The Seven Network is set to go head-to-head against Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup coverage this Tuesday as the aggressive promotion of Sydney racing intensifies.
Recent years have seen Channel 7’s Saturday coverage of the Golden Eagle from Randwick regularly attract more viewers compared with Channel 10’s coverage of the Victoria Derby from Melbourne.
The addition of The Big Dance in 2022 will now see Channel 7 broadcasting live racing from Sydney on Tuesday at the same time as Channel 10 is hoping to attract big audience figures with it’s coverage of “The race that stops a nation”.
The Big Dance boasts a field of the best Country Cup winners and second-placed thoroughbreds, from 25 selected races across regional New South Wales, racing for the $2 million prize money.
Seven’s coverage of The Big Dance will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 and 7plus from Royal Randwick at midday AEDT on Tuesday, 1 November.
The network is promising to provide viewers all the ‘biggest and best’ moments on track from Randwick and Eagle Farm, over five hours of live and free coverage.
Seven’s coverage of The Big Dance will be led by the iconic Bruce McAvaney, who will be joined by Samantha Armytage, Jason Richardson, Emily Bosson while Jess Bott rounds out Seven’s coverage from Randwick.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“The Big Dance is a very new, very Australian concept with opportunities for people involved in all levels of racing, to make their way to the big stage.”
“At Seven, we are thrilled to deliver a jam-packed day of national thoroughbred celebration, including all the action direct from a sell-out crowd at Royal Randwick, on an iconic day on the Australian racing calendar,”
“The Big Dance marks the third piece of the puzzle in what is already an outstanding week of racing on Seven.”
“Kicking off with the $10 million Golden Eagle on Saturday – headlined by the unstoppable Jamie Kah and international racing champion, Frankie Dettori – followed by The Big Dance and culminating with the Five Diamonds and Golden Gift, you will not want to miss a minute of the action live and free on Seven.”
“With racing coverage across 52 weeks of the year, Seven is Your Home of Racing and we are proud to support great innovations from all our partners.”
“We look forward to delivering a great day of Australian racing, live and free on Seven and 7plus.”
Royal Randwick – The Big Dance: Tuesday, 1 November from 12.00pm AEDT on Channel 7 and 7plus
Saturday 29 October
Rosehill – Golden Eagle
Sydney 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Melbourne 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane 11.00am live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide 11.30am live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth 9.00am live on 7two, 10.00am live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Tuesday 1 November
Royal Randwick – The Big Dance
Eagle Farm
Sydney 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Melbourne 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane 11.00am live on 7two, 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide 11.30am live on 7two, 12.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth 9.00am live on 7two, 11.00am live on Channel 7 and 7plus
How ridiculous, I googled what channel to watch Melbourne cup, it said 7 and 7 Plus. I missed the Melbourne Cup and so did a group of disabled people IT WASN’T on Channel 7. Instead watched a whole lot of crap about Sydney races. Really misleading.
What a load of codswallop that was. I rarely watch horse racing, but it’s always been on 7, hasn’t it?
It seems Sydney and Channel 7 have once again done a cheap imitation and accomplished nothing original, yet again.
Please tell me normally what other grand Australian horse race there is during mid-afternoon on a weekday during Melbourne Cup Day – none. That’s how many. Zilch. That’s how ridiculous this was to have this off-brand cheap imitation staged on Melbourne Cup Day – it smacks of desperation.
I bet most people tuning in had no idea what the hell they were watching. “I can’t believe it’s not butter” – I can’t believe it’s not the Melbourne Cup. No doubt that was their intention.
Spot on
Disgraceful to try and broadcast over the Melbourne Cup
Shame on Bruce McAvaney and Channel 7