Tabcorp wins back international rights on Victorian racing

Tabcorp has regained control of international media rights distribution for the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry and has also extended its domestic agreement through Sky Racing and third-party digital media arrangements.

The new deal, announced on Thursday, sees Sky Racing confirmed as the exclusive international distribution partner.

It had lost these rights in 2023 when Racing Victoria and its previous media business decided to partner with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS) for international distribution.

The new deal also extends the agreement, which sees Sky broadcast Victorian thoroughbred racing to TAB retail venues and via Foxtel.

It also establishes Sky’s distribution of Victorian thoroughbred racing via the TAB App as well as to Sportsbet, Dabble, TABTouch, Bet365, Betr and BetMakers.

“We’re really pleased to reach a long‑term domestic and international partnership with Racing Victoria. This partnership has the opportunity to take thoroughbred racing in the state to more eyeballs than ever before and that’s good for the growth of the industry,” Tabcorp Chief Commercial and Media Officer Jarrod Villani said.

“We’re delighted with the reacquisition of the international distribution rights. Our international business is continuing to grow and the opportunity to seek new markets to showcase Victoria is something we are very focused on.”

Villani said Tabcorp was also looking forward to Victorian racing playing a major role in the evolution in the look and feel of Sky.

“The way we present racing is changing and so is our content. Victorian thoroughbred racing is an important part of that evolution and we are excited about the innovative ways we can tell the story of racing in Victoria to the world,” he said.

“Racing Victoria has a great product and we look forward to working together to promote and grow it into the future.”

Sky Racing currently broadcasts over 150,000 live races to more than 60 countries annually.

The deal boosts the relationship between Racing Victoria and Tabcorp at a time when the Victorian industry has stepped back from its own media strategy, bringing the Racing.com business back under RV control.

“We’re thrilled to secure this long‑term partnership with Tabcorp that maximises the domestic and international distribution of Victorian racing,” Racing Victoria Chief Executive Aaron Morrison said.

“Victoria is home to the most watched, wagered and attended race meetings in Australia and the most recognised iconic races internationally, and this partnership ensures our racing continues to reach the widest possible audience.”

“Importantly, the agreement secures the prominence of Victorian thoroughbred racing on Sky, both on domestic channels and in global markets, which positions us strongly for future growth. We look forward to growing this partnership into the future.”

Tabcorp signed a new wagering license agreement in Victoria in late 2023, ending the nearly 30-year-long joint venture between the wagering company and the Victorian industry.

That new licence has proven a boost for Tabcorp, which has undergone a significant revival in fortunes since the arrival of Gillon McLachlan as CEO in August 2024.