Richie Callander at the races.
BIG Richie Callander, the most recognised and colourful of TVN’s presenters, said staff were in the dark and concerned about their futures as the demise of the racing channel moves closer.
“We’re the same as everyone — we’ve got no idea what’s going on,’’ he said.
The NSW and Victorian shareholders of TVN agreed they would dissolve the TVN board on Thursday at a meeting in Sydney.
Staff will be paid entitlements in full, but jobs — including those of some familiar presenters — are certain to disappear.
TVN personality Richie Callander recently participated in the 4Tracks4Kids charity walk alongside other racing, sport and television identities.
“I’ve sort of given up worrying about it. I’m a lot better than I was for the last month — what will be will be,’’ Callander said.
“But we’ve all got families and mortgages. I think the Melbourne guys might be sweeter than those of us up in Sydney, but I guess it all comes down to what decisions are made from now on. It’s not just the on-air people. The whole production comes out of Sydney.’’
A date when the racing channel will go off the air has yet to be announced.
Bruce Mann, CEO of TVN.
Sydney’s Australian Turf Club owns 50 per cent of TVN, while the other half is split between the three Melbourne race clubs and Country Racing Victoria.
Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry described the issue as a “work in progress”.
“We have just agreed to continue to work toward an amicable solution where each state has agreed to manage its own media rights,” Saundry said. “The discussions are ongoing and they are amicable.”
Both states are in talks with Tabcorp-owned Sky Channel, plus Channel 7.
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