Australia’s biggest horse racing event may have a new TV home next year, with Victoria Racing Club (VRC) tendering the broadcast rights for the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival and beyond.
The Seven Network has been VRC’s broadcast partner for the Melbourne Cup Carnival since 2002, with their contract remaining in place until the end of March 2019.
A VRC spokesperson told B&T: “The VRC board and management have resolved to conduct a formal market tender process to formalise new media rights agreements for the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival and beyond.
“Details regarding this process will remain commercial in confidence.”
B&T understands the tender is a vast expansion of rights from VRC’s current deal with Seven. It’s also understood that VRC is open to exploring its relationship with Seven continuing into the future.
From 2019, the entire suite of Melbourne Cup Carnival media rights is available, including free-to-air, pay TV, internet, mobile, OTT, and hybrid broadcast TV.
B&T understands that fashion, celebrities and entertainment will be a major focus going forward across all platforms.
The news comes after Emirates recently cut sponsorship ties with the $2 million Emirates Stakes, which is part of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival.
The airline has now reportedly pulled out of sponsoring Australian racing for at least two years, according to The Australian.
