In a first for TVG, the interactive horseracing network's Kentucky Derby preview show, "The Works," will be available on Free Video on demand via TV Guide SPOT for digital customers on Insight Communications cable systems in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.Airing from April 29 through May 4, "The Works" provides an in-depth look into the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contenders. Broadcast live from Churchill Downs, the 60-minute program broadcasts morning workouts of all the Derby and Oaks contenders, as well as interviews with the horse's trainer, jockey and owner as they prepare to compete against Thoroughbred racing's top sophomores.Anchoring coverage from Louisville are Todd Schrupp, Frank Lyons, Tom
Amoss and three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens. Insight digital cable customers wishing to access "The Works" on-demand can do so by going to TV Guide SPOT and selecting the "Watch This" category. Shows will be available the day after they air live on TVG, and can be viewed through May 6, the date of the 132nd Kentucky Derby. "This is a major breakthrough for TVG," said David Nathanson, TVG's general manager. "'The Works' is the first destination for the latest information on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks and we are thrilled that our partners at Insight are joining with us and TV Guide SPOT to make the show available to on demand viewers.""The Derby is a great event and a wonderful tradition, especially in our Districts. We are excited to offer our customers this unique on demand content in partnership with TVG and TV Guide," said Melani Griffith, vice president-programming, Insight Communications.TVG also announced Monday that it was launching the launch of a new and improved version of its Web site at www.tvg.com. The new TVG.com contains a redesigned homepage, providing access for customers to establish a TVG account, place wagers, and use unique features including:
--TVG Wager Rewards, an Advanced Deposit Wagering affinity program available to all TVG accountholders;
--Free handicapping information including speed, class and power ratings from TrackMaster, a feature exclusive to TVG.com;
--Free picks, Pick 3 and Pick 4 selections from TVG¹s stable of television analysts and racing experts;
--My TVG Stable, a free new service that allows customers to receive personalized entry alerts and results by e-mail for any horse, jockey, trainer, or owner;
--Live video streaming from TVG¹s portfolio of tracks, including the ability to view racing from two tracks at once;
--TVG television programming descriptions and schedules; and
--Up-to-the-minute odds, results, will-pay and pool information.
"TVG.com has been a vital component of TVG's success in ADW and it played a valuable role in making us the leading ADW provider in the United States," said Nathanson said. "The new and improved website gives us the opportunity to build on that success by offering best of breed products and services for racing fans. The launch of this product is the first of several initiatives that we will be introducing to optimize the experience of bringing home the action of horseracing via TVG¹s multiple wagering platforms."
