Telstra signs deal with Racing Victoria

Wednesday 27th of May 2015

Telstra has signed a 10-year deal with Racing Victoria that involves broadcast, data and media capabilities as well as integrity services.

In return, Racing Victoria will broadcast multiple feeds from 24 racetracks across Victoria on Telstra’s new Digital Video network 2 and will also license products from Telstra-owned firms including Ooyala, which provides video analytics, and Chief Entertainment, which offers production services.

The installation at the 24 racetracks, which host 80 per cent of TAB meetings in Victoria, is expected to be completed by early 2014.

The increased connectivity also extends the real-time capabilities of Racing Victoria’s Integrity Control Room, providing greater remote support for stewards via live video conferencing, as well as photo finish feeds and other technology, such as Hawkeye.

Telstra’s chief customer officer, Global Enterprise and Services, Martijn Blanken, said,

“This partnership with Racing Victoria is a fantastic example of the capabilities our portfolio presents. This new model is one of the first of its kind in Australia and demonstrates a truly disruptive approach to sports broadcasting”.

RV’s Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Saundry, said, “This partnership with Telstra also supports our objective to ensure that customers can watch Victorian racing whenever, wherever and however they choose by providing the framework to deliver broadcasting on mobile devices across multiple partners for the next 10 years.

“Furthermore, the integrity of Victorian racing is of paramount importance and this partnership will ensure that we can maximise the potential of our Control Room by extending the use of video conferencing and new technologies to more than 400 race meetings each year.”

The deal does not include broadcast rights.

Racing