October
JulyRisky business
I am a member, owner and punter who is very concerned about the direction the racing hierarchy is taking us.
They say that the move to Channel Seven will benefit racing. However after many years of operating a stand-alone channel (TVN) it did not look like breaking even so why will this time be different?
Yes the media environment and racing is changing quickly, which might be a very good reason to be careful and take the Sky deal, which guarantees racing’s future for 10 years, and revisit the options then.
Observations from the pub:
1. If NSW and Victoria combined could not pay the costs and receive all the advertising revenue of a stand-alone channel how can Victoria standing alone?
The channel (78) will need Victoria to cover all costs and presumably give some of the revenue to Seven (who I presume do not work for nothing and neither they should) and will have a smaller product (no NSW racing) with the only potential return coming from people unable to currently view, who view 78 then get involved in punting.
If there is any punter in Victoria who cannot view a race (Sky, internet, phone, local pub or TAB) and wants to, I have never seen one. My overseas relatives call this “Gambling Land” — they cannot believe the current exposure.
2. Finally, have the powers that be considered the possibility of government legislation limiting gambling advertising on free-to-air? It’s a possibility which would apparently wreck the model being considered.
The only sensible solution is to protect the industry and its stakeholders by deferring the decision for 10 years (not forever!).
Caulfield South (Vic)