Racing Post launch Greyhound racing channel

December 8, 2011   ·   2 Comments

Mainstream greyhound racing is to be showcased on free-to-air television with the launch of Racing Post Greyhound TV on Friday 9 December. The channel, RPGTV will be shown via Information TV on Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402.

RPGTV will bring together six of the main greyhound tracks shown daily on SIS’ betting shop channels. The tracks – supplied by William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral – are Newcastle, Sunderland, Monmore, Crayford, Romford and Hove. Live evening racing will be shown from Hove and Monmore on Thursdays, Romford and Sunderland on Fridays and Crayford and Newcastle every Saturday from 7.15pm to 10.45pm. The programme will be free to view and will also have a webcast presence on racingpost.com and on founders’ websites.

The new show is funded by Betfair, Bet365 and the three track operators, Hills, Ladbrokes and Coral. SIS will supply the infrastructure, including picture uplink together with all race-day information, with production supplied by Front Runner TV from Encompass Digital Media’s London Studio.

Kevan Moretti, Executive Producer, Racing Post Greyhound TV, said: “This is a substantial step further forward for the greyhound industry.

“We are delighted to partner with SIS, who has worked with us all the way to find the best technical solution for the distribution of pictures from the tracks.

“We anticipate growing interest in the syndication of the programme for other channels and on the internet and shall be working closely with SIS to promote the programme both domestically and overseas.”

Phil Siers, Managing Director, SIS LBO division, said: “I am delighted SIS is partnering with Racing Post Greyhound TV. SIS will transmit the programme feed, via its new fibre-optic network and will be responsible for exclusive syndication of the content to the market. In addition, a full SIS data feed will be available to support betting.

“For some time we have been looking to extend our services in the e-gaming space. Greyhounds is proven betting content, generating high levels of turnover and this is another product we add to our ever increasing portfolio for the e-gaming market. We look forward to a successful and fruitful partnership with Racing Post Greyhound TV.”

Lord Lipsey, the former chairman of the former BGRB and a keen supporter of greyhounds and greyhound told the Racing Post : “This is a great breakthrough. I understand some tracks will be concerned it hits attendance but it will boost the yield of the voluntary levy the bookmakers pay on greyhound racing.

“These days, if you’re not on TV you have no way of attracting a wider audience – and, importantly, getting a new younger public interested in your sport. For those, like me, who spend their weekends away from the nearest track this will bring us back to the greyhound racing we love.”

Tags: Coral, Greyhound TV, Kevan Moretti, Ladbrokes, Lord Lipsey, Racing Post, RPGTV, William Hill