TAB buy back radio frequencies in $4m deal, paving way for live commentaries again
By Barry Lichter • 23 November 2023
Racing fans can look forward to hearing live commentaries again with the surprise news today that TAB New Zealand has bought back its radio frequencies.
The TAB sold its Radio Trackside frequencies in April, 2021, as part of a number of drastic cost cutting moves, but has agreed to buy them back in a $4 million deal taking over the loss-making SENZ Digital & Audio.
The agreement will see TAB NZ take over the SENZ brand, website and app, along with 28 radio stations (across 29 frequencies), digital and audio content creation teams, and audio rights to several sports including cricket, netball, rugby league and Premier League football.
CEO Nick Roberts said TAB New Zealand was excited at the prospect of bringing more racing coverage to fans of the sport, but he did not say when commentaries would start.
“Once we complete the transaction (expected to be in February), we plan to work with our partners at Entain to address elements like the volume of live racing and how it is distributed.
“We certainly do see a world where racing fans can hear more live commentary than exists today.”
The TAB’s decision to can Radio Trackside was universally comdemned by both punters and industry participants but Interim Chair Anna Stove said the frequencies were sold to mitigate operating costs. TAB NZ would now be acquiring a much-improved asset worth more than NZ$2 million, along with the radio frequencies.
“The business has significantly expanded in the last two and a half years from a set of radio frequencies to a modern, multi-platform media business.”
Through its strategic partnership with Entain, it was now well placed to build on the progress and create a one-stop shop for news, views, and information for punters.
Entain Australia and New Zealand chief executive Dean Shannon congratulated TAB NZ on its move.
“It is a great outcome for all of those who are passionate about racing and sports in New Zealand. Radio remains a key pillar for engaging racing and sporting audiences.”
Sports Entertainment Group, run by Australian media mogul Craig Hutchison, will continue to provide content to SENZ and will earn commission on advertising revenue it secures for the NZ business.
SENZ lost NZ$5.98 million in the year to June 30, accounting for a majority of parent company SEG’s A$9.2 million deficit.
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Two (not so) secret weapons help Lincoln Farms to $29,287 payday at Cambridge
Deb dresses her latest ‘Copy’ weanling in white and he delivers a Major coup
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirited Belle
4.46pm
Delany: “I saw she’d been punted but somebody must know something we don’t as I’ve been working her myself and, while she feels all right and hasn’t put the boot in like at Auckland, I think she’ll need the run. She hasn’t got any high speed but feels like she will stay. She has improved a bit but I’d be surprised if she won.”
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
4.46pm
“It’s always hard from these draws but she’s a tough mare who will make her own luck at some stage. She’s going well enough - her drivers have all been happy - and she’s a little warrior who tries like hell.”
Race 2: Major Copy
5.12pm
“He’s only two and very inexperienced but he feels like a good colt and there’s a lot of improvement in him. He certainly caught a lot of people’s attention last time. I don’t know how good he is yet but he’ll be right there.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.12pm
“If he can lead without having to do too much work I can’t see anything beating him. I thought he went great last start. He pressed the winner hard ’til the corner then just flattened out in the run home, but he had every reason to do that after all the work he’d done.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.12pm
“She’s been undone by bad draws. If she led easily from three she’d be hard to beat as she’s a good front-runner.”
Race 4: Spirited Peggy
6.12pm
“We’ve had her for only two weeks but she’s seven now and has had her chance to win one. She has a bit of speed but I think she gets pulling so we’ve got the Hidez (compression) hood on her and plugged her ears up.”
Race 6: Copy N Paste
7.10pm
“We won’t see the best of him for another six months. He’s been a slow developing horse but is improving all the time and getting stronger.”
Race 6: Jessie Lincoln
7.10pm
“If I was having a bet on one of them in the race it would be her. She deserves to win one. Her last two have been really good - she just ran into one who was a bit slicker last time in Major Copy.”
Race 6: Lincoln Dealer
7.10pm
“He’s a bit one-dimensional - you’ve got to feed him track and let him run - so the second row draw is a big handicap. To his credit I was surprised he finished so close last time after all the work he did. When he gets a decent draw and crosses them they’ll know they’re at the races. He’s got a big motor and tries hard.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.08pm
“She clawed her way to the front last time but had nothing left at the finish. That won’t happen this time and she should lead easily from one.”
Race 8: Angelic Copy
8.08pm
“She’s had terrible draws but has been going good races. The others last time were just better than her but this is a big drop in class. With the right trip she could get some of it at huge odds.”
Race 9: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.35pm
“He’s not quick away from a stand but he won’t muff it completely. He steps from the front line and Peter Ferguson was quite happy with his last run.”
Race 9: Lincoln Wave
8.35pm
“He bombed the stand the first time but to be fair all those horses were rushing up at him from the back and that panicked him a bit. He’s on 10 metres this time so that won’t happen.”
