Racing New South Wales CEO Peter V'landys "has moved to protect Sydney's autumn carnival exposure on free-to-air television, claiming the imminent demise of embattled broadcaster TVN won't threaten racing's broadcast on a commercial network," according to Adam Pengilly of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
As the NSW and Victorian shareholders of TVN prepare to meet this week "to sort out the complexities of the split, Racing NSW may be faced with the prospect of drawing up a fresh agreement with Channel Seven." V'landys said that Seven "would be given every opportunity to maintain its involvement with the Sydney autumn and spring carnivals, highlighted by the fast-approaching The Championships." He said, "We were always going to honour that contract. As we have said from day one in this amicable split, we don't want any casualties and Channel Seven won't be a casualty." Seven "is set to maintain a permanent presence at this year's autumn carnival, spanning the Randwick Guineas meeting on March 7 right through until the All Aged Stakes card on April 18."
Seven "declined on Sunday to comment on whether it would directly negotiate a fresh deal with Racing NSW" (SMH, 1/11).
