Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sports World |
| SIS and Turf TV to move closer together Posted: 02 Dec 2010 06:56 AM PST The news that principle betting industry media content supplier SIS has approached arch rival TurfTV about the possibility of supplying the 'new kid on the block' with a wide range of audio, video and data services, suggests that the current economic climate is beginning to hit home even amongst those that have long appeared to avoid all direct content with each other, writes Elliot Slater. The two companies have been at daggers drawn ever since TurfTV emerged on the scene in 2007 and managed to prise a significant number of SIS's clients and business away from the long established horse racing content provider. Both firms now have teams of people transmitting betting shows from the track, and both firms have separate sets of data presentation to customers that means in many cases betting shops have to pay two sets of bills. With racing tips betting shop owners squealing about the rising costs allied to the falling number of people actually coming through the door, and the very difficult trading conditions that have been impacted by the general economic downturn, it looks as though common sense may well be about to prevail and that the two rivals may undergo some degree of merger to reduce overheads and keep costs down to a minimum. Whilst stressing to horse racing Ireland that both firms would remain independent entities, David Holgate, SIS chief executive, explained that the offer to TurfTV was more by way of wishing to protect the interests of customers than to be a money making ruse for his firm. It should be remembered that much of the stock in SIS is owned by major high street firms who have been squeezed by the additional costs resulting from the emergence of TurfTV. 'Rationalisation' would seem to be the core of this suggestion, a reducing of costs and doubtless manpower that will help balance the books of both firms. It will be very interesting to see if TurfTV choose to accept the hand of friendship that has been offered them.  |
| Balotelli continues to stand out off the field rather than on it Posted: 02 Dec 2010 03:57 AM PST Mario Balotelli has to date shown Manchester City fans a few glimpses of just why the Eastlands outfit decided to spend £24 million on him, but he has so far been in the headlines for rumours surrounding him off the pitch, rather than for his performances on it. With speculation refusing to die down that Balotelli is only using Manchester City as a learning curve before he returns to Italy, with the best odds suggesting he might be lined up to play for AC Milan, the player has done little to quash these rumours. As City currently appear to need unity and devotion to the cause more than anything else, this kind of attitude is hardly likely to endear Balotelli to either his team mates or trophy-hungry fans of the club. This situation has been made worse by the fact that Balotelli was seen shivering and giving a half-hearted performance against a Stoke side which embody all the characteristics that Manchester City are trying to develop. Even though Manchester City may have failed to walk away from that encounter with all three points, they can be hopeful that these dropped points can be compensated for in the long term if players such as Balotelli learn from the experience of playing against a side which contains players clearly prepared to do anything for the team's cause. With the season starting to reach that crucial festive period, and City just about in the hunt for the title, now is the time for Manchester City and Balotelli in particular to start making the headlines for their performances on the pitch, rather than what may or may not be going on away from the field of play. If Manchester City are to pull off a shock and win the title this season (and you can get some decent prices on that happening if you compare odds carefully), then they are going to need to start showing a sense of mature team unity sooner rather than later.  |
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