Clubs Back Victorian Racing To Sign With Seven Network For Free-To-Air Coverage

Victorian racing "will sign a deal with the Seven Network within days," according to Rod Nicholson of the SUNDAY HERALD SUN. The Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club and Country Racing Victoria "have agreed with Racing Victoria’s preference to link up with the Seven Network rather than commit long-term to the Tabcorp-owned SkyChannel." Racing Victoria on Saturday was working on "fine print" before announcing a deal -- "ironically a day after the Seven Network added a new channel 78 to its suite of outlets." The clubs "have required clarification before signing of a guarantee of their future funding distribution from wagering revenue." They "are prepared to risk a blackout on SkyChannel as they believe once they have a free-to-air contract it will be able to regain vision on Sky to help the Tabcorp/Racing Victoria wagering partnership -- greatly dependent on vision of Victorian racing -- to continue record financial rewards" (SUNDAY HERALD SUN, 6/13).