The Television Games Network (TVG) announced today it has reached a multi-year agreement with Atlanta-based Cox Communications, Inc. to carry the 24-hour horseracing and interactive waging network. Cox initially will launch TVG Network on its San Diego cable television system in April."This is a significant step for TVG as we grow our network and our audience," said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of TVG. "Cox is one of the most highly regarded cable companies in the world and we are pleased to begin our association with them."This agreement also should spur additional growth to advance deposit wagering in California, which benefits our partner racetracks and their horsemen," Wilson said. "After an excellent year in 2002, we are pleased to kick off 2003 with this announcement.""TVG is a unique and innovative product that takes advantage of the broadband and live television space simultaneously," said Andy Albert, executive director of programming, Cox Communications, Inc. "TVG viewers in our San Diego system can maximize their Cox Digital Cable and Cox High Speed Internet service bundle to interact with cable programming in an exciting new way.""We are thrilled to announce this agreement with Cox and that they will bring TVG to many of their subscribers," said Ray Hopkins, executive vice president of the affiliate sales and marketing group for Gemstar-TV Guide International, TVG's parent company. "Throughout the country, cable operators and satellite providers are discovering that TVG is both excellent programming and an important revenue stream." In addition to California, TVG is available on cable systems in Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Louisiana and Oregon.
TVG ended 2002 with over 44,000 total wagering subscribers, a 219% increase over 2001, and over $159 million in total handle, a 251% increase over 2001. Much of that growth was attributable to the inception of advanced deposit wagering in California. TVG and its licensee, Youbet.com, processed 81% of the $152,062,376 wagered by California residents for the year.
