Racing plunged into chaos as Sky Sports and Racing TV threaten to pull ALL coverage from Ireland

RACING has been plunged into chaos after Sky Sports and Racing TV threatened to pull ALL coverage from Ireland.

Sun Racing told you yesterday how Attheraces boss Matthew Imi said Sky’s coverage in the country could soon end up ‘economically unviable’.

GettyPunters could be deprived of Sky and Racing TV coverage in Ireland if a new bill is passed[/caption]

And now Racing TV supremo Martin Stevenson has expressed grave concerns over the subscription channel’s future.

Huge concerns centre around a proposed new Gambling Regulation Bill.

The bill has provision for a blanket ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio and online between 5.30am and 9pm daily.

The aim is to protect vulnerable people and children from gambling-associated harm.

But Sky Sports Racing say 97 per cent of its viewership is over 24 and the channel is ‘aimed at adults and not at children or young people’.

Still, Imi said he harbours ‘extreme concern’ over the potential chaos the new bill could cause.

And he said that without concessions for specialist racing channels to be given exemptions, then the channel could be no more.

The Irish Independent quote Imi as saying: “Uniquely, as compared to other sports, horseracing and betting go hand in hand.

“A significant amount of advertising on our specialist horseracing channel and, indeed, on competitor racing channels, is betting-related.

“If this proposed watershed ban on gambling advertising goes ahead as drafted, it could have a devastating impact on such dedicated horseracing channels.

“It’s our view that such a ban may render Sky Sports Racing economically unviable in Ireland if the option for bookmaker advertising and sponsorship support is no longer open to us.”

Stevenson, CEO of Racecourse Media Group who owns Racing TV, told the Racing Post: “There would be substantial economic and operational challenges in ceasing to carry gambling advertising, sponsorships, and branding on Racing TV.

“It is likely to mean that it ceases to be viable to continue broadcasting in Ireland.

“It would be a huge shame to potentially deny Irish breeders, owners, trainers, and jockeys as well as the huge number of Irish racing fans and enthusiasts the ability to watch the major racing festivals and day-to-day coverage of horseracing from Ireland and Great Britain.”

Racing TV, which costs £24.98 in the Uk and €31 in Ireland, only just secured rights to show action from all 26 Irish racecourses until 2029.

The new bill passed the committee stage on Tuesday and will next go into a report stage, where any proposed changes will be considered.

It then has to go through two further stages before potentially being enacted into law by the president.

Ruby Walsh, Jane Mangan and Nick Luck are among the big-name presenters on Racing TV.

Sky used to show the Irish action with Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman a popular part of the coverage among crowds.

Leonna Mayor, Alex Hammond and Jason Weaver are some of the big names part of Sky’s TV offering.

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