Bruce McAvaney is a staple of Channel 7's coverage.GETTY IMAGES
Australia's Channel 10 is reportedly "going to great lengths" to ensure TV pundit Bruce McAvaney does not "draw any eyeballs away from its Melbourne Cup coverage" in '19 and beyond, according to NEWS.com.au. McAvaney, a staple of Channel 7’s racing coverage and "long-time host of the race that stops the nation, waved goodbye to the Cup after this year’s broadcast." Channel 10 secured the TV rights to the race for five years, starting next year, and "it wants to make sure nobody goes searching elsewhere to get their McAvaney fix on the first Tuesday of November." While Seven "released its grip" on the Melbourne Cup, Racing.com will share the rights with Channel 10 next year. Racing.com is a partnership between Channel 7 and Racing Victoria and McAvaney headed the channel’s coverage of the Adelaide Cup this year. The 65-year-old indicated he is "keen to continue his involvement in the South Australian capital" but Ten is reportedly "determined" to make sure his influence does not shift into Melbourne during Cup carnival time. According to 3AW and decidertv.com, to make sure people tune into Channel 10, the network has reportedly "included a legal clause in its agreement with Racing.com that prevents McAvaney, and fellow presenter Hamish McLachlan, from hosting the channel’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup." According to the report, the "drastic move" is a way of safeguarding its A$100M ($72M), five-year investment in the race meeting, which lasts four days every year (NEWS.com.au, 11/11).
