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).