Straight Up – Racing’s differing media strategies
In this edition:
- Racing Victoria shakes up media and broadcast with key executives to depart
- ‘It would take a lot to cancel the EGM’ – ATC presses on with Rosehill vote despite board changes
- Rowe On Monday – Krishnan’s legacy to live on, an Inglis Digital bargain and Darby Racing’s WA adventure
- Run The Numbers – The beauty of back-to-back
- On-course wagering no longer a window of opportunity for Tabcorp
- Caught U Looking catches Zhang’s attention at Tattersalls Mares Sale
It is 10 years this month since Australia’s two biggest racing states went their separate ways on their media and broadcast strategy as their joint media company TVN imploded spectacularly.
Victoria pursued its own set-up, via Racing.com, which had launched as a digital platform a few months earlier. New South Wales opted for an increased deal with the Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing, while opting to focus on its existing strong relationship with traditional media companies.
The media strategies of both states have evolved significantly since, including landmark free-to-air racing agreements, but since the ‘TVN divorce’ on Boxing Day 2014, they have been on very different paths.
The Racing Victoria ‘owned’ media strategy, with Racing.com at its heart, was devised to give the industry a stronger relationship and engagement with its audience. It is a high-cost, but high-reward approach.
A decade in, and the strategy employed by the Victorian racing industry media business seems to have changed more often than its name. It hasn’t always been made clear whether the reward is outweighing the cost, and in a time of financial constraints, that has become an issue.
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison had already flagged RDCM, as it is now known, was under the microscope and this week confirmed that two key executives, CEO Peter Campbell, and RSN CEO Bernard Saundry would be leaving as part of restructure.
That is the first step of a major change of how the media business works, and further changes will be announced in 2025.
It is expected to be a big week when it comes to the Rosehill issue, with the Select Committee parliamentary report due to be released on Friday.
As we reported last week, there has been a change on the ATC Board with candidates opposed to the sale of Rosehill filling the top three positions. But chairman Peter McGauran has told members that the Club is determined to take the issue to a vote on April 3.
‘It would take a lot to cancel the EGM’
ATC presses on with Rosehill vote despite board changes
What is the future of on-course betting in Australia? We have covered the decline in the traditional bookmaking markets extensively, but it now appears the days of the ubiquitous on-course totalisator may be numbered. Warwick Barr reports.
This week’s Rowe On Monday looks at the legacy of the late Ananda Krishnan and the possible impacts of his passing on his thoroughbred investments in Australia, while highlighting how a digital sale buy is proving a bonanza for Toby Edmonds and Darby Racing looking to parlay Overpass’s Perth success into an increased presence in WA.
Rowe On Monday
Krishnan’s legacy to live on, an Inglis Digital bargain and Darby Racing’s WA adventure
Speaking of Overpass, his win in the Winterbottom Stakes has prompted this week’s Run The Numbers to look at horses who have won Group 1 races on more than one occasion.
Meanwhile, Yulong’s spending spree has continued as Australian buyers made a mark on the Tattersalls Mares Sale in Newmarket.
Also in the news:
- Godolphin’s Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile to return to the racetrack
- Victorian gambling regulator Annette Kimmitt to step down
- Bjorn again – Overpass continues his Ascot love affair
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Regards
Bren O’Brien
Managing Editor and Founder
The Straight
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