What is wrong with horse racing
 

During the week I like to check out the best pick 4 plays as far as stakes races goes. I found that parx had the big day today. Well, I placed my bet through twinspires. Thinking tvg would be showing the big day at parx, I tune in. Well, I was wrong. I switched over to hrtv and nothing but a scroll at the bottom showing they were off at parx. Then they say, we owe you a race from parx and show it tape delayed. Unreal.

Look, I try to play the races every weekend. If it's tough for me to even watch a big race on tv having both tvg and hrtv, how in the world would anyone who's not a big time horse player yet likes to play the big races be able to find these races?

It's not like football season is a month away. It's here! Anyone high up in the racing industry care?

One issue, IMO, is that tracks compete with each other, rather than work with each other. Stagger starts for example...
But, if someone wishes to bet, they will find a way. You're with twin spires, watch the track on there.

I guess what I'm saying is if it's so off mainstream that it's even difficult for a weekly player to watch the big races of the week, then something is wrong. could you imagine college football or the nfl telling it's fans to watch The games online?

There are more and more people turning to watching online than ever before.
All I can tell you is complain to tvg/hrtv. But they don't control post times, and they're going to set live vs tape delay based on their handle

In a sad sidenote to this topic, America's Best Racing was apparently offered the Comcast broadcast for streaming and declined citing the fees for the charges that accrue from the viewership. Parx produces a quality show each year (Pincay, Brader, etc., brought in to host) and it's remarkable that The Jockey Club wouldn't pony up $25k-40k to stream that action yesterday.

Separately, TVG was listed as the primary outlet for Parx yesterday.

I have access to both TVG and HRTV as well but don't like to listen to all the worthless babble so for the most part I watch the races on Twinspires TV.

When I was with Cap OTB we typically would show 4 signals during day hour and 4 at night, with a bit of overlap, making the 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock hours very busy. We were obligated to show NYRA live, including pre race prattle and post parade. That meant that everything else needed to be squeezed in.

Once NYRA was over, it was a free for all. I used to draw up a weekly list of "key" races which were designated to get priority, meaning that while Parx might be the "4th signal" typically, the Cotillion would get priority over a claimer at Santa Anita. You cannot please everyone. The guy holding a live P4 ticket at SA is more concerned about the claiming race to finish the sequence than about the battle for the 3yo filly Eclipse taking place at Parx.

Racing in general is now in the same boat as the Breeders' Cup. National networks proclaim that very few are interested in watching the broadcast and they proclaim racing to be "dead." However, handle is strong. The fact is that streaming and simulcasts provide the horseplayer (not the "fan, the horseplayer) with a far better experience.

"Worthless Babble" ? Congratulations for picking every horse right when you handicap. I guess it is cool though to bash HRTV and TVG. IMHO you have to respect anyone willing to put out an opinion publically before the race happens regardless of the outcome.

You misunderstood my post. Not talking about the discussions about the races, but rather they too often get off on tangents and conversations that have nothing to do with horse racing.

There will never be a shortage of people willing to put out an opinion publicly . It is cool that the boss puts his opinion out there . He has a very good opinion. Most opinions out there, not so great.

There are enough clients who agree with this take to justify paying 50 bucks a month for RTN package on Dish. Being able to control when you see races, seeing horses live in paddock & warm ups and not being subjected to endless push to fund an ADW for a Pick 4 .

How many people do you think actually sign up for this service? My guess is that it is a losing proposition for Roberts Communication.

$50 is pretty steep..basically double my cable bill. Would pay maybe $5 for the track feeds which are typically crap public access quality

Considering i can get NFL Package, MLB Extra Innings and NBA League pass for around $650 paying $600 For RTN is laughable. Its only priced about 5 times what it is reasonably worth. And that is a stretch since we can watch on our ADW's free.

I only do center ice and red zone...
but I have considered opening a bar with tvs for sports, and getting the horse package....I figure it'd be a draw around here. well, south of here.

Maybe harness, Thoroughbreds and dogs all being offered gets people over the hump.

I agree with other posts on value - should be a $19.99 adder. I just wanted to highlight that there is an alternative to the 2 regular stations if studio hosts and constant solicitation of pick 4's bother you