TVG?

[Sailor Kenshin]

Anyone here have it? What'cha think of its coverage?

Does it spend time on the sport or is it mostly about the betting aspect?

So far we've been limited to what's on the OTB channel, with its sometimes-teeny split screen coverage. I guess the Breeder's Cup coverage spoiled me.

[docjocoy]

I think many of us here have tvg or it's cousin hrtv. They both promote the betting aspect but offer a lot of info about the sport if you can stand to wade through their betting promotions. Both channels have their detractors and admirers. TVG is based in California and has a heavy Calif bias, which I like because I race in CA, but others obviously don't.
Those 2 channels are pretty much it for race coverage. Unfortunately live special race coverage on regular network TV has dwindled down to the Triple Crown races and the Breeders Cup.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Never heard of HRTV---where would I look for it?

Thanks for the tip.

[docjocoy]

http://www.hrtv.com/

[Tbird]

I have both. HRTV has more horse-related material in my opinion. They have regular programming about specific horses, trainers, jockeys, and even some other-than-racing horse stuff such as a recent story about a 100-mile annual event in California which was very interesting.

[diomed]

You can get both channels in DISH Network's basic programming.

[tbrace]

hrtv has much more sophisticated announcers. With the exception of a couple of people, Frank M. and the trainers, tvg has way too much giggly school boy stuff.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks---all good to know.

[toadie]

I actually like the "giggly school boy stuff" on TVG. Becasue there's no internet betting in Tx. I'm mostly watching for the entertainment value as a fan. I do DVR a lot of the non-racing programs on HRTV and one thing I like about them over TVG is post parades. With very little exception they show the sire and dam of every horse when they show a post parade. TVG usually only does that when it's a 2yr old race. Much to the S O's chagrin, one or the other is almost always on when I'm home

[Bedouwia]

I have both of them with Dish. I prefer HRTV for two reasons, one being their good coverage of international racing. I also like the special coverage like tomorrow night the dressage from Germany. You can find good things on both however.

Bedouwia

[bdw0617]

While i'm a hardcore HRTV guy, I find myself watching alot more TVG...I watch so much racing you start to pick up on quirks that just rub you the wrong way. HRTV's program day is extremely cluttered. they waste so much time with pointless/useless graphics, they spend 1-2 minutes posting graphics of winners and the next horse when they can squeeze in a post parade, you are lucky to get a post parade anywhere by the time golden gate starts lol. Compound on that they will spend 8 minutes talking about HOY while not showing a post parade, that's enough to make me livid.

I still prefer HRTV for various reasons (Shut up crystal lol) but TVG isn't bad Plus they do Japanese racing the right way and I love JRA racing.


Also, their feeds are like 5x clearer. You watch their AQU feed then HRTV's AQU feed, not the graphics but the actual feed, it's a night and day difference.

[Aug27]

I have Dish, so watch both TVG and HRTV regularly. I prefer HRTV, mainly for Aaron Vercruse (longshot handicapping) and Millie Ball (eye candy). Jeff Siegel knows horses, but is a chalkie. On TVG, Bob Baedecker is the best handicapper ... and it's not even close. Frank Lyons does know pedigree, but he's always biased toward UK-based horses and connections.
Tom Amoss is a great trainer, but a horrible handicapper IMO. But, at least he is tolerable to listen to in comparison with their normal crew (Ken, Todd, Matt, etc).
HRTV has Gary Stevens, and that's hard to stomach sometimes, with his "me first" ego ...
The harness covereage is much better on TVG, with Gary Seibel and Dave B, if you like that sort of thing. Also, TVG's video is markedly better, for some reason. And, they have the interactive thing (with program and results) which is nice.
Still, bottom line, I prefer HRTV, as a (mostly) longshot bettor.

[Sysonby]

I have both through Dish but I find myself watching the live feed through Calracing for a California race. For one thing, you see the entire paddock and post parade footage. But mainly there is no dumb chatter. HRTV is mildly better in this regard than TVG and the guy who named Mute Rudulph had a point.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Harness? Did you say harness?

*falls over*

[Tappiano]

I don't know what to say about a show where someone is asked to make picks solely based on staring at a tv monitor and gauging how a horse looks in the paddock ... it's not called "my pretty pony" but maybe it should be. I would hope that HRTV does not do that!