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TVN horse racing channel to close in March

TVN horse racing logoThe 24-hour horse racing station TVN is due to close by the end of March ending the ongoing saga over racing rights negotiations.

The closure follows a deal between the NSW Racing board and Tabcorp and it’s broadcast partner Sky Racing, although that could not start until  the other partner in TVN, Racing Victoria, agreed to disband the station, which was founded six years ago.

Racing Victoria remains with out a broadcast partner at present.

The station ran into difficulties early on after making purchases financed through debt of Winning Post and Best Bets for $14 million, but the dispute between the racing authorities and Tabcorp dates back to December, stopping the betting giant from showing tier one races in their shops for several weeks.

It is currently unclear what debt remains on the station’s books or the impact on the clubs after it is dissolved.

CEO Bruce Mann stood down form the network earlier this month after ongoing talks had imploded with the departure of Racing NSW from negotiations.

The end of TVN and the state deals mean that apart from big carnivals, Sky will essentially be exclusive horse racing broadcaster in Australia.

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