TVG expands in California

Television Games Network will be broadcast live on two Southern California television channels for two hours a day on most racing days for the next two years under an agreement the company reached with the stations, TVG officials said on Tuesday.

The simulcast agreement will allow Southern California racing fans to watch TVG programming - including live races from Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Oak Tree at Santa Anita - on Fox Sports West and Fox Sports West 2 beginning with the opening of the Hollywood Park meet on April 24, TVG said. Fox Sports West reaches five million households, TVG said, and Fox Sports West 2 reaches four million.

The agreement does not include the winter meet at Santa Anita, which is owned by Magna Entertainment. Magna and TVG have been battling for four months in Southern California for market share after the two companies were unable to reach a deal on broadcast rights.

Fox Sports is owned by the News Corp., which owns a 47 percent stake in TVG's parent company, Gemstar-TV Guide. TVG is currently available in California over Adelphia cable systems in parts of Los Angeles and over the Dish Network satellite service.