coverage, it really hit home then just how much this cancer could affect the industry. The government can intervene, constitutional and common law have both interpreted that Govt has power over telecommunications laws, so it would not be out of their jurisdiction to pass an act to help resolve the matter, although this is unlikely, and the “independent” ACCC will probably end up resolving the matter. TVN looks like a great coverage, I don't think many disagree there but surely there can be room for this in depth coverage, as well as just the race coverage by Sky.


I am amused by the hypocrisy on this thread, with many forumites against the privatisation of broadcast rights, but all for open-slather betting rights.
I also see a lot of complaints about greed here, but greed is what drives our economy, without greed nothing gets done. As a great economist Adam Smith once said,

“It is not through the benevolence of the baker that we have fresh bread of a morning”.

Desire to produce wealth is not only necessary but essential, and apparent in every industry. Sky (Tab) can and will get the coverage, no doubt about that, it’s just in its infancy stages and negotiations have not yet eventuated. Both parties have enormous bargaining power with the Tab responsible for a large percentage of race prize money. They have a mutualistic relationship (which at the moment has become parasitic); either party can’t operate without the other; however it will take time until they work out when ‘price is right’.

People talk about monopolies as such an evil force, monopoly is a beautiful word in business, Sky will try and maintain its monopoly on broadcasting, just as the Tab will with betting, they have a duty to shareholders to try and preserve this position, if it will maximise profits. Just as the racing clubs have the right and duty to try and ensure they recieve the best price for their product.

Sky (tab), have been the price-makers for so long, it will be intriguing to see where the industry ends up if and when they are forced to become price-takers. One things for sure, the only people who will eventually benefit is you and me, competition in the industry will ensure better coverage and better prices, it may just take a little time to get there.

Just my two bobs, and I was on Chakra (filthy cat)

Cheers ED