Forest Lake Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 * Lara Sinclair * March 12, 2007 HORSERACING media rights management group ThoroughVision (TVN) is expected to unveil a significant deal with pay-TV company Foxtel tomorrow aimed at broadening the audience for its Sydney and Victorian racing coverage. The deal is expected to include opening up access to the TVN Channel on pay-TV by making it part of the basic Foxtel package of channels, according to a racing industry source. The channel is currently only available to Foxtel and Austar subscribers willing to pay for a separate $12 annual subscription. The new arrangement may include new ownership, sponsorship and interactive television elements after reports last year the group, which owns the rights to Sydney and Victorian horseraces, was close to forming an alliance with Foxtel to develop new media rights. Under the direction of chairman Harold Mitchell, TVN reportedly rejected a $25 million offer from James Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd (which has a 50 per cent stake in online betting provider Betfair Australia), to buy a 25 per cent stake in the group. Instead, TVN signed a $194 million distribution deal with Victorian wagering agency Tabcorp last May, restoring coverage of TVN's races to Tabcorp's Sky Channel in commercial venues and ending an acrimonious year-long feud between the parties. That deal reportedly left open to TVN the option of entering a strategic alliance with Publishing & Broadcasting or Foxtel, as well as the possibility of selling up to 25 per cent of the group. Under the new deal, it is believed TVN's thoroughbred racing coverage will also be made available to subscribers on the Optus platform. "TVN's going to become a free channel on Foxtel," a racing source said. "It's going to be available on the whole platform at no cost. Currently it's not available on Optus. I think it's going to go across platforms." TVN has sought to capitalise on the increased value of live sports events and new media broadcast rights to media companies by signing a number of lucrative contracts that expand the distribution of its racing coverage. Telstra's internet division BigPond offers live coverage of TVN's races online, but the development of other new media rights with third parties, including live mobile racing coverage and interactive television coverage, is expected to be a focus in the future. Currently, TVN runs its own mobile website offering race footage, photo finish images and mobile news alerts. "In the next 18 months TVN is expected to expand its mobile TV presence," a media industry source said. Mr Mitchell refused to comment on the deal, as did Foxtel, which is 50 per cent owned by Telstra and 25 per cent owned by Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd and News Limited (owner of The Australian). Last month, TVN signed a deal with the Nine Network, worth a reported $2 million, to cover 13 race meetings not already broadcast on free-to-air TV, including the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup.
robertr Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 I have subscribed to TVN for the past 2 years it does need a cash injection ,too many analogue links in the delivery to the STB at home.
chatham Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 well obviously not for AUSTAR subscribers... Thank you for contacting us via our website regarding TVN. At this point in time, AUSTAR has no plans to provide the TVN channel free of charge to our customers. TVN will still cost $1 per month until further notice. Thank you and enjoy your AUSTAR. Regards, xxxxxx ask@austar.com.au
robertr Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 well obviously not for AUSTAR subscribers... A small price to pay $1.00 PM, that would not stop me from subscribing if I was with Austar I paid $12.00 2 years ago with Foxtel Digital oddly they have not charged for the past year.
chatham Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 LOL, not concerned about the cost, but interesting to read here that TVN is now part of the base Foxtel package.
chalkeroochy Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 TVN is part of the Basic Package only... if you were subscribed to the Basic Package before 1st May 2006 & have not downgraded or upgraded your package after that date. If you have changed your package after 1st May 2006 or are a new subscriber ... it will only be available on Foxtel's My Sport at $15.95 a month extra ($14.95 a month more than TVN was charging). But don't worry, I rang TVN this morning to make sure of the facts & was told that there are only about 2,400 customers affected...2400x $15.95= only$38,280 extra to Foxtel ... there must more money involved than this ... Austar & Optus customers ?
micktoo Posted March 21, 2007 Posted March 21, 2007 (edited) 2 distinct issues here - 1st TVN taking 12 month subscriptions from subscribers and then entering into a new arrangement with Foxtel, voiding any existing subscriptions (I still have 7 months to run). TVN also giving impression in correspondence, on air and in media releases that this is good news for subscribers?? and also implying service is free!! 2nd Foxtel forcing subscribers to pay $15.95 per month to watch TVN, only offering TVN as part of a package whether you want the package or not. Surely, Foxtel should firstly offer currently paid up TVN subscribers to continue to see TVN until their 12 month subscription runs out. After this date existing TVN subscribers should be offered 2 options - 1 option being TVN only @ say $2 to $4 per month ($24 - $48 per annum), and 2nd option being the My Sports package (total sports package @ $15.95 per month, $191.40 per annum). TVN was charging $1 per month, $12 per year. It should be remembered that Foxtel and TVN'S new arrangement is just another arrangement, not a totally new one. After all Foxtel were already televising TVN! Foxtel should have more regard for their customers, they should treat them like "gold". Can you imagine your electricity supplier selling your business to another supplier and the new supplier informing you that your electricity will be cut off in 1 month unless you agreed to pay their increased monthly charge which was 1595% more than the previous supplier!! I suggest anyone affected by this TVN/FOXTEL rort to complain in writing and over the phone to both TVN and to Foxtel. Looking forward to hear what other's think, and on your progress in the complaint department. Edited March 21, 2007 by micktoo
CCF Posted March 21, 2007 Posted March 21, 2007 2 distinct issues here - 1st TVN taking 12 month subscriptions from subscribers and then entering into a new arrangement with Foxtel, voiding any existing subscriptions (I still have 7 months to run). TVN also giving impression in correspondence, on air and in media releases that this is good news for subscribers?? and also implying service is free!! 2nd Foxtel forcing subscribers to pay $15.95 per month to watch TVN, only offering TVN as part of a package whether you want the package or not. Surely, Foxtel should firstly offer currently paid up TVN subscribers to continue to see TVN until their 12 month subscription runs out. After this date existing TVN subscribers should be offered 2 options - 1 option being TVN only @ say $2 to $4 per month ($24 - $48 per annum), and 2nd option being the My Sports package (total sports package @ $15.95 per month, $191.40 per annum). TVN was charging $1 per month, $12 per year. It should be remembered that Foxtel and TVN'S new arrangement is just another arrangement, not a totally new one. After all Foxtel were already televising TVN! Foxtel should have more regard for their customers, they should treat them like "gold". Can you imagine your electricity supplier selling your business to another supplier and the new supplier informing you that your electricity will be cut off in 1 month unless you agreed to pay their increased monthly charge which was 1595% more than the previous supplier!! I suggest anyone affected by this TVN/FOXTEL rort to complain in writing and over the phone to both TVN and to Foxtel. Looking forward to hear what other's think, and on your progress in the complaint department. When Foxtel first lost the rights to the Sydney and Melbourne races from Sky, it had nothing to do with Foxtel other then these racing bodies wanting Sky to bill Foxtel customers an extra $1, which they couldn't due to an already active agreement.. so TVN was born. Foxtel has never had anything to do with TVN other then trying to keep the racing community happy. The $12 a year was never going to Foxtel, that's why you needed to call TVN directly and organise your subscription. As a Foxtel employee, I apologise for what's happened but I'm 100% possitive, Foxtel never attempted to screw you out of your $12. How TVN became apart of the My Sports pack, I don't know... maybe they were bought out by FoxSports, who knows. All I know is that if Foxtel was going to screw you out, they'd have planned it alot better :ph34r:
stahc Posted March 21, 2007 Posted March 21, 2007 myself i dont give a rats about the race channels..............something thats never interested me.........however my parents just lobbed down from brisbane to discover they have paid a subscription for something that is now free.........not happy
micktoo Posted March 21, 2007 Posted March 21, 2007 When Foxtel first lost the rights to the Sydney and Melbourne races from Sky, it had nothing to do with Foxtel other then these racing bodies wanting Sky to bill Foxtel customers an extra $1, which they couldn't due to an already active agreement.. so TVN was born.Foxtel has never had anything to do with TVN other then trying to keep the racing community happy. The $12 a year was never going to Foxtel, that's why you needed to call TVN directly and organise your subscription. As a Foxtel employee, I apologise for what's happened but I'm 100% possitive, Foxtel never attempted to screw you out of your $12. How TVN became apart of the My Sports pack, I don't know... maybe they were bought out by FoxSports, who knows. All I know is that if Foxtel was going to screw you out, they'd have planned it alot better :ph34r: I am not happy with Foxtel employees trying to deflect the issue away from Foxtel. Foxtel are responsible for the bundling of their products. I believe Foxtel should still continue to offer TVN to subscribers until their 12 month subscription lapses and then offer a stand alone option for existing TVN subscribers (a reasonable monthly charge $2-$4 per month) and the combined My Sports package @ $15.95 per month. The comment re: Foxtel never attempted to screw you out of $12...(referring to $12 yearly fee to TVN) is correct, in that Foxtel got greedy and saw the opportunity to force subscribers to take up a total sports package @ $15.95. Foxtel employees could take the complaints feedback seriously and take alternate options to their management so that workable options can be provided to loyal customers. The comments regarding the origins of TVN are not entirely correct. TVN came about because Sydney and Melbourne Race Clubs were sick of SKY Channel charging them larger and larger fees to show vision which they believed they owned. TVN also came about so that Thoroughbred racing had its own showcase without competing for space with Greyhound racing and Trotting. TVN are not without blame over this rort, as they are airing comments that the new Foxtel agreement is good for subscribers, and inferring that the service is free. Start sending your complaints by email and phone to both Foxtel and TVN.
chalkeroochy Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 This might sound drastic , but I'm seriously thinking of giving up my petty punting & also punt Foxtel at the same time ! That SelecTV looks pretty good value. And yes I'm ANGRY!!
micktoo Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 This might sound drastic , but I'm seriously thinking of giving up my petty punting & also punt Foxtel at the same time !And yes I'm ANGRY!! CHALKEROOCHY and all others who are angry ......... CHANNEL THE ANGER!!!! Email and phone TVN. Email address is: tvn@tvn.com.au Email and phone Foxtel. Please leave a post on this thread when you have done so.
Recommended Posts