Program Alert: Actual Horse Racing on Television

[Merlinsky]

No I don't mean TVG or HRTV. Honest to God ESPN. That's right. The Arlington Million and Beverly D are on tv (not the Secretariat even though it too is at Arlington and not the Test or Whitney at Saratoga but I'm not gonna be greedy, just disappointed). These races are 4:30pm on August 8.

A technical question but do things like which races they show come so far in advance that they typically won't adjust for things like the fact that Rachel Alexandra would do something like romp in the Oaks or win the Preakness over MTB, thereby getting fans who would love to see the Haskell? There's that little flexibility? Or do they just not care enough to push a little more coverage through? I imagine they have an idea of the viewership most races bring in, but the Haskell should've gotten on air. I remember when it used to just because it was the Haskell.

[SundayStar]

i don't know but they showed the eddie read the week before last. seemed kind of random as i never saw any promotion for it.

[boswd]

Don't know what happened with ESPN and horse racing, it wasn't that long ago every Saturday and Sunday in the summer they would be at saratoga and del mar. and throw in a Monouth and an Arlington here and there.

Now it's just scraps

[CharlieR]

Soon you will have another option. It's called RTN. Racetrack Television Network. I first heard about this while attending Dish Network's Team Summit back in May. RTN had a booth.

DISH Network® to Carry Racetrack Television Network Subscription Package

ENGLEWOOD , Colo. , May 12 -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) today announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement with Racetrack Television Network (RTN) and HorseRacing TV (HRTV) for the creation of a subscription racing package. The subscription package will be offered to DISH Network® subscribers under the brand name “Racetrack Television Network,” and will consist of up to 80 channels of live thoroughbred, quarterhorse, harness and greyhound racing.

Each racetrack in the package will have its own dedicated channel, allowing viewers to watch the same live, uninterrupted simulcast feed as is shown in commercial wagering establishments. The simulcast feed will include full wagering information, paddock shots, and post parades. Depending upon the time of year and the number of racetracks operating the package will include as many as 700 live races daily. DISH Network subscribers will be able to watch all of the exciting racing action for the everyday low price of $49.99 per month.

In addition to the 80 channel package, DISH Network viewers will have the opportunity to subscribe to a “Best of RTN” package. The “Best of RTN” package will consist of the live simulcast feeds of 12 of the top RTN racetracks running at any given time. The “Best of RTN” package will cost $29.99 per month.

Both the 80 channel and “Best Of RTN” packages are expected to launch in September, 2009

As part of the agreement announced today, HRTV and DISH Network have entered into a long-term extension of HRTV’s carriage arrangement on DISH Network. HRTV and RTN will work cooperatively to market and promote the subscription package.

“With the recent running of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes around the corner, we are all reminded of the popularity of horse racing,” said Michael Kelly, Executive Vice President of DISH Network. “We are pleased to be able to offer DISH Network subscribers the most complete package of racing content available in the marketplace.”

“This new arrangement with DISH Network allows us to greatly improve and expand the existing distribution of the RTN package of racing content,” said Todd Roberts, President of Racetrack Television Network. “Through this new relationship with DISH Network, it will now be easier than ever for racing fans across the country to access the full-card simulcast feeds available on RTN. Furthermore, our relationship with HRTV allows us to market and promote both the RTN package and the sport of racing in general, in ways never before possible.”

RTN is a subscription based television network that offers live, uninterrupted, full card simulcasts from thoroughbred, harness, quarter horse, and greyhound racetracks throughout North America and other parts of the world. RTN currently offers up to 40 channels of service via its private, direct to home satellite network for a monthly subscription fee. RTN is scheduled to launch an internet and mobile version of the service in September, 2009.

[Mike]

This is a good day to reach out to friends and family who like to place a wager, offer to place it for them on your online account(just have your friend give you the equivalent cash). This will help generate interest in horse racing among the general population

[Riot]

Well, the Hambiltonian right now is on NBC.