I hope this is for the better. As a Directv subscriber, I haven’t had access to HRTV. I’m hoping TVG will retain some of the independant horse programming HRTV shows besides racing.
[QUOTE=Real Rush;8017558]
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90213/tvg-acquiring-hrtv-operations-to-merge?&utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150219
I hope this is for the better. As a Directv subscriber, I haven’t had access to HRTV. I’m hoping TVG will retain some of the independant horse programming HRTV shows besides racing.[/QUOTE]
JMHO, it is for the better. As I understand it, TVG is buying their competitor but will keep the HRTV label. You know you are doing something right when a competitor buys you out and keeps your name.
Interestingly enough, over the past few years many of the original TVG commentators and analysts (the sane ones IMO) has gravitated to HRTV. Personally, I think TVG, for the most part, has a bunch of clowns on air.
I get both via DISH and I watch HRTV 90% of the time. I can’t even remember the names of the TVG commentators now because I watch so infrequently but it carries a few tracks (that HRTV doesn’t) like Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Tampa that I’m interested in. HRTV and TVG both carry NYRA and CA etc. HRTV carries DE Park and the MD tracks.
thanks for the information. I noticed that Churchill Downs wasn’t mentioned. Who will carry the pre Derby races as NBC certainly not?
[QUOTE=Larksmom;8017732]
thanks for the information. I noticed that Churchill Downs wasn’t mentioned. Who will carry the pre Derby races as NBC certainly not?[/QUOTE]
NBC Sports usually does that. HRTV has Pursuit of the Crown.
Churchill has been carried by HRTV. Fairgrounds also.
I agree the on-air talents on TVG are pretty crappy, but when it’s all you’ve got to get your racing “fix”… sigh. I sincerely hope they keep Pincay through the transition, though. I know they can’t keep everyone in a merger, but keeping fingers crossed they make smart decisions on who stays and who goes.
I may be presuming too much about a merger, however. Haven’t seen any info either way, but I hope HRTV will replace the channel spot currently occupied by TVG. Anyone know for sure?
[QUOTE=Real Rush;8017880]
I agree the on-air talents on TVG are pretty crappy, but when it’s all you’ve got to get your racing “fix”… sigh. I sincerely hope they keep Pincay through the transition, though. I know they can’t keep everyone in a merger, but keeping fingers crossed they make smart decisions on who stays and who goes.
I may be presuming too much about a merger, however. Haven’t seen any info either way, but I hope HRTV will replace the channel spot currently occupied by TVG. Anyone know for sure?[/QUOTE]
I sincerely hope that they keep Pincay too.
I hope they keep the HRTV staff and dump the current TVG staff. Laffitt Pincay, Jr is the best. The guy really knows his stuff. Scott Hazelton and all the HRTV “cuties” know what they speak of also.
The nice thing about HRTV is that when horseracing isn’t on, something horsey is. No paid advertising shows.
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8018342]
I hope they keep the HRTV staff and dump the current TVG staff. Laffitt Pincay, Jr is the best. The guy really knows his stuff. Scott Hazelton and all the HRTV “cuties” know what they speak of also.
The nice thing about HRTV is that when horseracing isn’t on, something horsey is. No paid advertising shows.[/QUOTE]
I find the channels to be a bit redundant, but LOFF Pincay!!! Really crushing on him. Selena Gomez (her real name eludes me at the moment) is one of the better commentators.
I hope they retool HRTV’s “Horse Flicks.” They have been running the same old programs for years and years. I really hope they come up with some interesting horse stuff in addition to racing.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8019013]
I find the channels to be a bit redundant, but LOFF Pincay!!! Really crushing on him.[/QUOTE]
LOL. Who isn’t? 
I totally agree about the on air commentaries on TVG, they need some serious revamping to include relevant details like bloolines, breeder etc.
[QUOTE=Real Rush;8017880]
I agree the on-air talents on TVG are pretty crappy, but when it’s all you’ve got to get your racing “fix”… sigh. I sincerely hope they keep Pincay through the transition, though. I know they can’t keep everyone in a merger, but keeping fingers crossed they make smart decisions on who stays and who goes.
I may be presuming too much about a merger, however. Haven’t seen any info either way, but I hope HRTV will replace the channel spot currently occupied by TVG. Anyone know for sure?[/QUOTE]
I have come to love everyone on HRTV.
Goofballs Jeff and Aaron, lovable Peter Lurie, Selana (aka Christina Blacker), Laffit, Scott, I’d be heartbroken to see any of them go, but I will absolutely lose it if Zoe Cadman leaves.
The TVG analysts have become a group of condescending jerks IMO, the only one I like is Gino and he is a shoddy handicapper.
I usually prefer TVG, sorry. Gino is adorable & has a youthful exhuberance even if he sometimes calls certain equipment by the wrong names.
Christina seems cold to me. I don’t love that she said on an interview that more than being a horse person she wanted to get into television. Aaron creeps me for some reason. But, Millie is great.
Laffit & Gary are knowledgeable besides good eye candy (forget which station each is with.).
TVG has more harness racing, too.
Glad I’m not the only one creeped out by Aaron :). Now that it sounds like they are planning to keep both channels, I am excited about the merger.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8019013]
I find the channels to be a bit redundant, but LOFF Pincay!!! Really crushing on him. Selena Gomez (her real name eludes me at the moment) is one of the better commentators.[/QUOTE]
Christina Blacker (nee Olivares). She is absolutely outstanding.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;8019478]
Christina seems cold to me. I don’t love that she said on an interview that more than being a horse person she wanted to get into television. [/QUOTE]
I’m curious by your offense to her desire to be in TV (which I am taking at face value as true). She was born into the business, and wanted to do something a little different with her life, while still giving back to the industry. Why is that a negative? She graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and entertainment communications. She obviously had goals, so what’s the issue? Honest question; no offense intended; just puzzled.
[QUOTE=Beaver Breeze;8020296]
I’m curious by your offense to her desire to be in TV (which I am taking at face value as true). She was born into the business, and wanted to do something a little different with her life, while still giving back to the industry. Why is that a negative? She graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and entertainment communications. She obviously had goals, so what’s the issue? Honest question; no offense intended; just puzzled.[/QUOTE]
Ditto, I was sure I was going to make a living in horses, but after a few years of horses 24/7 all day all weather, I decided that I would be happier working at a different occupation and having horses on the side. I really like Christina, I think she does a great job even though she makes little kids cry when they ask for an autograph and she has to tell them that she is not Selena Gomez.
Please do not harangue me for this. This is just my opinion. I prefer commentators that were or are active horseman. I find the way she presents things rather dry. Tell me what you like and I will try to watch for it and appreciate it.
Being a good horseman and a good handicapper are not one and the same. I know great horsemen who can’t bet worth a lick, and bad horsemen, or people who are not really horsemen at all, who can cash bets pretty consistently.
[QUOTE=Flash44;8020758]
Being a good horseman and a good handicapper are not one and the same. I know great horsemen who can’t bet worth a lick, and bad horsemen, or people who are not really horsemen at all, who can cash bets pretty consistently.[/QUOTE]
What a disparaging thing to say about good horsemen.:eek: In the racing industry bad and marginal horsemen can’t be good handicappers, but good horsemen understand what they are reading in a condition book and that is handicapping IMHO at its very best for those who do it well.
