RTE have agreed to increase their racing coverage recently. They showed the Hattons Grace at Fairyhouse last month for the first time in years and are showing the Thyestes in a few weeks.
The only positive outcome of the RUK deal for the ordinary viewer was HD output although that now is a moot point because Sky Sports are broadcasting the old ATR in HD. On days when there are multiple meetings Irish racing will not be prioritised like it was on ATR. ATR had none of the premier English tracks so it was only natural that they gave Irish racing their full attention. RUK do not have that luxury with the number of tracks they possess and our meetings will be shunted onto their online platform on big days - the last at Tramore on Tuesday was not broadcast live.
The Morgiana at Punchestown will clash with the Open Meeting at Cheltenham. Stephen's Day at Leopardstown and Limerick with Kempton. The Irish Champion Hurdle with the Scilly Isles at Sandown. The Ballysax at Leopardstown frequently clashes with the Aintree National. The Punchestown Festival will often clash with the Whitbred at Sandown and some years with the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Galway will clash with Goodwood etc. Irish punters will lose out on those days.
For the wider industry, this deal is not as significant as it seems at the moment. The money keeping our rural tracks afloat is from the pictures being supplied to betting shops across the UK and at home. However a large percentage of shops are probably facing an uncertain future with the restrictions on FOBTs in the UK and here with the doubling of betting tax from this month. If that income stream dries up, there will be plenty of tracks in trouble.
The only positive outcome of the RUK deal for the ordinary viewer was HD output although that now is a moot point because Sky Sports are broadcasting the old ATR in HD. On days when there are multiple meetings Irish racing will not be prioritised like it was on ATR. ATR had none of the premier English tracks so it was only natural that they gave Irish racing their full attention. RUK do not have that luxury with the number of tracks they possess and our meetings will be shunted onto their online platform on big days - the last at Tramore on Tuesday was not broadcast live.
The Morgiana at Punchestown will clash with the Open Meeting at Cheltenham. Stephen's Day at Leopardstown and Limerick with Kempton. The Irish Champion Hurdle with the Scilly Isles at Sandown. The Ballysax at Leopardstown frequently clashes with the Aintree National. The Punchestown Festival will often clash with the Whitbred at Sandown and some years with the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Galway will clash with Goodwood etc. Irish punters will lose out on those days.
For the wider industry, this deal is not as significant as it seems at the moment. The money keeping our rural tracks afloat is from the pictures being supplied to betting shops across the UK and at home. However a large percentage of shops are probably facing an uncertain future with the restrictions on FOBTs in the UK and here with the doubling of betting tax from this month. If that income stream dries up, there will be plenty of tracks in trouble.