New Zealand’s monopoly totalisator organisation the TAB, which is operated by the New Zealand Racing Board, has announced that it will make its racing channels Trackside and TAB TV solely available through pay-television operator Sky New Zealand from April 14.
The services had previously also been available on the Freeview platform and the Dominion Post newspaper said the move means customers will eventually have to pay a minimum of NZ$18.70 (€11.5/$15.6) a month for a Sky rental package that includes Trackside and free-to-air channels.
TAB executive general manager Glenn Patrick said the organisation plans to revamp its coverage to show about 5,000 more races, as well as magazine-style programming. TAB believes broadcasting through a single television provider will make these changes easier, and Patrick said using Sky would save the “millions” each year it would cost the TAB to offer the service through Freeview.
“At the end of the day, this is not a money grab by the TAB,” he added. “It's about giving customers what they want, which is less duplication and more race content, and making sure it's commercially viable to do so.”
Fifteen leading races, including the Melbourne Cup, will remain available on Freeview and Prime TV, Sky’s national free-to-air channel, but not the entire race meetings.