Australian pay-TV heavyweight Foxtel has renewed its long-term broadcast partnership with Sky Racing, the horse and greyhound racing channel.
The extended deal will see Foxtel, including the Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now platforms continue to broadcast 24/7 thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing coverage through Sky Racing via its Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2, and Sky Thoroughbred Central channels.
An expanded aspect of the renewal sees Foxtel Business customers (excluding licensed venues) being provided with access to all three Sky Racing channels to broadcast at their venues.
Foxtel Business customers include gyms, retail shops, reception areas, cafes and restaurants, hotels, aged care, hospitals, mining, and workforce accommodation.
For the first time, all three Sky Racing channels will also be broadcast in high definition into Australian homes.
Foxtel Group and Sky Racing have a long-standing partnership spanning more than 20 years.
Sky Racing broadcasts over 150,000 races live annually across Australia and in more than 60 countries internationally.
Selina Rumble, Sky Racing head of racing and sports media partnerships, has said: “Our relationship with Foxtel is one of the longest broadcast partnerships in Australian sport, and we’re delighted to continue to grow and innovate the way in which all tri-code racing is broadcast and promoted.
“Together we’re bringing live racing coverage into thousands of homes across Australia, complementing our direct distribution of Sky Racing into circa 4000 retail venues and close to 70 different countries. This partnership is a great outcome for Sky, Foxtel, and the racing industry.”
Global sports streaming service DAZN completed its acquisition of Foxtel last month for A$3.4 billion ($2.2 billion).
The major media company recently made significant numbers of staff redundant as part of a restructuring process following the formal takeover.
Foxtel is one of the most prominent sports rightsholders in the country, boasting 4.7 million subscribers and covering properties such as the Australian Football League, motor racing’s Formula 1, and, in a recently expanded deal, Australian domestic cricket.
The broadcaster also holds rights to a whole swathe of top-tier cricket, such as the Indian Premier League T20 competition through 2027, and operates the popular Kayo OTT service.
