People familiar with the talks said Telstra was seeking to secure new-media rights - covering Internet and mobile phone content - to allow it to webcast horseraces, reports The Australian.
Telstra is also understood to be negotiating sponsorship of thoroughbred racing as part of a deal to supply telecommunications networks to the racing industry.
"Telstra has been trying to cut a deal for horseracing with the TABs for years," one insider said.
But now talks are goingn on in earnest involving three of Telstra's most senior executives - Gerry Sutton from Telstra Media, David Moffatt, head of consumer and marketing, and David Thodey, head of business and government.
It is understood Telstra would sponsor thoroughbred racing, and as part of that deal gain new-media rights and telecommunications contracts.
TVN was formed earlier this year by the horseracing industry to leverage its blue chip cards in Melbourne and Sydney and increase the $9 million a year it was being paid for TV rights by Sky.
TVN is a joint venture that holds the broadcast rights for the Victorian racing clubs, the Australian Jockey Club and the Sydney Turf Club.
