The Melbourne Cup Carnival, a renowned horse racing event in Australia, is on the cusp of a historic milestone as it prepares to receive global sports network coverage. The centerpiece of this grand carnival, the Lexus Melbourne Cup, often referred to as ‘The Race that Stops a Nation,’ is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, at Flemington Racecourse, offering an impressive AU$8.4 million (US$5.4 million) prize pool.
Global Coverage Across 209 Countries:
This year, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is set to captivate audiences worldwide, as it will be presented by 25 broadcasters across 209 countries and territories. To cater to its diverse global audience, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is producing a specialized world feed.
HBA Media (HBA), a global distribution agency dedicated to VRC, is expanding distribution for the entire Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2023. Eight major networks are set to provide comprehensive coverage of the VRC’s international programs throughout the four-day carnival.
Key Broadcasting Networks:
FOX Sports will lead the distribution for the carnival days, reaching more than 70 million homes in the USA.
TransVision in Indonesia, Premier Sports in South East Asia, and FanCode in India will make their debut in broadcasting the carnival, ensuring extensive coverage in Asia.
In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports Racing will provide coverage.
ESPN and SuperSport will bring the carnival to audiences in Africa, South, and Central America.
DMI will continue showcasing the event in the Middle East and North Africa.
Ten Network’s Decision:
This development comes on the heels of Ten Network’s decision to withdraw its bid for the Melbourne Cup broadcasting rights. Ten Network had been the official broadcaster of the Melbourne Cup Carnival since 2019, with a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million. However, the network chose to step away from the bidding process.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is poised to make history with its extensive global coverage, attracting a vast and diverse audience from around the world. This expansion in broadcasting networks demonstrates the enduring popularity and international appeal of this iconic Australian horse racing event.