Gravity Media Celebrates 25 Years At Melbourne Cup Carnival

Gravity Media is celebrating 25 years of facilitating the host broadcast of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, debuting JockeyCam and Orbit Fusion for 2026 and delivering unilateral services for Nine for the third consecutive year.

Working alongside long-time partner the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the company will deliver more than 30 hours of live coverage across four racedays, from Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 31 October to TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 7 November.

JockeyCam offers viewers a stabilised, first-person view from the jockey's perspective, placing them in the heart of the field at full speed. Orbit Fusion provides true super slow-motion from a compact wireless camera, opening up positions around the track where high-frame-rate systems were previously impractical or unsafe. Both technologies are being introduced to the Carnival's coverage this year.

With audience expectations continuing to evolve, the refreshed perspectives and slow-motion replays aim to keep the broadcast engaging for new and returning fans alike.

These enhancements build on the direct partnership formed in 2024 between Gravity Media and the VRC, enabling joint development of the production and supporting continued investment. Under this arrangement, the VRC retains creative control and delivery of the broadcast, while Gravity Media facilitates it end to end.

Last year's Carnival reached a total TV audience of 5.8 million. Channel 9's Lexus Melbourne Cup coverage drew 2,079,000 viewers, up 8.8% year on year. The VRC's social channels amassed 36 million video views, up 63%, and the on-course attendance of 286,746 was the highest since 2018.

This year's operation is among Gravity Media's largest, using 48 cameras and two outside broadcast trucks for the host production—one for the host feed and another for the VRC's international output. For Nine, Gravity Media is supplying 12 cameras and its newest OB unit, UHD 11, supporting the network's studio in its Birdcage marquee.

In Australia, the host feed will be available on Channel 9, 9Now, Sky Racing, Racing.com and vrc.com.au. Internationally, it will be carried by Sky Sports Racing in the UK, Fox Sports in the US, CBC Gem and CBC Sports' YouTube in Canada, and TVNZ 1 in New Zealand. The VRC's international broadcast is distributed to more than 220 territories worldwide.

Marcus Doherty, Account Executive, Media Services & Facilities at Gravity Media in Australia, said: "Marking 25 years delivering the Melbourne Cup Carnival host broadcast is a significant milestone for Gravity Media, and reflects the depth of experience our team has built at Flemington. Since forming our direct partnership with the VRC in 2024, we've shared the same ambition to keep evolving the coverage, and JockeyCam and Orbit Fusion are a direct result of that collaboration. Together with VRC and Nine, we're continuing to find new ways to bring fans closer to the action."

Kylie Rogers, CEO of the Victoria Racing Club, added: "The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of Australia's most iconic sporting and cultural events, and delivering a broadcast that matches its significance is critical. Gravity Media has been a trusted partner in bringing the Carnival to life for audiences worldwide, and together we have continued to evolve how fans experience our racing, both on course and at home. We are also delighted to continue our partnership with Nine for a third year, and can't wait for this year's Carnival to reach more Australians than ever before."

The announcement has also been highlighted by industry outlet Content + Technology.

www.gravitymedia.com/en-uk/