Downfall of TVG continues
 

Looks like it is starting to boil.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/.../1037/SPORTS08

When you said the downfall of TVG I figured they hired Schrupps brother to do some on air.

Bid, that is the first funny thing you have said since you have been here

As far as TVG, glad to see someone cutting them down to size, it is ridiculous what they try and charge other companies to carry their 'exculsive' signal. Their software sucks, they CHARGE you to make a bet (25 cents), and you they are in minimal states. Places like Youbet told them to GFY when they tried charging YB a bizillion dollars to carry places like Meadowlands, Fairgrounds, and many others.

Good for Churchill, they do good things there, except adding Poly to Arlington

His brother Carothers already works there.:D

I like Matt, hes one of the only guys who has a general idea what hes talking about

Tvg/ Direct Tv....
 

Anyone know when the contract with TVG and Direct Tv is up? I don't dislike all of TVG and or their on air talent. But as far as the tracks, I do miss tracks like Oaklawn for example.

and charging thousands of dollars for the right to buy derby tickets. Meeker really laid the foundation for them to keep botching it up

so that's why YouBet doesn't have the FG signal. I know they used to carry the Meadowlands signal, but i guess times have changed and now TVG owns the rights. How is it, FG (a property of Churchill Downs) only allows TVG to carry their signal? Yet, all the other Churchill Downs properties are carried by YouBet?

-bt-

Their is no reason for TVG to carry Churchill. Churchill was wanting to much money from TVG. With the decline in wagering at Churchill from TVG account holders it wouldnt make sense for TVG. Plus, it looks like Indiana will get slots so racing in KY will continue to slide. Churchill basically realizes that its only race is The Derby. They sink everything that have into that race.

TVG doesn't need Churchill? LMFAO!! Schrupp...is that you?

No they dont. Can you come up with a reason why they need Churchill?

The less tracks they offer the more users they'll lose to competitors. Then they'll lose advertisers etc. etc.

From what I have heard, it has something to do with the FG horseman, but I could be wrong. While I would love to wager on FG, I don't fault Youbet at all, gotta draw a line somewhere. Fact is that FG is losing out because Youbet is the leader as far as users and handle, smokes the other three pretty bad

Falling Farther....
 

TVG pulls the plug on CHURCHILL? that is hilarious.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37581

My guess it that Churchill will unify with Youbet as they are already connected somehow (I can't remember how). It is amazing that TVG just keeps on losing track after track, and they go towards lesser tracks (Monmouth, come on) and think they are moving forward.

Newsflash, you are letting the STAPLE of horse racing go, THE WORKS, NO MORE, when BC is there, NO MORE.....You are losing huge days at Calder (which happen more often now) and a couple good wagering days at Arlington.

What am I missing about this picture?

No reason? How about big fields of good horses? Other than Gulfstream and Sar, where will you get the mixture of quality and big fields? So what if they run some open 5K races. Big f-ing deal. Do you think everyone is going to run to Hoo or Indy Downs? Give me a break.

One thing to remember is that because a track isn't exclusive doesn't mean TVG can't/won't show their signal. It just won't get priority, which in AP and Crc's case was happening anyways. There are some tracks which are shown on both TVG and HRTV and the CDI tracks likely will join in. Only negative w/HRTV is that the Magna tracks always get priority and no way will Frankie have Pimlico on tape delay to show a race from CD or AP.

Wow. Never saw anything but people ripping on Matt at the ESPN site.

I agree with you, though. I worked with him for a few years before he went to TVG, and the few times I talked horses with him he impressed me with his knowledge as a handicapper.

I think his actual handicapping skills are somewhat muted by the TVG format, where high profile horses and races are keyed - and the presentation is somewhat akin to an anchorman covering horse racing.

The focus there is on picking a winner, not on putting together a pick3 ticket or a or hitting a superfecta using a moderate investment.

THis is big news!What will be interesting also is when the New York debacle is finally figured out,who will they go with?I think they will be looking for a better deal also

Churchill looks like it's moving in a different direction under the new management. Don't know if throwing its weight around more will help.

It's a huge blow to TVG. Churchill wants to be on TV somewhere -- and really the only other place is HRTV. Unless something new cranks up.

I think they are going to start their own channel.I really do.I think they purchased their own production company or something like that last fall.With this happening now,everything is starting to fall into place for them to get their own channel going,with their own account wagering network.JMO.

I believe it was a research company in No. Cal they hooked up. Maybe something on starting their own ADW comp.
It might be easy to start your own network, its getting the space on the cable and satellites. We are still having problems getting either TVG or HRTV distributed to all systems out there. Add a third and it might make it difficult.
They need more than their core tracks of CD, Ellis, Arl, Calder and FG to show. Old partners Hoosier an Hollywood(if still a racetrack) would be a plus.
Foreign races from Europe would fill early mornings and from Down Under nights.

If anyone can do it,it would be them.They certainly have the cash for it.

Did anyone see the "Bloodhorse Update" on TVG this afternoon? They have Christina O saying that Churchill was essentially just another track... Can't wait for DirecTV to get HRTV...

Clown shoes runnin things at TVG.

You'll have to wait for a long time until Directv to add HRTV to their lineup. The parent company of Directv owns part of TVG.

If they lose Churchill Downs Inc tracks, you can start counting the days till TVG goes off the air for good. It would be a terrible thing for TVG if they go through with their plans to drop CD tracks.

It's more of a bandwidth issue than a competitor issue at the moment. When the two birds go up (one this year, the other in 2008) HRTV will more than likely be added.

I'm down with that, Youbet will probably have something to do with it. Hell, they would be smart to do it that way.

I hope you are correct.

They just had a TVG newsbreak on and I can't believe it. TVG is TAKING ON Churchill Downs.

This is like myself taking on Andre the Giant, in a real fight....

How screwed would TVG be if Churchill BLOCKED their signal on Derby Day, tells them "Um, sorry, your kind is not wanted here" HOW F'n GREAT. "LITTLE GUY WON"T BE PUSHED AROUND, TRYING TO BEAT THE WORLD? -KGB

http://horseracing.sportsline.com/cb...rticleId=16511

Read the next to last paragraph. If that isn't a mistake then TVG is SOL for the derby.

I think you people are giving too much credit to Churchill. Churchill is pissed because TVG sub-leased Churchill's singal to Europe. Churchill didn't get any of the wagering money from Europe. At this time, Churchill was wanting to start their own International Racing. TVG then got involved with At The Races or whatever it is called. Basically it is two companies with too much testosterone.

Now why does TVG need Churchill? TVG will have Keeneland, Belmont, Saratoga, Hollywood, Del Mar, Oak Tree, Arlington (for a small amount of time) Calder though 2008, at the same time that Churchill would be running. To be honest, neither TVG or Churchill need each other.

The contracts for Oak Tree and Hollywood are up soon as well. TVG is on it's way to the ICU.

Churchill doesnt own Oak Tree or Hollywood. Why wouldnt Oak Tree or Hollywood renew their contracts?

TVG is pissing off the sole company that runs THE BIGGEST race of the year and the probably the 5-7th biggest race of the year (Kentucky Derby and Arlington Million). Not good business. And to go on this media blitz saying THEY pulled the plug on them is basically throwing up their kilt with no underwear on. It is almost if TVG Public relations people told them to do this to try and get Churchill to bargain with them. Losing 5 tracks will kill them. Keeneland, Saratoga and Del Mar run 60 day meets, two of them simultaneously. Their track lineup is already severly lacking, especially right now. Aqueduct INNER, please....Tampa Bay first 4 races, please...Dover Downs....come on....Monmouth, maybe their turf races...

First off, Hollywood/Bay Meadows is already on a short leash, they could easily be cheap condos in a matter of 1-2 years. As far as Oak Tree, Stronarch would like nothing more but to televise it and once that contract comes up, he will go after that hard. (And I know he has nothing to do with Oak Tree and it is leased)

I agree that this could be handled in a more mature manner by both parties. But I think TVG is going to move more towards international wagering. TVG and Churchill will resolve whatever issues they have. But I honestly do not think either party cares if it gets settled or not. Bottom line is that you will still be able to bet on Churchill tracks--you just cannot watch them on TVG or wager on them through TVG.

TVG will be sold or out of business by 2010.

I agree with the whole international thing. A Huge mistake IMO. People could care less about Japan racing/Tokyo/Australia/Europe here. It is something to do when you are bored, but nobody is putting $200 to win on a horse in Australia.