Towcester owner Garry Philips comments on the recent article concerning SIS’s enforcement of its copyright on racing footage

I have read with interest the article from a fellow owner who raised some valid concerns who has expressed with consternation that he/we are no longer able to view past races that our Hounds have competed in. He also talked about the direction the sport is taking and the obvious merits of promotion and in regard to SIS and their service they provide.

The issues raised are of prime importance to the sport with very straightforward questions on the face of it for SIS to provide.

These concerns are real and it is very confusing as why would SIS not want to allow past races to be readily available to view?

Then came a statement from SIS (at least they did respond) which raised more questions than answers to my mind that makes very little sense. They say that SIS invest a lot of money in acquiring the media rights with all the associated costs delivering their service which is perfectly true, but surely this service is for the future, the here and now not the past.
The tracks have trainers attached to them who (tracks) then under contract sell their product to SIS who then sell this product on to the bookmakers, “everyone’s a winner” so what good is the past to their clients the betting industry.
SIS are saying the retrospective viewing of races devalues their product and has a detrimental effect on the tracks why, the races are finished gone?
The tracks depend on positive promotion of the sport through various means mainly by interest generated by live viewing as any other viewing gives a negative effect on the tracks in the long term so why is this disaffection mainly to the suppliers of the greyhounds the owners, trainers and interested viewers slowly but surely taking place.

I would say that the bookmakers and SIS care less about the kennels, owners and viewing public who strive for quality racing as this type of racing is of little use to them, they in my opinion are happy with low grade races as the outcome is even less predictable than quality ones. By not allowing past viewing of races stops the studying of form for the professional and good gamblers so is this a factor in helping protect their paymasters.

By SIS protecting their own media rights as they say anybody would do against unauthorised use and viewing are SIS encouraging outrage by disaffected viewers so they could offer a service at a cost to all.

Don’t forget that today’s stars are going to be our yesterday’s greats that includes our A10 star winning their one and only race. Just think that we are unable to see these past races and watch them again, how on earth is this good for the sport. How is this good in the long term for the tracks when no one is interested in watching the sport apart from within the betting shops that if one is to believe are about to close and put up the boards.

Are SIS just taking a narrow minded protectionist view without in my opinion knowing what they are really protecting the past without surely any commercial value (tongue in check) history, or are they on manoeuvres with other goals in sight.

SIS please rethink this stance as you are doing long term damage to the sport by continuing with this as it is in everybody’s interest to promote the sport in anyway we can.

Garry Phillips

 

Following the SIS media rights – three bookmakers should hold their heads in shame.
Ladbrokes, Corals & Betfred no longer allow cash punters in their betting shops to take early prices on RPGTV races – unless you bet on-line.
The hypocrisy of these three bookies knows no bounds!
These three continually preach to punters to “Bet Responsibly” – what better way is there than to bet within your means than to get cash out of your wallet. It is a disgrace!  Shame on them!

Brian Kempton