By Clyde Mooney
In an historic broadcasting deal for horse racing, the incumbent Sky Racing has been pipped to the post by industry-led outfit, TVN.
The deal announced this month by Harold Mitchell AC, chairman of ThoroughVisioN (TVN), gives the company exclusive rights to horse racing coverage in NSW and Victoria and gives racing authorities in those states control over Australia's premium thoroughbred racing content.
The new arrangement comes into effect on January 1, 2013.
There will be little or no immediate effect on hotel venues, which have traditionally enjoyed a strong relationship with the Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing service.
Speaking to TheShout, TVN CEO Peter Sweeney said: "The relationship between pubs and the racing industry through Sky Channel is an important one for the racing industry."
"Publicans are a vital cog in the wheel of the racing business. Their current relationship through Sky Channel is critical to profiling racing to our customers."
"Through this historic deal the racing industry has simply taken back control of its rights," he said.
TVN was established eight years ago by five racing authorities and is today 50 per cent owned by the Australian Turf Club.
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