Channel 10’s 2023 Melbourne Cup coverage is criticized by racing fans: ‘Since when is Eddie McGuire a racing expert?’
- Final year of Channel 10’s deal to host Cup Day
- Some changes have been made to their coverage
- Not all changes are well accepted
Channel 10 has made a number of changes with its television coverage of the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and not all of them have been a hit with viewers at home.
The network had to break the bank to secure the rights to the gem in the Spring Racing Carnival, spending $100 million to win the Melbourne Cup from rival network Channel Seven from 2019.
Channel 10 has the rights to the Cup, Derby, Oaks and Stakes days at Flemington under a five-year deal that expires after the 2023 event.
Channel Nine will acquire the rights to broadcast the Melbourne Cup Carnival from 2024 and beyond, with Channel Seven pulling out of the competition.
And Channel 10’s hopes of keeping the big race day could be affected this year by fans’ reactions to some strange decisions.
Eddie McGuire, pictured with champion jockey Glen Boss and the Melbourne Cup, was a curious addition to the guest panel
Race fans have complained about Channel 10 using jockeycam during the most exciting part of the race
Chief among those decisions was hiring Eddie McGuire as host.
“Since when is Eddie McGuire a racing expert?” one viewer raged on social media.
’10Play has found a way to make their cup broadcast unreadable. Two words: Eddie McGuire,” another posted.
McGuire is better known for his AFL reporting, working for many years as a commentator and host of the now defunct AFL Footy Show.
Fans today also made the decision to use ‘Jockey Cam’ from race four at Flemington, with several viewers saying it ruined the spectacle.
When the horses reach the two furlong posts for the final push towards home, the network switches to cameras mounted on the jockeys themselves.
This deprives viewers of the tense finish as close runners pass the final pole, leading many to take to social media to complain.
”If they think the jockey cam is illuminating on cup day at Flemington, they should try a driver cam in the final at Wagga tonight #Trots!!!’ one angry viewer posted.
‘At a party in the pub. Channel 10 coverage. My God, how sad. 200 meters further and they switch to jockeycam! FFS,” another posted.
‘Please NEVER give us the jockey cam during a sprint race again.’