Why no free racing channel
 

Why doesn't the industry support a free horse racing channel? Most other industries have places where their fans can find their niche. Poker/soccer/stocks/cooking, etc., all have their spots on the remote, why not us? I mean 'Jockeys' helps us out, but there's no where else to follow up. I'm hooked 'cause I love the sport and like to gamble, but look at how PokerTv has taken off! I'm sure it's all about advertising and dollars, but we need help...couldn't this help?

None of the other channels you are referring to are "free". The only thing free, are channels you can pull in with your rabbit ears.

Because it would make sense and help the industry.

WHat are you talking about? You never heard of TVG and HRTV?????

And how is Jockeys an informative program about the sport? I am not really sure what demographic that show is targeting.

just curious but who is the industry? the tracks, the horseman, the bettors, ntra, tvg, hrtv, owners, Gm's, announcers??

who exactly is the industry? and how do you just start a free channel?? especially when you dont have any money?

I have to pay for TVG and HRTV as part of the Comcast sports package.

but to the original posters point, you have to pay for any cable channel that isn't a basic network (abc, nbc,cbs) so fox sports soccer, or the bowling channel or even the nfl network, mlb or whatever, all are pay channels, none are free

Well that sucks for you. I have Dish Network and at the most basic subscription, I get both HRTV and TVG. I do not have to pay for thier sports package.

Not everybody carries TVG, etc. Some cable companies in the Bible Belt are convinced that they're doing us a favor and protecting our souls from the horrible horrible gambling. Then they go and show Poker After Dark on NBC but whatever...

I agree that there should and could be a way to get a viable niche channel and marketing plan and I'm fairly sure it'll remain a dream to me. In my case, I can't even get tvg.com and at this time can't have a satellite dish so I'm stuck with network and ESPN, ugh. Frankly Steve's show is a saving grace there because I have hours of horse racing information and interviews to get me through the ever diminishing coverage. If it's not free online (e.g. Calracing), put on Youtube later, or covered by At the Races or Bloodhorse, it's slim pickin's lemme tell ya.

Why can't you get tvg.com? You mean the replays on it?

Youbet.net will give you a limited amount of time to view live races at tracks they cover for free. If you only watch the races from 0 min. to post you can see quite a bit. I'm not sure exactly how much time you get but it seems like 40 min + or -.

You have to be allowed to gamble from what I can tell. My state's one of those that thinks they're saving us from certain ruin. I can't register for TVG and it seems that that's why. I think the same thing might apply for Youbet.net and others. Does this free Youbet viewing require you to sign up for an account? I bet they can tell where the IP address is coming from and certain states are locked out. I'm not a tech expert, I just figure that's how they do it.

I don't see why you couldn't sign up for HRTV.com? It's only $49.99 for 12 months.

Hmm. It looks like you can at least get it online, I couldn't get my cable provider to carry it at any rate. They acted like I was nuts for suggesting it when I called them awhile back. Unless the site takes it in installments, I can't exactly spare $50 right now in one fell swoop, though. Stupid Time Warner upping the rates and all, I'm doing without HBO and Showtime. That's one benefit of spending the holidays with the family, I get to see that at least. (oops, should add there are other benefits to spending time with family besides using them for their premium cable channels :D ).

It's probably just as well there isn't a horse racing channel airing 24/7. It's physically impossible to watch all that and sleep, do work, etc. I'd never get anything done.