Sky Channel (Australia)

Sky Channel
Launched	1985
Owned by	Tabcorp Holdings
Picture format	576i (PAL)
Country	Australia
Language	English
Website	www.skychannel.com.au

Sky Channel is an Australian broadcaster specialising in live thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. It is owned by Tabcorp Holdings. Sky Channel launched Australia's first ever satellite in 1985.

Channels

Sky Channel currently operates three separate television channels and two radio channel, most of which are primarily focused on Australian thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing.

Sky Racing

Australia's first nationwide racing channel, Sky Racing broadcasts live Australian and overseas horse and dog racing for 15 hours per day. Sky Racing is available to both direct-to-home subscription TV viewers, and businesses including pubs, clubs, totalisators and local racing tracks.

Sky International

This channel delivers select Australian race meetings to international locations including UK, USA, New Zealand, Europe and Asia. Extended coverage can be seen on Sky International due to its unique schedule. Content from Sky International can be seen on other racing channels, such as At The Races.

Sky Business TV / Sky Ringside

Business TV is a part-time multi-channel service designed to be used for corporations or businesses wishing to stream live broadcasts, video conferences or meetings via satellite to another location. Sky Channel can lease studio space to clients and can utilise its Sky International bandwidth to deliver content around the world. Sky Business TV channels also air Sky Ringside, a program which features live boxing tournaments from around the world. Pubs, clubs and businesses receiving Sky Racing also have access to Sky Ringside when it airs.

Sky Sports Radio

Sky Channel also operates Sky Sports Radio, which is available in most parts of NSW and the ACT via AM and FM transmission. It is also available on digital radio in Sydney. It predominantly covers horse and greyhound racing, however it also has a number of general sporting talk programs.

A second station, Sky Sports Radio Digital, is currently only available via digital radio in Sydney.

Content

Other than broadcasting live racing 15 hours per day, Sky Channel produces a number of programmes tailored to specific types of racing in Australia. Most programmes feature expert reviews and tips for upcoming events. Some popular programmes include;

• Racing Retro
• Off The Beaten Track
• Inside Running
• The Catching Pen
• In The Gig

Broadcasting

Live content is supplied to Sky Channel via fibre optic, microwave or satellite links from independently owned racing clubs. As of August 2006, most live content and all of Sky's flagship programs are broadcast in 16x9 widescreen digital format to all subscribers.

Race Callers

Horse Racing

Matthew Hill (NSW)

Josh Flemming (NSW)

Rod Fuller (NSW)

Colin Hodges (NSW)

Greg Miles (VIC)

Terry Bailey (VIC)

Adam Olszanski (VIC)

Rick McIntosh (VIC)

Adam Crettenden (VIC)

Brian Markovic (VIC)

Brendan Delaney (VIC)

Darren McAullay (WA)

David Wrensted (WA)

Craig Morrison (WA)

Alan Thomas (QLD)

Russell Leonard (QLD)

Pat O'Shea (QLD)

Colin McNiff (TAS)

Terry McAuliffe (SA)

Hilton Donaldson (SA)

Harness Racing

Fred Hastings (NSW)

Kevin Thompson (NSW)

Craig Eassey (NSW)

Dan Mielicki (VIC)

Lachlan McIntosh (VIC)

Craig Rail (VIC)

Chris Barsby (QLD)

David Fowler (QLD)

Stuart Lowe (WA)

Richard Bell (WA)

Greyhounds

Paul Ambrosoli (NSW)

John McDermott (NSW)

Tim Newbold (NSW)

Bob Lane (NSW)

Ron Knight (NSW)

Phil Roberts (NSW)

Rob Testa (VIC)

Ron Hawkswell (VIC)

Andrew Patterson (VIC)

Paul Hammon (VIC)

James Van De Matt (VIC)

JOE DYER (QLD)

Ryan Levitzke (WA)

All Rounders

Mitchell Manners (NSW)

Brent Considine (NSW)

Shane Yates (TAS)

Brenton Yates (SA)

Jim Jacques (SA)

Paul Dolan (QLD)

Steve Hawkins (QLD)

John Brasch (QLD)

Mottos

• "At home on the track"
• "Power, instinct, heart"