Is the Melbourne cup still on Racing.com? I’m assuming its still on Sky racing?
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Reports at the time indicated that Tabcorp were willing to sub-license the coverage to Racing.com, which I assume they will proceed with. Additionally, Sky would certainly have rights, given that they are owned by Tabcorp.
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As Tabcorp owns the master broadcast rights of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, it should get prominent coverage on Sky 1, while the races will be mixed with interstate events on Sky Racing.
In an interview with Stellar magazine last month, Francesca Cumani said she would return to Melbourne to be part of Cup Carnival, after taking last year off for the birth of her new child. She didn’t say if she’s working with Tabcorp or Nine though.
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It’ll be interesting to see how much investment if any the TAB put into their Sky coverage, as well as Seven with Racing .com’s. Given majority of eyes will be on Nine’s and thats where ‘off the track’ coverage has a heavier emphasis too.
Though a lot of Out-Of-Home (OOH) viewing, especially pubs, will either be on Sky or Racing .com you’d imagine. So harder for Nine to claim now about OOH viewing when releasing their figures, as Seven always noted in theirs.
Also Nine’s contract will be interesting in terms of Racing, as it was reported 10 made it forbidden for Bruce McAvaney and Hamish McLachlan to appear during Cup coverage, among other stipulations.
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Why would 10 get a say if Seven personalities like Bruce or Hamish could be involved? Or do you mean Seven and not 10?
Either way, I doubt Seven would allow Bruce (and probably Hamish) to appear, on Nine’s coverage since they didn’t allow him to appear on Nine during the Olympics.
She’d be a shoe in you’d say?
No no, 10 said that within the contract those two couldn’t work on competing broadcasts. They never asked them to appear on 10, just that they didn’t appear anywhere else.
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To clarify: Channel 10 did a deal that allowed RacingdotCom the right to provide coverage of the Cup Carnival. One of the conditions of that deal was that Bruce and Hamish were not allowed to be involved with the RacingDotCom coverage of the carnival.
Seven had an ownership stake in RacingDotCom at the time,
Bruce and Hamish were free to present Sydney racing coverage which competed directly against 10
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Exactly what I said (but more eloquently than me lol)
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Ah okay that make’s more sense - thanks both of you.
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Good to see Cumani back. She has appeared on all 3 commercial networks at least once for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
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Full presenter line up now confirmed:
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SMH with similar details:
I note that the VRC is producing 20-25 mins of coverage per hour. So one would assume nine is wrapping around the coverage it doesn’t need to produce. Interesting format to say the least.
Other than that with very similar people to 10 the coverage will be not dissimilar to what we have had.
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Eddie McGuire, Michelle Payne and David Gately were part of 10’s Melbourne Cup broadcasts last year, while Francesca Cumani will make her debut on Nine.
The major difference from 10’s coverage is that Fashion on the Field will be streamed in full for the first time.
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I’m sure 10 had a pop up channel showing Fashions on the Field live last year, this article would indicate they did too.
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NINE UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED HOSTING LINE-UP FOR 2024 MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL BROADCAST
In a groundbreaking first, the 9Network is thrilled to announce its all-star hosting team for the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival. As the official broadcaster for one of the world’s most iconic sporting events, Nine has assembled an unparalleled team of hosts and experts to bring all the action, drama, and glamour of the carnival to viewers across Australia.
Leading the charge from the on-course studio will be legendary sports broadcaster Eddie McGuire, who will set the stage for four incredible days of racing. Joining him from the heart of the action in the Mounting Yard is James Bracey, while globally respected racing expert Francesca Cumani will provide expert analysis throughout the carnival.
Form analysts Grace Ramage and David Gately will ensure viewers have all the insights they need, while footy legend Billy Slater will take up an on-course role, interviewing winning jockeys on horseback. Tony Jones will also be in the thick of it, conducting interviews in the Mounting Yard, offering unmatched access to the stars of the sport.
Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador and Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne OAM will appear on the broadcast as part of her Victoria Racing Club role. Michelle will provide invaluable insights and expert analysis throughout the carnival, drawing from her historic 2015 win and deep knowledge of the racing industry.
Bringing the glamour and celebrity buzz to life, Clint Stanaway, Sylvia Jeffreys, Jelena Dokic, and Olympic champion Jessica Fox will deliver all the colour and excitement from the Birdcage and beyond.
A highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is always the prestigious Fashions on the Field, and our team will be front and centre to showcase all the stunning styles and breathtaking designs as Australia’s best-dressed racegoers compete for the coveted title. From bold sartorial statements to timeless elegance, they’ll capture all the action, ensuring viewers don’t miss a moment of the fashion extravaganza that defines Cup week.
In addition to our live broadcast, viewers can enjoy an enhanced experience on 9Now, where we’ll be offering exclusive content throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Fans can access preview programs, archive footage, daily highlights, and race replays, ensuring they stay across all the action, anytime, anywhere. For fashion lovers, 9Now will also live stream Fashions on the Field, providing a front-row seat to the style spectacle. Whether it’s on the big screen or on the go, 9Now will be the ultimate destination for all things Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The broadcast kicks off with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, November 2, followed by the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 5. Next is Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, November 7, and the carnival concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, November 9.
Adding to the excitement, 9News Melbourne with Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort, along with Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Clint Stanaway, Sophie Walsh, and the entire teams from Today and Weekend Today, will broadcast live from Southbank Promenade at Crown and from Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. They will bring exclusive on-the-ground coverage and insights, immersing viewers in all the action and excitement of Cup week.
Brent Williams, Director of Sport for the 9Network, expressed his excitement about the upcoming coverage, stating:
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the greatest spectacles in the sporting world, and we couldn’t be prouder to be the host broadcaster. With such an extraordinary line-up of talent, combined with our state-of-the-art production, we are set to deliver an unforgettable experience for all Australians. This is just the beginning of a thrilling partnership with the Victoria Racing Club and Tabcorp that will take this event to new heights for years to come.”This marks the first year in a multi-year broadcast, media, and sponsorship deal between the Victoria Racing Club, Tabcorp, and Nine Entertainment to bring the Melbourne Cup Carnival to audiences from 2024 to 2029.
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10’s coverage started with Matt White in 2019, before being infamously sacked (including as HoS) by the network, then Stephen Quartermain IIRC during COVID, then they were able to come to an agreement with Nine for Eddie McGuire.
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No Michael Felgate, which is a shame, a fantastic racing journalist and analyst.
Had been involved on-air in every Melbourne Cup Carnival (maybe bar one or two years when he first left Seven before returning a decade ago) since 2005, for both Seven and 10. Also given his wife Jacqui is back at Nine now (via 3AW).
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I’m not sure I’d expect to get a job just because my wife worked at the same organisation.
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I know, not so much as a contributing factor, just making the point
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Felgate is a big omission for Nine’s Melbourne Cup carnival coverage.
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