A resolution with wagering firm Tabcorp is Racing Victoria CEO Bernard Saundry’s "main priority this week," according to Michael Manley of the HERALD SUN. Saundry said that "he wanted to negotiate the right commercial outcome in order to reinstate Victorian racing on to Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing 2 channels to show in pubs and clubs as soon as possible." Tabcorp is continuing its blackout policy imposed last week "after learning that RVL’s preferred media provider for Victorian racing would be Seven West Media." Saundry and RV "got full agreement from all clubs on Sunday to commit to its plan to broadcast racing on Channel Seven." Saundry and RVL Chair David Moodie spoke with Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough on Sunday and the two parties again had discussions Sunday afternoon. Saundry said, "We’re now re-engaging with Tabcorp to get the vision back into the pubs and clubs and homes. If we could do this then that would complete the package. I want to see and so does the RVL Board, more people betting with Tabcorp and we believe this free-to-air platform will eventually deliver that." Last week RVL said that turnover dropped 2.7% last Tuesday and 6% last Wednesday "on comparative meetings." Tabcorp "wants to resolve issues around the value of the Victorian racing pictures," which it said had been greatly diminished since its new arrangement with Seven (HERALD SUN, 6/22).
