No pay, no racing ultimatum from HRI
HRI, at the weekend, issued a money-for-pictures ultimatum to the two broadcasters, which are available on the Sky Digital platform. If the issue is not resolved by December 31, then no Irish racing will be carried live by either company.
The two stations have transmitted Irish racing without charge for the past seven months but that deal is set to expire in two weeks time.
Officials from both parties will meet later today in a bid to resolve the issue, after preliminary talks failed.
Centrally the broadcasters were offering a percentage payment deal, but that was not satisfactory for the horse racing body according to Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh.
“The two firms have both offered us a percentage of betting turnover but it was decided at this morning’s Media Rights Committee meeting that we want an up-front payment or a minimum guaranteed level of income,” he said.
“We will now see what they come up with,” Kavanagh added.
attheraces and the Racing Channel are now reconsidering their original offers and are likely to make fresh approaches within the next number of days.
“We are going to discuss this with TRNI, who provide our American coverage, and we will talk to HRI on Monday, ” Terry Ellis of SIS said.
attheraceces’ communications director Simon Cooper said that he was not surprised by the development, and that his company have considered another option.
“The HRI response was anticipated although it is not the route we wish to go. However, we have offered some money up front on an exclusive
basis.”
