TAB Trackside

{{short description|New Zealand horse racing broadcast networks}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Trackside | logo = [[File:Trackside1nz.png|250px]]<br><br>[[File:Trackside2nz.png|250px]] | logo_size = | logo_alt = | launch_date = 1978 | closed_date = | picture_format = [[16:9]] ([[HDTV]]) | network = | owner = [[TAB New Zealand]] | country = New Zealand | area = New Zealand | former_names = TV: Action TV, TAB TV, TAB Trackside <br> Radio: TAB Trackside Radio, Radio Pacific, bSport, LiveSport | replaced = | website = [http://www.trackside.co.nz/ Official Website] | sat_radio_serv_1 = | sat_radio_chan_1 = | adsl serv 1 = | adsl chan 1 = | online_serv_1 = Trackside | online_chan_1 = [http://www.trackside.co.nz trackside.co.nz] | online_serv_2 = Sky Go | online_chan_2 = [http://www.skygo.co.nz skygo.co.nz] }}

'''Trackside''' (previously known as '''TAB Trackside''') is a New Zealand horse racing and sports broadcast network, incorporating two [[free-to-air television]] channels. The TV channels are available on [[Sky (New Zealand)|Sky]] as well as [[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]] terrestrial and streaming services.<ref name=tabtv>{{cite web|title=TAB Trackside TV|url=http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|website=TAB Trackside|publisher=[[New Zealand Racing Board]]|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316065955/http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="april2014">{{cite web | url = http://www.tab.co.nz/help/tv-radio/radio-trackside.html | title = TAB Help - Trackside Radio | publisher = [[New Zealand Racing Board]] | access-date = 13 April 2015}}</ref> The radio station broadcasts on 14 [[AM radio]] and 16 [[FM radio]] frequencies from [[Kaitaia]] to [[Invercargill]] were suspended on 12 April 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://static.tab.co.nz/control/data/sport-competitions/TAB_trackside_radio_frequency_map.PNG | title=TAB Trackside Radio Frequency Map | publisher=[[New Zealand Racing Board]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204131127/https://static.tab.co.nz/control/data/sport-competitions/TAB_trackside_radio_frequency_map.PNG | archive-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>

Together, the outlets provide full coordinated coverage of all [[thoroughbred horse race|thoroughbred horse racing]], [[harness racing|harness horse racing]] and [[greyhound racing]] in New Zealand, most racing from Australia, and many races from Hong Kong, Singapore and other countries. The channels provides tickers and commentary with up-to-the-minute odds, field and dividend information. Between races, they feature on-track interviews, in-studio analysis, live footage of horses warming up for races, replays of previous races, and recaps of betting odds.<ref name=tabtv /><ref name=april2014 />

The live broadcasting of horse racing in the New Zealand dates back to the launch of a racing radio network in 1978. The station, originally known as Radio Pacific and later as bSport and LiveSport, became TAB Trackside Radio.<ref name="tabradio">{{cite web|title=TAB Trackside Radio|url=http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|website=TAB Trackside|publisher=[[New Zealand Racing Board]]|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316065955/http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A racing television station launched in 1992, initially known as Action TV and later as Trackside, is now Trackside 1. A second racing television station launched in 2007, known initially as TAB TV, is now Trackside 2.<ref name=tabtv />

==History== ===Radio Pacific=== [[File:Radio Pacific logo.gif|thumb|right|This was the Radio Pacific logo in 1991.]] Racing network '''Radio Pacific''' began in Auckland in 1978, and became one of the first commercial stations to be networked across the country in the early 1990s. The network combined news, news talkback, sports talkback and live racing commentaries.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Great New Zealand Radio Experiment|author=Morris William Shanahan, Karen Neill|year=2005|isbn=0-17-012480-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rEq27qhOdDwC&dq=%22radio+pacific%22&pg=PA132|access-date=2007-11-06|page=132|publisher=Thomson/Dunmore Press }}</ref><ref name=toast>{{cite book|last1=Lee-Robinson|first1=Robinson|title=Talkback Toast|date=2008|publisher=Ocean Books|location=Opitiki|isbn=978-0-473-13752-6}}</ref>

Radio Pacific became a listed company on the [[New Zealand Stock Exchange]] and the [[Totalisator Agency Board]] became its major shareholder. Radio Pacific's Waikato station began as Radio Waikato, New Zealand's third privately owned station. It originally broadcast in 930AM in 1971, before moving 954AM in 1978. In 1986 Radio Waikato changed to a [[country music]] format and was renamed Country Gold - Waikato 954. In 1988 it was sold to Radio Pacific and transitioned into a local talk radio format with national racing commentary. It changed its name to Radio Pacific and eventually replaced local programmes with Auckland networked programmes. A new station of the same name also operated in Hamilton between 1993 and 1994.<ref name=waikato>{{cite web|title=Radio Waikato story|url=http://www.radioheritage.net/Story115.asp|website=Radio Heritage|publisher=Radio Heritage Foundation|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref>

===Other radio stations=== [[File:LiveSport historical logo.png|thumb|right|This was the LiveSport logo in 2010.]] The company also owned the North Island music station group Energy Enterprises and merged with the South Island radio company [[Radio Otago]] in 1999. Between May 2000 and January 2001 it was purchased by [[CanWest Global Communications]], becoming part of [[RadioWorks]] and later part of [[MediaWorks New Zealand]]. Part of the company was purchased in July 2004, and the entire company was sold off in June 2007.<ref>[http://www.comcom.govt.nz/PublicRegisters/ContentFiles/Documents/294.pdf Decision No. 294] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928233856/http://www.comcom.govt.nz//PublicRegisters/ContentFiles/Documents/294.pdf |date=28 September 2006 }} [[Commerce Commission]], Wellington New Zealand, 1997.</ref>

Before 2005 live races and betting odds had been broadcast on Radio Pacific in pre-determined, limited periods during the race day under a contract with the [[New Zealand Racing Board]]. Between 2001 and 2005, this was also complemented by a trial Radio Trackside station in the Southland market dedicated to racing coverage.<ref name=shell>{{cite web|last1=Trevett|first1=Claire|title=Radio Live fires first shell in talkback war|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10119964|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|publisher=[[New Zealand Media and Entertainment]]|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=turnoff>{{cite web|last1=Drinnan|first1=John|title=Listeners turning off Radio Sport|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10540709|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|publisher=[[New Zealand Media and Entertainment]]|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=revamp>{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Jonathan|title=Revamp at talk station|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10457239|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|publisher=[[New Zealand Media and Entertainment]]|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref>

In 2005 [[MediaWorks New Zealand|MediaWorks]] launched new talkback network [[Radio Live]] and moved many of Radio Pacific's talkback personalities across to the new network. [[John Banks (New Zealand politician)|John Banks]] continued to host Radio Pacific's breakfast programme, and Alice Worsley and Martin Crump co-hosted a new morning talkback programme. A Trackside TV simulcast, branded as Radio Trackside, was broadcast in the afternoon.<ref name=shell /><ref name=turnoff /><ref name=revamp /> On 29 October 2007 Radio Pacific became BSport and its tagline became "BSport, the station you can bet on". The general talkback format was replaced with a sports talkback format. [[MediaWorks New Zealand]] and Trackside shared the network's [[Auckland]] studios, with live sports talk and betting odds in the morning, and live races and betting odds in the afternoon.<ref name=notice>{{cite web|title=MediaWorks Notice|url=http://www.mediaworks.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=134&articleID=421|website=MediaWorks|publisher=[[MediaWorks New Zealand]]|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=21 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821232401/http://www.mediaworks.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=134&articleID=421|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2010 BSport was renamed LiveSport, the sister network to [[Radio Live]]. It became TAB Trackside Radio on 13 April 2015, when it came under the full ownership of the New Zealand Racing Board.<ref name=notice />

=== COVID-19, sale and buyback of radio frequencies === [[File:TAB Trackside Radio Logo 2015.png|thumb|right|This was the TAB Trackside logo in 2014.]] The radio simulcast on the AM and FM frequencies was suspended on 12 April 2020 due to the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand]], which saw all domestic horse and greyhound racing halted for several weeks. The simulcast of racing continued on the TAB website, TAB app and via third-party apps.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rita.org.nz/tab-suspends-fm-and-am-trackside-radio | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410233311/https://www.rita.org.nz/tab-suspends-fm-and-am-trackside-radio | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 April 2020 | title=TAB suspends FM and AM Trackside radio | website=www.rita.org.nz | publisher=Racing Industry Transition Agency | access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

The full-powered broadcast licences previously broadcasting TAB Trackside Radio were purchased by the Australian [[Sports Entertainment Network]] (SEN) in 2021, which began broadcasting a general sport format known as ''SENZ'', providing a continuous sports-talk format left open by the COVID-19-related closure of [[New Zealand Media and Entertainment|NZME]]'s [[Radio Sport]] the previous year.<ref>{{Cite episode | title = The Australian outfit rebooting 24/7 sport on the radio | url = https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch| access-date = {{date|2024-07-17}}| series = Mediawatch| first = Colin| last = Peacock| network = [[RNZ National]] ([[Radio New Zealand]]) | date = {{date|2021-05-30}} }}</ref>

However, following financial losses at the new station, a deal was reached in {{date|November 2023}} - also involving the TAB's then-new operating partner [[Entain]] - for the TAB to buy back the frequencies and SENZ station assets, with SEN continuing to make content available and to source advertising revenue for the network; the sale completed on {{date|2024-02-29}}.<ref>{{cite press release |author= |title=TAB New Zealand to acquire SENZ Digital & Audio from Sports Entertainment Network NZ |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/11/22/tab-new-zealand-to-acquire-senz-digital-and-audio-from-sports-entertainment/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414132928/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/11/22/tab-new-zealand-to-acquire-senz-digital-and-audio-from-sports-entertainment/ |archive-date={{date|2024-04-14}} |publisher=[[Sports Entertainment Network]] |date={{date|2023-11-22}} |access-date={{date|2024-07-17}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author= |title=Completion of sale of SENZ digital and audio business |url=https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02779659-3A637883&v=4015c7b87631faf94ecd96975272ff9ad5cb14c3 |publisher=Sports Entertainment Group Ltd ([[Sports Entertainment Network]]) |agency= |date={{date|2024-02-29}} |access-date={{date|2024-07-17}}}}</ref>

===Television===

Trackside began television broadcasting in 1992 as Action TV - a free-to-air UHF station that only broadcast during live racing events. In 1993, it changed its name to Trackside. From 1994, [[Sky Television (New Zealand)|Sky Television]] began using broadcasting [[Discovery Channel (Australia)|Discovery Channel]] to subscribers when Trackside was in closedown. The station received a dedicated channel on the new Sky Digital platform in 1999, which began broadcasting 18 hours a day from 2004 and 24 hours a day from 2007. In addition to live New Zealand racing, the channel introduced racing replay, preview and review shows, and live racing and racing shows from Australia. The channel began broadcasting in widescreen from 15 December 2008.<ref name=pressrelease1>{{Cite web|url=http://static.tab.co.nz/content/pdf_form/How%20to%20get%20the%20best%20picture.pdf|title=How to get the best of Trackside in widescreen |access-date=15 December 2008 |date=15 December 2008 |publisher=[[TAB TV|TAB]] }}</ref>

In October 2009, TAB introduced a second channel - TAB TV - to accommodate live racing from Hong Kong and Singapore. In December 2010, Trackside became available on the [[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]] terrestrial service. In October 2013 it changed the TVNZ metadata on the Freeview satellite service to unlock access to Trackside TV, keeping TAB TV as a pay-TV channel. On 14 April 2014, it ceased operations on Freeview, becoming only available to Sky subscribers. In August 2014, Trackside TV and TAB TV were relaunched as TAB Trackside 1 and TAB Trackside 2, extending racing coverage from all codes and enabling up to 5000 additional races to be broadcast each year that were previously not scheduled.<ref name=faq >{{cite web|title=Trackside on Sky|url=http://www.tab.co.nz/information/ip/trackside-on-sky-faq.html|website=TAB|publisher=[[New Zealand Racing Board]]|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref>

Trackside own and operate several outside broadcasting vans which tour the country to provide live coverage of races.

==Programmes==

===Weekdays===

* The Kick Off, the weekday breakfast show on Trackside Radio and Trackside 2, is hosted by Glen Larmer, a former [[Newstalk ZB]], [[Radio Sport]], [[TVNZ7]] and [[RadioLive]] presenter.<ref name="april2014"/><ref name="tabradio" /> Former hosts of the show include broadcaster Nathan Rarere (2007–2015),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/nathan-rarere |title=Nathan Rarere NZ On Screen |access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> cricket commentator [[Ian Smith (New Zealand cricketer)|Ian Smith]] (2007–2015),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.outspokenbyodd.co.nz/talent/nathan-rarere/ |title=Nathan Rarere Outspoken |access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> rugby commentator [[Jeff Wilson (sportsman)|Jeff Wilson]] (2013), former boxer [[Monty Betham]] (2014),<ref name="TVNZ_1505760">{{cite news |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/497100/1505760 |title=2008 celebs announced... |work=[[Television New Zealand]] |access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> and broadcasters [[Martin Devlin]] (2010–2012) and Brendan Telfer (2014–2015).<ref name="tabradio" /> * The Best of the Kick Off, the mid-morning show on Trackside Radio and Trackside 2, features highlights of the breakfast show. Former hosts of the show include [[The Crowd Goes Wild|James McOnie]] (2006–2007) and farmer and former [[All Black]] [[Richard Loe]] (2006–2015).<ref name="tabradio" /> * DogZone, a weekly [[greyhound racing]] show hosted by Elizabeth Whelan and greyhound commentator Peter Earley, airs on Tuesdays at 7pm on Trackside 1. It is.<ref name=tabtracksideshows>{{cite web|title=TAB Trackside shows|url=http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|website=tab.co.nz|publisher=TAB|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110002937/http://static.tab.co.nz/content/trackside/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Box Seat, a racing panel show hosted by Greg O'Connor with Craig "The Whale" Thompson and Michael Guerin, airs on Trackside 1 on Wednesdays at 8.30pm. Australian [[Sky Racing]] shows Inside Running, Formline, The Catching Pen, Bred To Win, In The Gig, Autumn Live and Australian Racing Retro are broadcast every week at various times.<ref name=tabtracksideshows /> * Live and repeated racing airs from 11am.<ref name=tabtracksideshows />

===Saturdays===

* The Two Halves is the Saturday breakfast show on Trackside Radio and Trackside 2. It is hosted by [[Jenny-May Coffin]] and focuses on [[rugby union]] and [[rugby league]]. She replaced The Fishing Show with Grant Blair, Terry Williams-King, John Eichlsheim and Bruce 'Swish' Duncan, which broadcast on the slot from 2005 to 2015. The Starting Gates, a Saturday morning scratching programme, is hosted by Alby Gain and Peter Earley.<ref name="tabradio" /> * On the Sideline, a Saturday morning show on Trackside Radio and Trackside 2, is hosted by TAB bookmakers [[Grant Nisbett]] and Mark Stafford.<ref name="tabradio" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/3928513/Grant-Nisbett-The-man-whos-calling-the-shots | title = Grant Nisbett: The man who's calling the shots | publisher = The Dominion Post | access-date = 16 October 2014}}</ref> * The First Call, a racing panel preview show, airs on Trackside 1 from 10am. It is hosted by Darryl Anderson and features Stu Laing and Aiden Rodley.<ref name=tabtracksideshows /> * Live and repeated racing airs from 11am.<ref name=tabtracksideshows />

===Sundays===

* Sunday Breakfast airs on Trackside Radio and Trackside 2. Dale Budge hosts the first two hours, the All American Sports Show covering American sports and While You Were Sleeping focusing on world sport. Ryan Bradley hosts the third hour of Sunday morning scratchings.<ref name="tabradio" /> Stephen McIvor previously hosted Sunday breakfast, including a one-hour trans-Tasman simulcast with [[1116 SEN]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.liveupdater.com/speakers/livearticle.asp?ArtID=1870926193 | title = Stephen McIvor | publisher = Speakers New Zealand | access-date = 16 October 2014}}</ref> * The World of Football is broadcast 9am Sunday mornings on Trackside Radio. It is hosted by Riccardo Ball and former [[Football Fern]] [[Rebecca Sowden]], and was previously hosted by coach and former [[All Whites|All White]] [[Wynton Rufer]].<ref name="tabradio" /><ref name="Herald">{{cite web | url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/a-league-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=523&objectid=283515 | title = Soccer: Rufer - simply the best we've had | publisher = The New Zealand Herald | date = 15 December 2001 | access-date = 11 May 2013 | first = Terry | last = Maddaford | archive-date = 5 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105174321/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/a-league-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=523&objectid=283515 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pngfootball.com.pg/News/ViewArticle/tabid/1386/Article/8cca66e6-d9a0-4778-84cf-2b9d57148830/language/en-US/Default.aspx | title = Wynton Rufer appointed PNG national coach | publisher = pngfootball.com.pg | access-date = 28 May 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141020111006/http://www.pngfootball.com.pg/News/ViewArticle/tabid/1386/Article/8cca66e6-d9a0-4778-84cf-2b9d57148830/language/en-US/Default.aspx | archive-date = 20 October 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Racing Talkback, a Sunday morning [[talkback radio]] programme hosted by Des Coppins, is broadcast from 10am Sunday mornings on Trackside Radio.<ref name="tabradio" /> * Weigh In, a Sunday morning racing programme, airs on Trackside 2 and is hosted by Karen-Fenton Ellis.<ref name=tabtracksideshows /> * Live and repeated racing coverage airs from 11am.<ref name=tabtracksideshows />

==Stations==

===Radio frequencies=== [[File:Map of TAB Trackside Radio frequencies.png|thumb|This is a map of TAB Trackside Radio frequencies.]] These were the frequencies at the time of the April 2020 service suspension:{{update inline|date=July 2024}} {{div col}} * [[Kaitaia]] - {{Frequency|92.4|FM}} * [[Bay of Islands]] - {{Frequency|94.4|FM}} * [[Kaikohe]] - {{Frequency|92.4|FM}} * [[Whangārei]] - {{Frequency|92.4|FM}} * [[Auckland]] - {{Frequency|1476|AM}} * [[Waikato]] - {{Frequency|954|AM}} * [[Tauranga]] - {{Frequency|873|AM}} * [[Rotorua]] - {{Frequency|1548|AM}} * [[Whakatāne]] - {{Frequency|96.1|FM}} * [[Taupō]] - {{Frequency|91.2|FM}} * [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]] - {{Frequency|1485|AM}} * [[Taranaki]] - {{Frequency|97.2|FM}} * [[Hawke's Bay Region|Hawke's Bay]] - {{Frequency|549|AM}} * [[Wanganui]]/[[Manawatū-Whanganui|Manawatu]] - {{Frequency|828|AM}} * [[Wairarapa]] - {{Frequency|91.1|FM}} * [[Kāpiti Coast]] - {{Frequency|93.5|FM}} * [[Wellington]] - {{Frequency|711|AM}} * [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] - {{Frequency|990|AM}} * [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]] - {{Frequency|93.3|FM}} * [[Greymouth, New Zealand|Greymouth]] - {{Frequency|93.9|FM}} * [[Hokitika]] - {{Frequency|89.1|FM}} * [[Christchurch]] - {{Frequency|1260|AM}} * [[Ashburton, New Zealand|Ashburton]] - {{Frequency|1071|AM}} * [[Timaru]] - {{Frequency|1242|AM}} * [[Oamaru]] - {{Frequency|89.6|FM}} * [[Dunedin]] - {{Frequency|1206|AM}} * [[Central Otago]] - {{Frequency|104.7|FM}} * [[Wānaka]] - {{Frequency|106.8|LPFM}} * [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]] - {{Frequency|93.6|FM}} * [[Invercargill, New Zealand|Invercargill]] - {{Frequency|1224|AM}} {{div col end}}

===Television channels===

Trackside 1 broadcasts racing from all codes, both domestic and international, alongside specialist shows.<ref name=tabtv /><ref name =faq /><ref name=pressrelease2>{{Cite web |url=http://static.tab.co.nz/content/pdf_form/How%20to%20get%20the%20best%20picture.pdf |title=How to get the best from Trackside in widescreen |access-date=15 December 2008 |date=15 December 2008 |publisher=[[TAB TV|TAB]] |archive-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724194353/http://static.tab.co.nz/content/pdf_form/How%20to%20get%20the%20best%20picture.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> TAB Trackside 2 broadcasts racing from all codes, alongside simulcasts of TAB Trackside Radio weekday mornings from 6am. In 2011, it live simulcast Fill the Basin, a February [[2011 Christchurch earthquake]] fundraiser [[cricket]] match, with [[Canterbury Television]]. The channels area available on the [[Sky Television (New Zealand)|Sky Television]] DHS encrypted satellite services (062 Trackside 1, 063 Trackside 2) and [[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]] terrestrial and streaming services (023 Trackside 1, 024 Trackside 2<ref name=tabtv />

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.trackside.co.nz/}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100905185302/http://www.lyngsat-address.com/tt/Trackside.html Trackside at LyngSat Address]}}

[[Category:Gambling in New Zealand]] [[Category:Television channels in New Zealand]] [[Category:Radio stations in New Zealand]] [[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1992]] [[Category:English-language television stations in New Zealand]]