Highly credentialled television industry figure Frank Smith has become the latest recruit to a new-look Tabcorp, joining Sky Racing as executive producer of the network.
Smith spent nearly 20 years at the Ten Network, the past ten as executive producer of sport, overseeing the broadcast of Australia’s leading events including the Melbourne Cup carnival, Formula 1, international rugby and V8 Supercars.
He also spent three years from 2012 until 2015 at Chief Entertainment overseeing the production of Sky’s one-time rival TVN, before that network shut down in April 2015.
Smith’s new role will oversee Sky 1, Sky 2 and Sky Thoroughbred Central networks – including Sky Sports Radio and RADIO TAB.
He becomes the latest media/wagering executive to join Tabcorp in what has been a major refresh since Gillon McLachlan took over as Tabcorp chief executive in August last year.
Among McLachlan’s first major appointments was former Ten executive Jarrod Villani, who was recruited to be Tabcorp’s chief commercial and media officer in January.
Villani said Smith's appointment was another step forward for Sky and Tabcorp.
“Frank’s appointment is a real coup for Sky, he is one of the country’s most respected sports producers, having worked on some of the biggest live sporting events in the country,’’ he said.
“Frank is no stranger to racing, having been a key part of Ten’s Melbourne Cup coverage and an executive producer for thoroughbred broadcaster TVN in the past.
“I’m really looking forward to Frank evolving the on-air look and feel of Sky.”
Smith said he was looking forward to making his mark on Sky, which broadcasts more than 150,000 live thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races annually to more than 60 countries.
“Frank is no stranger to racing, having been a key part of Ten’s Melbourne Cup coverage and an executive producer for thoroughbred broadcaster TVN in the past" - Tabcorp's Jarrod Villani.
It also broadcasts into 3700 retail venues across Australia, into homes via Foxtel and on the TAB and other wagering apps, including Tabcorp’s chief rival Sportsbet.
“Sky is part of the DNA of Australian racing and I’m excited by the challenge of three live networks which broadcast live every hour or every day,” Smith said.
“There’s enormous opportunity to evolve the way we present and I’m looking forward to starting that journey.
“Sky has the perfect blend of emerging and established talent, including some of the biggest names in Australian racing and I’m looking forward to working with the team to bring our viewers even closer to the action.”
