Customers of TVG will be able to wager on the Churchill Downs spring meet beginning May 1, it was announced in the early evening of April 30. The limited-term deal also includes wagering on the 2009 Arlington Park meet and Calder Race Course meet through Oct. 31.
It is believed the agreement allows for account wagering and video streaming on the TVG Web site, but not rights to broadcast any of the signals on the TVG television network. Wagering will be available through TVG beginning May 1, in time for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) card, and also the May 2 card of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Additionally, it is also believed that TVG gained rights, per the agreement's time period, to several tracks affiliated with Magna Entertainment Corp: Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park, Lone Star Park, Portland Meadows, and Remington Park, although a press release issued by Churchill Downs Inc. did not indicate such.
With the deal, TVG will gain signals it has not had since the formation of TrackNet Media Group in March 2007. TrackNet, which is a content venture of CDI and MEC, has historically been at odds with TVG over a business model of exclusive contracts the horse racing network has held through the years.
TrackNet-affiliated racing signals are televised on HRTV, a competitor to TVG that is jointly-owned by CDI and MEC. A TVG-affiliated entity, ODS Technologies, in March 2007 filed a patent infringement lawsuit that included as defendants HRTV and MEC. HRTV, which was developed by MEC, has been dismissed from the lawsuit. CDI is not a party to the action.
Further details of the new agreement were not disclosed in the news release issued by CDI, including why the deal only runs through Oct. 31. Churchill's fall meet begins Nov. 1, while Arlington's 2009 meet, which begins May 1, runs through Sept. 27. Calder, which began April 24, runs through Jan. 2, 2010.
“We are pleased to announce this agreement with TVG, which will allow even more customers to enjoy the ease and convenience of wagering on our products,” CDI senior vice president Kevin Flanery said in the news release. “We look forward to bringing the excellent racing of Churchill Downs Inc. into their homes courtesy of TVG.”
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