Release on TVG-Big M deal

TVG, America’s Horseracing Network, has won exclusive television distribution and account wagering rights from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for its racetracks, it was announced today by TVG General Manager David Nathanson, effective Jan. 1, 2007. In advance of that date, TVG will begin televising and accepting account wagers on races from the Meadowlands Saturday, Dec. 9.

The Meadowlands races have been seen on Horse Racing TV (HRTV) as well as the Racetrack Television Network (RTN). Harnessracing.com is aware there are rumors that the contract with TVG precludes the races being shown on both HRTV and RTN. Harnessracing.com has also learned XpressBet, which is a service of HRTV, has filed a complaint with the New Jersey governor's office regarding the possible future exclusion. The Meadowlands has declined to comment on the status of RTN continuing to show the Big M signal.

TVG was awarded the rights after being selected the winner in competitive bidding. The Network receives exclusive rights outside of New Jersey for racing at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks. The addition of these important venues to TVG’s portfolio of track partners increases the number of U.S. tracks with which the network has exclusive domestic television and account wagering rights to 26. Agreements with venues in the U.K., Ireland and Japan recently added an additional 55 international tracks.

“We are pleased that the NJSEA chose TVG from a field of strong bidders to showcase their world class racing products,” said TVG’s Nathanson. “This partnership is all about growing the state’s racing industry and we will use all of our platforms to present the excitement of New Jersey racing to the widest possible audience.”

“We welcome TVG as our television and account wagering partner and look forward to working closely with them to expand our business beyond the borders of New Jersey,” said Jerold L. Zaro, commissioner of the NJSEA.

This is the first time ever that the network will cover events at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.

Located just outside Manhattan, the Meadowlands is widely regarded as hosting the finest harness racing in the United States including the $1.5 million Hambletonian. Moving forward, TVG will couple its evening centerpiece program, “The Quarters”, with new lead-in programming dedicated to the best in harness racing.

“We’re very excited about adding top-quality harness racing to our program lineup,” said Tony Allevato, TVG Senior Vice President and Executive Producer. “Our audience has come to expect innovation in our primetime coverage, and we’re confident that the new show will generate as much energy and excitement as our Quarter Horse programming does now.”

At Monmouth Park, the NJSEA presents great summer Thoroughbred action, headlined by the $1 million Haskell Invitational and the Grade 1 United Nations Handicap. In 2007, the track will host the $20 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the first time. TVG is title sponsor of the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the TVG Sprint Division. Additionally, TVG produces “The Works,” the Breeders’ Cup Simulcast Show, and other wrap-around television programming for the event as part of its relationship with Breeders’ Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

“With the Breeders’ Cup coming to Monmouth Park in 2007 and TVG’s longstanding association with the Breeders’ Cup and NTRA, we believe that working with TVG is an important step in maximizing the success of the event for New Jersey racing,” Zaro said.

TVG noted that it is aware that one of the unsuccessful bidders is seeking to challenge this award. (From press release from the Meadowlands and harnessracing.com news gathering)

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