http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/s...storyid=3223367

The real cost of racing's TV war
By RAY THOMAS Racing Editor
June 3, 2005

RACING'S television war has resulted in a staggering $12 million downturn in betting turnover on Sydney and Victorian racing in just one month, The Daily Telegraph has learned.

The disturbing decline in racing industry revenues has forced one of NSW racing's most influential and respected figures to make a passionate plea to end the sport's broadcast rights dispute.

All I can say is what did the idiots expect to happen who wants to bet on something they can't see certainly not me or alot of other people I know who have basically boycotted Melbourne and Sydney since this all began. I probably haven't had a bet in Sydney for about 2 months now and I must say I don't miss it at all wouldn't particularly care if I never see it again to be honest but Melbourne is a different story I like betting there especially when they are racing at Flemington but because I can't see the races most of the time I miss them because I don't know that they are coming up.

They are crazy to think that it will get better because unless they change it nothing is going to change I amnot saying the TVN is a bad product I would have a clue what it is like but I do think that they either have to go to free to air or find a way onto Austar and Optus or they are going to continue to go in a downward spiral.

I remember seeing an ad for TVN offering $9.95 for the first year its on Foxtel but i only got connected on Friday so i couldnt get it but if i see it advertised again ill grab it.

Makes you laugh, when they were all spouting that Betfair would be the scourge & the ultimate demise of racing. Seems to me they're doing a pretty good job by themselves.

And is it me..... or is TVN coverage amateurish..... reminds me of Channel 31 (community TV channel in Melb) Saturday horse racing coverage......


Come to think of it Channel 31 seemed to do it better....

and now tvn is suing everyone else.

as an austar watcher i am aggrieved that tabcorp shut out austar from taking tvn and now are paying the price.

tabcorp could have had it both ways if it had allowed the signal to go to austar and optus.

it would have kept the turnover up without having to televise those areas.

business is funny - usually the customer comes first but in this case they dont count.

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laurie