Media mogul Craig Hutchison dumps RSN presenters Michael Felgate and Daniel Harford as takeover begins
The news was actually announced on Wednesday but Hutchison, the chief executive of SEN, told RSN listeners about the changes on Thursday when he was appearing on Felgate's Racing Pulse show.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Craig Hutchison confirms changes to RSN.
'I've got to start with the elephant in the room,' Felgate said in his interview with Hutchison.
'An announcement yesterday came out that there will be programming changes. Breakfast with Harf and this show Racing Pulse will no longer exist under the new regime.
'Just talk us through, what's the reasoning (behind that)?' Felgate asked.
Earlier this month (on July 8), Victoria Racing announced that the Sports Entertainment Network had purchased the Racing & Sport Network (RSN) as part of a 'new strategic partnership'.
In the deal worth around $3.25 million, SEN will now become the sole audio broadcaster of racing in Victoria across all three codes (thoroughbred, harness and greyhound).
Hutchison said on Thursday that decision to drop former Hawthorn star Daniel Harford and Felgate was 'nothing personal'.
'They're both magnificent shows, so no disrespect at all to the quality of the programming and to the identities involved, you in particular Michael (Felgate) and also Daniel, who have been incredible servants to RSN,' Hutchison told listeners.
'There's nothing personal about (cancelling) either of those programs (Breakfast with Harf or Racing Pulse) … we need to invest, over time, into the racing product, it's a racing station.
'It's a different audience to the one that we have developed over on SEN Track, very different audience, very different experience, they don't really resemble each other after midday.
'I know that won't be everyone's cup of tea on day one. The default position from many will be to have empathy for those programs and I respect that hugely.
'It's not about the quality of the shows. We're going to be investing in racing … we want to invest in content.'
Hutchison confirmed that some SEN shows would now simulcast on RSN, including the popular Fireball where AFL experts Kane Cornes and David King thrash out footy's hot topics on a Monday and a Friday.
The SEN Breakfast show with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson will also be heard on RSN from Tuesday to Thursday. And Giddy Up host Gareth Hall — who was on RSN — will now be back on those airwaves.
Hutchison also said he would 'love' to keep working with Felgate and Harford in some capacity and hinted that Felgate had some 'bigger and broader' opportunities in racing that he was considering.
'This network is 100 years old, it's got an incredible history in Melbourne, it's been a part of the beat of the city for a long time,' Hutchison said.
'It served racing especially well, I think Saturdays are just an unbelievable part of the Melbourne way of life here at RSN.
'There's also a regional network that is tremendous in its distribution, frequencies and signals. Those towns are an opportunity to invest in, to put resources in and to put people in and be a deeper part of country racing in Victoria.
'We intend to invest in those areas and we want to be a regional business as much as a metro business.
'We will do more racing in breakfast and in the mornings. Long term, even earlier presents a lot of opportunity.
'You've got a lot of industry up at 5-5.30 in the morning who are at track work or who are on the road or who are travelling around the state, so edging even earlier into the morning in the state is a long term, and potentially short term, opportunity.
'The legacy of this place is a huge responsibility ongoing, and our job is to preserve it, protect it and enhance it. So we will absolutely be investing in the racing coverage.
'We're going to be in racing long term. My word: we're in racing for the long haul.'
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Media mogul Craig Hutchison is ringing in the changes for his newly acquired asset, RSN, revealing in a live radio slot that the network's long-serving presenters Daniel Harford and Michael Felgate will be dumped. The news was actually announced on Wednesday but Hutchison, the chief executive of SEN, told RSN listeners about the changes on Thursday when he was appearing on Felgate's Racing Pulse show. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Craig Hutchison confirms changes to RSN. 'I've got to start with the elephant in the room,' Felgate said in his interview with Hutchison. 'An announcement yesterday came out that there will be programming changes. Breakfast with Harf and this show Racing Pulse will no longer exist under the new regime. 'Just talk us through, what's the reasoning (behind that)?' Felgate asked. Earlier this month (on July 8), Victoria Racing announced that the Sports Entertainment Network had purchased the Racing & Sport Network (RSN) as part of a 'new strategic partnership'. In the deal worth around $3.25 million, SEN will now become the sole audio broadcaster of racing in Victoria across all three codes (thoroughbred, harness and greyhound). Hutchison said on Thursday that decision to drop former Hawthorn star Daniel Harford and Felgate was 'nothing personal'. 'They're both magnificent shows, so no disrespect at all to the quality of the programming and to the identities involved, you in particular Michael (Felgate) and also Daniel, who have been incredible servants to RSN,' Hutchison told listeners. 'There's nothing personal about (cancelling) either of those programs (Breakfast with Harf or Racing Pulse) … we need to invest, over time, into the racing product, it's a racing station. 'It's a different audience to the one that we have developed over on SEN Track, very different audience, very different experience, they don't really resemble each other after midday. 'I know that won't be everyone's cup of tea on day one. The default position from many will be to have empathy for those programs and I respect that hugely. 'It's not about the quality of the shows. We're going to be investing in racing … we want to invest in content.' Hutchison confirmed that some SEN shows would now simulcast on RSN, including the popular Fireball where AFL experts Kane Cornes and David King thrash out footy's hot topics on a Monday and a Friday. The SEN Breakfast show with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson will also be heard on RSN from Tuesday to Thursday. And Giddy Up host Gareth Hall — who was on RSN — will now be back on those airwaves. Hutchison also said he would 'love' to keep working with Felgate and Harford in some capacity and hinted that Felgate had some 'bigger and broader' opportunities in racing that he was considering. 'This network is 100 years old, it's got an incredible history in Melbourne, it's been a part of the beat of the city for a long time,' Hutchison said. 'It served racing especially well, I think Saturdays are just an unbelievable part of the Melbourne way of life here at RSN. 'There's also a regional network that is tremendous in its distribution, frequencies and signals. Those towns are an opportunity to invest in, to put resources in and to put people in and be a deeper part of country racing in Victoria. 'We intend to invest in those areas and we want to be a regional business as much as a metro business. 'We will do more racing in breakfast and in the mornings. Long term, even earlier presents a lot of opportunity. 'You've got a lot of industry up at 5-5.30 in the morning who are at track work or who are on the road or who are travelling around the state, so edging even earlier into the morning in the state is a long term, and potentially short term, opportunity. 'The legacy of this place is a huge responsibility ongoing, and our job is to preserve it, protect it and enhance it. So we will absolutely be investing in the racing coverage. 'We're going to be in racing long term. My word: we're in racing for the long haul.'
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