Churchill, Magna in Joint Ventures That Include TV, Simulcasting
 

This really sucks since HRTV is not available on my cable system. I am not sure how TVG will even exist.

Paul

Doesn't this seem to have the most effect on DirecTV subscribers (because HRTV is not available) and Youbet users (because Magna/CDI could pull their tracks)? I qualify under both of those. I'm thrilled.

NT

No, this is a good thing in the long run. These guys need to be working together to get ONE racing channel. Having the two channels (HRTV and TVG) is a distraction from a fan's perspective, in my opinion. Having all the Magna tracks, Churchill, and eventually Arlington, Fair Grounds all on one channel will be awesome. It looks like the beginning of the end for TVG. If you're unable to get HRTV now, you should be able to relatively soon I would think.

Having two channels and multiple betting platforms is a bear on the industry. Needs to be consolidated and this is a step in the right direction. I know I will have very little use for TVG in the future if this goes the way the are planning it.

I'm glad Churchill didn't go off and decide to start their own channel, I'm glad they were able to reach a deal.

AND, I can't imagine Magna agreeing to pull its tracks off of HRTV... that's their own channel, why would they do that???

Me too. Not good.

unless of course you're someone who likes the staff on TVG better than those on HRTV...

We're miles away from having one or even two betting platforms. The whole wrench in this deal is NYRA and what happens to it. Does the new franchise join up with Magna and CDI? or TVG, which should be a dying network by then?

The problem I was alluding to was that I have DirecTV which I understand will never carry HRTV and I don't know why. So as long as tracks are moving from TVG to HRTV I'm annoyed.

What kind of coverage do you guys think Arlington and Calder are going to get on TVG all summer before their contract expires with CDI. On Saturdays you're gonna see, "We'll catch you up on the Hanshin at Arlington right after we show you the fifth at Yavapai, a 350 yard a-other than mule race for 3YO."

NT

I assume some things will change with the new setup, including personalities to some degree.

I don't particularly care for most of the on-air personalities on either one...it'd be great if they could take the best from both and get them on the new channel when contracts come up for negotiation.

Honestly, if HRTV could get Frank Lyons, Simon Bray, Carothers, Katulak (butchered spelling) to come over and join Lafit, Seigel, Jon White and company...that would be great.

Notice I did not say Scrupp, Rudolph, bug boy or Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos) look-alike.

One can only hope. My line-up would be pretty similiar except I'd drop Seigel and probably add Gary Stevens. I think Christina Oliveras is probably the best of the 'paddock interviewers' along with Caroline from HRTV.

Seigel is pretty smug. Don't they have performance reviews??? If I acted like that at work, I'm sure someone would let me know about it. :)

The death of TVG
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37850

its very sad now

It's a bandwidth issue with Directv. Once the new sats are up they can add as many channels as they like.

Expect to see the twinspires channel on Directv in '08.

This is why there is a MUTE button on your remote.

Add me to the group that's worried that Youbet might lose the signals.

The way I read it, Twin Spires is the betting platform... CD bought half of HRTV, so the channel would still be HRTV.

Well yeah but it's all the same...especially when Magna goes bankrupt and Churchill buys them out.

Magna has lost $407 million in 5 years. $87.5 mil in '06.

TVG Response
 

Has anyone seen the TVG response yet? I'm sure they'll continue with the position that Harness racing and Los Al can save the network...

Whoever is running things at that network deserves to be homeless. To risk losing CDI tracks just so you can profit off of international racing is utterly retarded. It makes me wonder if anyone at the network can do simple math.

Part 1: maybe slots will save them :)
Part 2: in progress (after all, CDI did just buy 50% of HRTV).

I believe the parent company of Direct TV owns TVG so I wouldn't think Direct TV would ever carry HRTV under the present ownership issues.

With that line of thinking expect HBO and Showtime to be taken off Directv when their contracts expire since Liberty owns Starz.

A few things jump out at me.
The thing that I didn't like about HRTV was the fact that it used to look like they were broadcasting a cable access show from someone's basement. Plus, the budget was so small that on weekdays/nights they would just play porno music between races instead of have any interviews/analysis. Hopefully they'll upgrade their staff and production crew to make it more watchable.
Has anyone seen the 5 on 5 show they have, giving analysis on the Magna 5?
Nice idea, but it's pretty unorganized and not that useful.
Plus, you would think the hosts would each create a Magna 5 ticket to explain their thinking, but they don't.

Also, If there's one network that owns the signal to every major track, there's only so many races they can show at once. They won't have the ability to show races from some of the 2nd and 3rd tier tracks on a Saturday, which could hurt handles at those tracks.

PP,

TVG may not have really factored into the deteriorating scenario as CDI seems to have been moving in their own direction for a while.. There have been rumors of a CDI betting platform/broadcast enterprise/project for at least the last 2 years.

Yeah, hopefully with this new venture they can buy some better focus cameras and a cameraman with a steady hand.

Hahaha, that is so true.

Just got an e-mail from The Twin Spires Club announcing its new wagering service... probably wait until I get home to check out.

I think the thing that you should be scared about as players is that because Magna and CDI have full control of so many major track signals, I expect them to jack up the rates to simulcast their signals which may lead to a fragmented industry where the smaller tracks/betting platforms(youbet/winticket,etc) just wont cover the Magna/CDI tracks or they will pass along the increase in price to you, the betters. The fact that a basic premise of Empire's NYRA proposal was to increase the takeout despite the $ windfall of the slots parlor is a bad sign. If you don't think that Magna/CDI wasn't signed on to that plan, think again. I constantly read about needs of growth from CDI and it always amazes me that their ideas always include either new technology or emerging markets rather than improving conditions of their existing customers. I don't care what you read, the far east will not ever bet any signifigant amounts of money into our pools because the time difference is too great, the lack of information on our races and the belief that our races lack the integrity that theirs do. As far as Europe, there may be room for some growth but why not try to grow handle from your existing customer instead of chasing foreign ones. I have learned that whenever the word 'paradigm' is used it is usually bad news for us.

Good points all around. :)

well my two cents is i believe tvg is in trouble. unless they do more quarterhorse. the other thing is it will probably get rid of the off shore bet accounts and rebates.

Yeah but CDI didn't really go their own way considering they bought half of HRTV and are sharing their signals with Magna and vice versa. I'm not a lawyer but it seems TVG could've struck a similar deal with CDI and shared, at least, their exclusives with twinspires.com.

I'm just really questioning the lack of vision the powers that be at TVG have. Without Magna and CDI tracks they've got very little to offer and potentially won't have the money to outbid their competitor when TVG's contracts with other tracks end.

shrupp with dark glasses and a tin cup..=priceless!!!!

I'm starting to think pointgiven1985 is shrupp. :D

TVG is SCREWED. www.twinspires.com will get my action based on the fact that I am guessing their reward program will be like Arlington's, and I will be able to wager using them while ON TRACK at Arlington.

I actually don't think Youbet is in trouble at all because they are a 3rd party in all of this. They have a half way decent relationship with Magna already and CDI. They are actually the OFFICIAL wagering platform of the Kentucky Derby.

That being said, odds on TVG talent showing up on HRTV??

Well since TVG is already available to over 20 million households (could be people, not gonna bother to double check) i'd say chances are CDI/Magna will buy TVG.

I hope so.

Don't think the FCC or whatever the committee is would allow that crap....

I am a huge fan of this move, even if I can't get HRTV yet.....

I would rather have the porno music than all that crap of so called analysis by complete morons like they do on TVG.At least on HRTV,they talk about interesting things before races,and not all that childish bullshit that TVG does.The ego's on that channel have gone unchecked for too long,and now they are going to be unemployed. GOOD!! All TVG ever promotes is"Play the Pick 4" and that's it and I get so tired of those idiots and their loser tickets.I don't care what they are playing,and if you are anywhere close to a decent horseplayer,you make your own picks,not use some "Tout's"picks.All those "Children" on TVG do is try to entice you to make a bet on their service,period.I would hope Frank Lyon's would get hired at HRTV,but the rest of them and their kiddie ways can stay.

It just depends on how much money CDI/Magna are willing to give the politicians.