Telstra will broadcast the Melbourne Cup live over the Internet via their BigPond online content service. In the past the service has proved to be extremely popular.

BigPond will broadcast the 2009  Melbourne Cup live over the Internet. In the past the service has proved to be extremely popular.

BigPond will cover the races from Flemington including the running of the Melbourne Cup. Last year BigPond provided the first-ever live online coverage of the Melbourne Cup as part of its ‘video-on-demand’ trial of metropolitan Sydney and Melbourne racing. The coverage can be accessed via http://www.horseracing.bigpond.com/.

Last year, Telstra decided to broadcast the action from both Sydney and Victorian race meetings, including live streaming of The Victoria Derby, Melbourne Cup, Crown Oaks and Emirates Stakes to all broadband users. The trial was a big success.

Hosted on BigPond Sport, which is normally only available to BigPond Broadband subscribers, the extensive coverage gave Telstra an insight to live coverage TV.

At the time they said this will actually provide greater coverage than Free To Air television. Now the service is restricted to BigPond customers.

Last year In addition to the races, Telstra provided viewers with access to BigPond’s exclusive racing content including archives so you can see how your Melbourne Cup pick has run in lead up to the Cup and speciality racing shows such as ‘Early Mail’ and the ‘Black Bookers’.

‘BigPond even offers an “Online Sweep’ which will help make running your office or party sweep easier. It does not provide wagering facilities online though.

To access the service go to http://www.horseracing.bigpond.com/