While TAB would work with whichever broadcaster the VRC wants, Racenet understands they have a leaning to Channel 7.Īt this stage Channel 9 is favourite to win the free-to-air rights, given the VRC holds the whip hand in the process.īut RV – and large sections of the Victorian industry – want to leave no stone unturned trying for Seven to score Cup Week. The TAB is another key player in the picture and they are helping the VRC negotiate the Cup Week broadcast rights. Going to Channel 9 would also potentially carry the same risk for Melbourne Cup as it had when going to Channel Ten (although Nine has a much higher audience base). There is also a view that people have become used to seeing racing on Channel 7 which is viewed as Australia's home of racing in a commercial broadcast sense. It is understood RV also feels that snaring Channel 7 coverage of Melbourne Cup week (which would include Sydney races) may be one way to potentially thaw the ice in the interstate battle with NSW.

Sources say that RV feels the VRC pulled the wrong rein last time by going with Channel 10, with ratings plummeting and it also opening the door for NSW to get Channel 7 coverage from the likes of Bruce McAvaney on their Big Dance day. However it is believed Racing Victoria is desperate for Channel 7 to win the Cup Week broadcast battle. It is understood Nine has also promised an increased coverage of fashion, celebrities, marquees and VRC social events, which is preferred by the VRC. The VRC's strong preference is for Nine to win Melbourne Cup rights, given that the VRC wants holus-bolus extended coverage of their Cup Day and doesn't want coverage of The Big Dance in Sydney (broadcast by Seven) on the same broadcast. The Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria are at loggerheads over the rival broadcast proposals.

A titanic Melbourne Cup showdown is coming to a head between racing powerbrokers in Victoria who are divided on future broadcast plans for the marquee week.įrom 2024, Melbourne Cup week will be broadcast on either Channel 9 or Channel 7 after the current broadcasters Channel 10 withdrew from the bidding process.

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