By Ian Neubauer
Sky Channel told Australian Hotelier magazine of its plans to launch this month a new tipping service for racing and a dedicated boxing channel.
“There are a variety of new products offered to licensed venue wagering outlets to complement Sky Channel and the venues’ wagering offer in 2008,” said Sky Channel general manager – media, Brendan Parnell. “The Oracle is a new and innovative electronic tipping service for greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing, as well as sport. Venues will also see the new Fight Club, which highlights our dedication to boxing.”
Parnell said the new products are part of a new pricing structure Sky Channel is introducing for commercial subscribers that went into effect on February 1.
“Our new National Price Card is a simpler, two-tier formula based on a fixed fee determined by a geographic descriptor — country, provincial and metropolitan — and a variable fee determined as a percentage of TAB wagering turnover at each venue,” he said. “It is a more transparent way of pricing. It is important to note this is not delivering a straight price rise, but a price restructure. Some licensed venues will have their subscription fees increased, while others may have their fees reduced. Higher costs for Sky Channel, such as increased rights fees for Sydney and Victorian thoroughbred race clubs, are a factor in the price restructure.”
A complete transcript of Parnell’s comments — along with those of 37 other industry figureheads — will appear in the Industry Leader’s Forum issue of Australian Hotelier. National distribution is scheduled for the second week of February.
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