Churchill Downs Won't Authorize Horse Racing Network TVG To Broadcast Live Events

Churchill Downs has "not authorized Television Games Network to broadcast the track’s races live on its flagship network or on TVG’s website for this year’s spring meet," according to a source cited by Matt Hegarty of DAILY RACING FORM. TVG legal counsel John Hindman said that the signal blackout on the net "began on Saturday, when Churchill began its spring meet." However, the live television signal "is available on TVG2, a network that TVG rebranded after acquiring its competitor, HRTV, early last year." A source said that customers of TVG "are still able to bet on Churchill’s races through TVG’s website." The blackout is "likely related to Churchill’s position as a competitor to TVG in the account-wagering market." The weeklong run-up to the Kentucky Derby "is the most important promotional period of the year for account-wagering operators" (DRF.com, 5/4).