Network Ten and the Victorian Racing Club (VRC) have confirmed media reports from last week that they have signed an agreement that will see the Melbourne Cup Carnival live broadcast on Ten for five years from 2019.
It marks the return of the Melbourne Cup Carnival to Ten, which was previously telecast rights holder from 1978 to 2001 — and Ten’s interest and involvement in racing coverage dates back to its early days in the 1960s.
The race that stops the nation, The Melbourne Cup, has a new home here at Network Ten. #TenNews @nicketchells10 pic.twitter.com/tOHdCofsVm
— Ten News Melbourne (@tennewsmelb) September 3, 2018
The deal, worth $100 million, gives Network Ten rights to broadcast live the four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival — AAMI Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Kennedy Oaks Day and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day.
The agreement comprises a suite of Melbourne Cup Carnival media rights, including free to air TV, internet, social media, mobile, OTT (Over-The-Top) and HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) within Australia.
Network Ten has also agreed terms with Racing.com to provide live coverage of all races across the Melbourne Cup Carnival on its channels and the Racing.com app. The live vision streaming rights for Wagering Service Providers are excluded from the deal with Network Ten.
VRC Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson welcomed the Cup’s move back to Ten: “During the comprehensive tender process Network Ten proved themselves to be the best partner to take us into the future. This partnership will extend the Melbourne Cup Carnival to be visible across the network, across platforms and across the full year. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to engage new and growing audiences to our Carnival and to the sport of racing.”
VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott acknowledged the contribution made to the Melbourne Cup by current rights holder Seven Network: “While we are excited about this new stage for the Club, our heartfelt thanks go to the Seven Network, a valued and close Cup Week partner of ours for 16 years. Seven has broadcast the Melbourne Cup Carnival to millions of Australians and has played a pivotal role in assisting in growing the event into the global phenomenon it is today,” Mrs Elliott said.
“We look forward to working with Seven on another outstanding Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2018.”
Network Ten CEO Paul Anderson (pictured far right with Neil Wilson) said in a media statement: “We are extremely excited that the Melbourne Cup Carnival is coming home to Network Ten. Our Network has a rich history with this world-class event having been the broadcaster of the race that stops a nation for over two decades. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the most prestigious horseracing events in the world, and Cup Day is iconic, not just in the sporting calendar, but for all Australians.”
“Ten is home to some of Australia’s most loved programming and talent. As part of this landmark media rights partnership, all the thrill and excitement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival story will live on Network Ten across the entire year, and be showcased in new ways across our various platforms, including those of our parent company CBS.”
Source: VRC, Network Ten, Ten Eyewitness News
They should make a bid with Channel 9 for the next AFL rights and shut out fox footy and 7 when they come up in few years time. They need another high profile sport. They only have ALeague, Supercars, a bit of rugby and the melbourne cup now in 2019