The Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) has today announced the sale of its industry-owned audio broadcaster Racing & Sport Network (RSN) to Sports Entertainment Group (SEG, operating as Sports Entertainment Network - SEN) as a part of a new strategic partnership.
The long-term agreement secures the audio broadcasting future of both the VRI and RSN, the century-old radio station which will continue as a seven-day-a-week racing broadcaster for years to come.
A highly respected sports broadcasting company, SEN have reaffirmed their support for the VRI and its product with this new partnership set to expand their coverage and promotion of racing.
Upon completion, SEN will assume management and operational delivery of RSN which will continue to broadcast alongside SEN’s current racing audio broadcaster, SEN Track.
In securing the purchase, SEN has committed to live broadcasts, discussion and form analysis of Victorian thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing remaining at the heart of RSN’s coverage.
RSN will continue to showcase racing and sport around its core raceday coverage and remain a platform that delivers news and insights on Victorian racing for punters, owners and industry participants.
The parties expect to formally satisfy completion of the transaction on 1 September 2025.
Whilst the type of content on RSN will remain similar, SEN has advised that it may make some changes to RSN programming with further updates to be provided in due course.
With the knowledge that the future of racing’s audio broadcasting in Victoria is secured, the sale of RSN provides the VRI with a financial return on its media asset as well as ongoing efficiencies to fuel investment in each code of racing.
In executing the sale, the VRI also takes comfort in the knowledge that SEN has the ambition and capability to enhance the RSN broadcast which will help to foster further engagement in racing.
VRI spokesman, Aaron Morrison, said, “We welcome the opportunity to partner with SEN who see a strong future for the three codes of racing in Victoria and are investing to help us realise that.
“SEN stood out for the VRI as an on-going commercial partner and appropriate next owner of RSN because of their expertise, capabilities, distribution network and their desire to grow audiences for racing.
“This long-term agreement preserves the rich heritage of RSN and the audio broadcast of VRI races that RSN listeners value, while providing opportunities for new and innovative content on the station.
“It is essential that the three codes of Victorian racing remain easily accessible and are showcased to people across Victoria and beyond, which RSN will continue to do for years to come.
“The VRI was keen to explore a strategic partnership for RSN with the economics of running a standalone station challenged by recent conditions in the wagering, sponsorship and advertising markets.
“The sale of RSN provides the three codes with an opportunity to redirect our annual operating costs back into our codes to help support core initiatives around prizemoney, infrastructure, integrity and welfare.
“We take this important step safe in the knowledge that the audio broadcasting future of the VRI is secure for the foreseeable future.”