PDA

View Full Version : Press Release: DISH Network to Carry Racetrack Television Network Subscription Pac


phrelin
05-13-09, 01:16 PM
I'm sure someone is interested in this: :sure: ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 13, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) today announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement with Racetrack Television Network (RTN) and HorseRacing TV (HRTV) for the creation of a subscription racing package. The subscription package will be offered to DISH Network(R) subscribers under the brand name "Racetrack Television Network," and will consist of up to 80 channels of live thoroughbred, quarterhorse, harness and greyhound racing.

Each racetrack in the package will have its own dedicated channel, allowing viewers to watch the same live, uninterrupted simulcast feed as is shown in commercial wagering establishments. The simulcast feed will include full wagering information, paddock shots, and post parades. Depending upon the time of year and the number of racetracks operating the package will include as many as 700 live races daily. DISH Network subscribers will be able to watch all of the exciting racing action for the everyday low price of $49.99 per month.

In addition to the 80 channel package, DISH Network viewers will have the opportunity to subscribe to a "Best of RTN" package. The "Best of RTN" package will consist of the live simulcast feeds of 12 of the top RTN racetracks running at any given time. The "Best of RTN" package will cost $29.99 per month.

Both the 80 channel and "Best Of RTN" packages are expected to launch in September, 2009

As part of the agreement announced today, HRTV and DISH Network have entered into a long-term extension of HRTV's carriage arrangement on DISH Network. HRTV and RTN will work cooperatively to market and promote the subscription package.

"With the recent running of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes around the corner, we are all reminded of the popularity of horse racing," said Michael Kelly, Executive Vice President of DISH Network. "We are pleased to be able to offer DISH Network subscribers the most complete package of racing content available in the marketplace."

"This new arrangement with DISH Network allows us to greatly improve and expand the existing distribution of the RTN package of racing content," said Todd Roberts, President of Racetrack Television Network. "Through this new relationship with DISH Network, it will now be easier than ever for racing fans across the country to access the full-card simulcast feeds available on RTN. Furthermore, our relationship with HRTV allows us to market and promote both the RTN package and the sport of racing in general, in ways never before possible."

About DISH Network Corporation

DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the nation's HD leader, provides approximately 13.584 million satellite TV customers as of March 31, 2009 with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including the lowest all-digital price nationwide. Customers have access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most HD channels, the most international channels, state-of-the-art interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including 1080p Video on Demand and the DuoDVR ViP(R) 722 DVR, a CNET and PC Magazine "Editors' Choice." DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com.

About RTN

RTN (www.rtn.tv) is a subscription based television network that offers live, uninterrupted, full card simulcasts from thoroughbred, harness, quarter horse, and greyhound racetracks throughout North America and other parts of the world. RTN currently offers up to 40 channels of service via its private, direct to home satellite network for a monthly subscription fee. RTN is scheduled to launch an internet and mobile version of the service in September, 2009.

About HRTV

HRTV (www.hrtv.com) is a 24-hour television network providing wire-to-wire coverage of live horse racing action, as well as originally produced horse racing related programming. HRTV covers more than 70 Thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse racetracks in the United States and across the globe. HRTV is available to approximately 17 million subscribers throughout the United States.

SOURCE DISH Network Corporation

http://www.rtn.tv

nmetro
05-13-09, 02:44 PM
80 Channels for Horse Racing? Considering a number of markets do not have PBS in HD this is a huge chunk of bandwidth which has been removed for future expansion. I guess with full MPEG4 this may not take up as much transponder space as MPEG2, but it does sound like a major reduction in future resource availability. I also suspect that these 8- channels are being beamed from one of their lesser used satellites (other than 61.5, 77, 110, 119, 129 or 148).

As fro horse racing, a number of tracks are already having a hard time attracting spectators and gamblers. Even New York City eliminated Off Track Betting and special Long Island Railroad trains to Belmont Park, for example. Are people willing to pay $60 a month to watch and bet on horse races in the comfort of their own home? I am not going to get into the Gambler Anonynous issue sthat this may raise as well.

Steve Mehs
05-13-09, 03:06 PM
Looks to me like 'ole Charlie likes the ponies. Let's see, Dish used to offer TrackPower, a series of 4 premium horse racing channels until it folded, there was another set of channels dedicated to horse racing whose name escapes me, they were one of the first MSOs to offer TVGames, they have HRTV and now this. Someone give Chuck an 800 number to one of those gambling addiction hotlines.

James Long
05-13-09, 03:37 PM
Charlie would uplink a 24/7 poker network if it were for his own pleasure. Not sure he likes ponies.

It will be interesting to see where these channels land. I expect they will be MPEG4 on Eastern Arc and 129 or 148 ... and sold commercially to the sites that rely on these feeds for "off track" gambling. Those places usually have a small dish farm out back to get the feeds they need to run their business. With DISH's carriage smaller "off track" locations could open up with a single dish or one dish aimed each way for redundant feeds.

It is money to keep the company running ...

jclewter79
05-13-09, 03:43 PM
Sounds kinda cool but, we are not allowed to wager on horses by wire in Texas. So, kinda sucks for me. If I were to wager on these channels I think that the two we have provide enough races to bet on in a days time.

MSoper72
05-13-09, 05:33 PM
Just another channel to block. Come on Charlie. Give us something that we want, not this garbage. :rolleyes: :lol:

6tv's
05-13-09, 06:48 PM
This recent news really ticks me off !! What is it going to take to get HRTV on DirecTV? Can someone truthfully explain why we still don't have this channel, but Dish now has all these. TVG is not the only horseracing channel available. Is it too much to ask DirecTV to add this one channel? C'mon now year after year DirecTV refuses to give us this channel. Anyone want to help, maybe when NBA channel moves from 601 to 216, DirecTV can put HRTV in its old spot.

Kheldar
05-13-09, 07:01 PM
RTN currently broadcasts from Galaxy 3C at 95 degrees.
This is the same satellite that DirecTV uses for International programming.

They use DISH Network receivers, although they require a bigger dish.

http://www.rtn.tv/
http://www.rtn.tv/programming/faqs.aspx

I wonder if this means they are shutting down their own stand-alone service and switching all their subscribers to DishNet?

brant
05-13-09, 07:58 PM
80 Channels for Horse Racing? Considering a number of markets do not have PBS in HD this is a huge chunk of bandwidth which has been removed for future expansion.

They already lease out Ka band on ciel 2 for internet broadband.

Its not like Charlie's just going to sit on empty space. Who could blame him? It costs a lot of money to float that thing up there.

James Long
05-13-09, 09:35 PM
The amazing thing is that RTN is charging $99.99 per month for 40 channels, the new rate will be $49.99 for 80 channels (or $29.99 for "the best 12" at any time).

It won't be available until September on DISH ... I wonder if it will be on 118 (completely out of the way of Eastern Arc and Western Arc service)?

projectorguru
05-14-09, 09:44 AM
Awesome I'm there

bones boy
05-14-09, 11:15 AM
Sounds kinda cool but, we are not allowed to wager on horses by wire in Texas. .

You are allowed to use any of the legal horse racing websites based in the United States - there are 4 major ADW (advance deposit wagering) sites - and you will not have to succumb to the grainy video that the web sites offer on your PC.

If I was on Dish I would be there.

Aransay
05-14-09, 02:43 PM
tehy shoudl put them on 121 or 105 tehs lot of spae

fo sucha an x bigpaegua wing mighteb an option ofr hsoe inetres i doeny se ei as eomthing aminstrea ,

Paul Secic
05-15-09, 12:37 PM
80 Channels for Horse Racing? Considering a number of markets do not have PBS in HD this is a huge chunk of bandwidth which has been removed for future expansion. I guess with full MPEG4 this may not take up as much transponder space as MPEG2, but it does sound like a major reduction in future resource availability. I also suspect that these 8- channels are being beamed from one of their lesser used satellites (other than 61.5, 77, 110, 119, 129 or 148).

As fro horse racing, a number of tracks are already having a hard time attracting spectators and gamblers. Even New York City eliminated Off Track Betting and special Long Island Railroad trains to Belmont Park, for example. Are people willing to pay $60 a month to watch and bet on horse races in the comfort of their own home? I am not going to get into the Gambler Anonynous issue sthat this may raise as well.

This seems like a waste of bandwith because many states don't allow betting. I wonder how much $$$$$$$$$$$S Dish is getting.

Nonno
05-17-09, 12:30 PM
What bothers me is we will probably lose the regualar HRTV, which covers enough simulcast already the way it is. And what is going to happen to TVG, will they eliminate the free competition?

Paul Secic
05-18-09, 10:14 AM
What bothers me is we will probably lose the regualar HRTV, which covers enough simulcast already the way it is. And what is going to happen to TVG, will they eliminate the free competition?

I think HRTV will stay on Dish because they pay.

kenglish
05-23-09, 02:53 PM
If we live in a state where gambling is illegal, will Charlie let us "move" to get this service?
(Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

James Long
05-23-09, 03:02 PM
Watching the races isn't gambling ... this package will provide people with the ability to watch races ... twice as many channels as they can see with the current package for half of the current price.

Gambling is something else ... those who want to gamble would have to deal with whomever is offering a gambling service.