Confession time - after all these years as racing industry participants, until last Saturday we had
never watched the
Channel 7 free-to-air broadcast of the Races.
Why?
Well the answer is simple. As an industry participant,
most Saturday’s we are at the races, and when we are not trackside we need to have Foxtel so we can watch the races on
Sky Channel or Racing.com and both these dedicated Racing Channels do an excellent job as a dedicated industry resource, showing wall-to-wall racing seven days a week.
However, with the self-isolation and social distancing requirements, last Saturday we chose to record the Sky Channel coverage and the Racing.com coverage and
watched the Channel 7 coverage.
We were amazed at what is the arguably
“best kept secret” to racing participants – that is,
Channel 7 do a really good job!
We should not have been surprised when you look at the
class of the anchors being Jason Richardson and Richard Freedman.
Dynamic RICHARD FREEDMAN
These men are superb judges and unequalled talents.
BRUCE McAVANEY & JASON RICHARDSON
In fairness that’s what sets apart the Channel 7 production, as a polished, professional performance.
Whilst the other on-air talent such as ever competent
Bruce McAvaney lends capable support rolls to fill the dead air times, it’s really the
Richo and Freedie show that we loved listening too.
They are knowledgeable men about racing matters and deliver information in an entertaining format.
Importantly, what
wasn’t shown on the Channel 7 coverage was actually their
masterstroke.
They had none of that lacklustre socialite fluff and bubble drivel, ugly fashion commentary and “C Grade interviewers with D Grade starlets” unashamedly promoting themselves, which has zero to do with racing and historically, pushed most racing enthusiasts away to the Pay TV Channel.
By cutting this,
Channel 7 embraced their audience, not repel them, and
we feel confident that their audience figures would reflect this.
It was quality coverage with excellent, on point pieces about leading industry participants which offered meaningful insights. The stories on Gai Waterhouse, James Cummings, John Messara and others were an educational and enjoyable segue to upcoming races.
So, from an industry participants viewpoint, we would recommend to our Owners and Followers to give the Channel 7 coverage a try over the next couple of Saturday’s starting with Day 1 of The Championships.
Their coverage commences at midday on their main Channel 7 and then at 5:00pm will swap over to their digital channel 7Two to cover the feature Doncaster Handicap at 5:15pm and the PJ Bell Stakes at 5:50pm.
Viewers can also watch the coverage of the Sydney races on Sky Channel via a smartphone through either the Racing NSW website or through their TAB App.
Whatever way viewers choose to watch The Championships, it promises to be a super day’s racing and importantly we are the only live sport available.
Happy Viewing!