ARC have unveiled the European Racing Channel which will broadcast horse and greyhound racing around the globe writes Floyd Amphlett.
The move was inevitable following the decision earlier this year by the 37 horserace courses (RMG) to split with ARC, in their joint company GBI. It will close at the end of the year. RMG’s future overseas broadcasting, like their UK betting shop service, will be handled by SIS.
With no way of broadcasting their own TRP horse racing and the ARC/GMG/Towcester greyhound pictures internationally, ARC bought a controlling interest in Athens based Vermantia who will operate the new service with 15 hours of live content each day day.
Unlike Attheraces, which was created for the domestic television market, the European Racing Channel will primarily broadcast into the various types of betting shops and emporiums which vary from country to country.
In addition to satellite, they will also provide a streamed internet service in countries where satellite coverage is inadequate.
ARC are believed to have new agreements already in place in countries across Europe, Asia and the USA to provide live coverage, though separate ‘greyhound’ and ‘horse racing’ channels are likely to follow to be tailored to the interest and legal restrictions in each country.
There will be no obvious changes for the UK greyhound tracks, at least at this stage. – though the GMG tracks will be expecting any new deals to reduce the shortfall in their previous income following the setting up of the two services in January.
