TEMPERS RISE AT LACK OF VISION
COUNTRY racing fans have not seen a televised Victorian race in more than a month and are fed up with the blackout.
City residents with older TVs are also growing increasingly frustrated that they cannot access Channel 78 pictures.
Tabcorp has not shown Victorian racing on Sky Channel in pubs and homes since its contract expired on June 15.
Traralgon resident Peter Mitchell said Racing Victoria deserved a “kick up the backside” for a lack of information and consideration for country people.
Semi-retired Chadstone racing fan David Wyeth called the industry’s decisionmaking “diabolical”.
He said he had not bet on Victorian racing for a month because his 2008 Samsung TV could not pick up Channel 78.
Wyeth, in his 60s, said streaming footage on a laptop was too “stop-start” and delayed by up to 30 seconds.
“It’s frustrating. They need to get the vision back on Sky Channel immediately for the benefit of thousands who like to watch horse racing at home,” he said.
RVL and its new free-toair media partner, the Seven Network, are continuing negotiations to beam vision into rural areas via Foxtel.
RVL executives are also having talks with Sky/TAB.
Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said the situation was not ideal, but indicated it was an interim measure.
“We are extremely concerned ... we appreciate Racing Victoria is working hard to resolve this issue with both Channel 7 and with Sky Racing,’’ he said. “We look forward to a swift resolution on both fronts.’’