Infighting Over Board Appointments Stalls New TVN Racing Deal

The future of a multimillion-dollar deal for the TV rights of racing in New South Wales is being "stalled by infighting over who should sit on the board of broadcaster TVN," according to Chris Roots of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The TVN board has been "in caretaker-mode" for more than three months as powerbrokers in NSW and Victoria "attempt to position themselves for control of the pay-TV racing broadcast operator." The new board needs to be in place before a CEO can be appointed to replace Peter Sweeney, who will leave his CEO position this month. The deal, which will secure the broadcaster's future, "cannot be finalised until then." Attempts to appoint a new board "have hit several obstacles." Victoria Racing Club Chair Michael Burn and Melbourne Racing Club Chair Michael Symons have been put forward by their respective clubs. However, there is "opposition to both men" because they previously held consultancy contracts with the broadcaster (SMH, 10/8).