TV racing deal nears finish line

RACING Queensland and Sky Racing are close to agreeing to terms on a new broadcast rights agreement, more than a year after negotiations began and two weeks after the original deadline expired.

In a process that has become farcically drawn out, the original extra two-week extension period expired on Tuesday, but with Sky continuing to broadcast from Queensland it is understood only a few minor details in the transaction need to be agreed upon before a new deal is inked.

Racing Queensland has had to appease a number of clubs, in addition to representatives from the harness and greyhound codes after they issued new contracts to be signed only days before the original June 30 deadline.

Some clubs took issue with their portion of the carve-up, while others sought to use the broadcast agreement as an opportunity to negotiate with Racing Queensland on race date allocations.

The Brisbane Racing Club has remained separate to these final negotiations, having struck a deal with Sky in May.

Meanwhile, Sky Racing has announced that incumbent Queensland metropolitan caller Josh Fleming will remain in the same position, while David Fowler will continue to call the same races for Radio TAB.

“We are in the fortunate position of having two outstanding Brisbane race callers in Josh and David Fowler and both continue to call for us across our Sky Racing and radio network,” a Sky spokesman said.