Embarrassed Aussies miss Melbourne Cup because they watched wrong TV channel, Ten's coverage slammed

Embarrassed Aussies own up to missing the Melbourne Cup because they were watching the wrong TV channel - as punters slam Ten’s coverage

Countless Australian racing fans missed the staging of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday as they were watching live coverage on the wrong free to air TV channel.

Channel 10, whose coverage was widely panned, broadcast the action at Flemington in Melbourne from 10am - including the race that stops a nation - won by $19 chance Gold Trip over 3200 metres.

Rival station Channel 7 also had racing rights from 12pm - but it was only the card from Royal Randwick in Sydney.

It left countless racing enthusiasts confused - and many failed to tune in when Mark Zahra saluted ahead of Emissary and High Emocean. 

Many fed-up punters then took to Twitter to voice their frustration.

Jockey Mark Zahra was elated after winning the Melbourne Cup on board Gold Trip - however, his sporting moment was missed by many

Both Channel 10 and Channel 7 broadcast racing on Tuesday, with some punters missing the race that stops a nation (pictured, a racegoer at Flemington)

'Poor coverage for 2022 Melbourne Cup...the race nobody got to watch!!! Missed the whole thing,' one tweeted. 

'(For me) Channel 7 just was worried about NSW Racing.'

Another spoke for many when he stated 'I wonder how many people tried to watch the Melbourne Cup on Channel 7...'

A third was furious after missing the gala sporting moment.

'Had Channel 7 on all day as there was racing on 7 too,' he said. 'Didn’t realise the Melbourne Cup was on Channel 10 until the race was over.'

Television rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival were with Channel 7 dating back to 2002 - before Channel 10 secured a a five-year contract in 2019 until next year.

One punter spoke for many when he asked how many people tried watching the Melbourne Cup on Channel 7, who only screened racing from Randwick

This fed up fan labelled the coverage 'p*** poor' and felt Channel 7's focus was purely racing in NSW, not the Melbourne Cup

Was I the only person who missed the Melbourne Cup because I was watching Channel 7? They were showing racing... I just assumed they were showing the main race!

— Sarah Wiley (@SarahWiley8) November 1, 2022

Never felt so stupid in my life. ��

Had channel 7 on all day as there is racing on 7 too.

Didn’t realise the Melbourne cup was on Channel 10 until the trace was over.

I thought the Melbourne cup stops the nation? Why are there other races on in Australia? ��

— JR. (@JR_24X) November 1, 2022

Adding to the confusion was prominent Channel 9 identity Eddie McGuire anchoring the rolling coverage on rival network Ten.

He is renowned for hosting Channel 9’s Millionaire Hot Seat and AFL's Footy Classified.

McGuire was later embroiled in a bizarre on-air conversation with actor Rob Mills, which was seemingly aired by accident.

UK viewers tuning in via Sky Sports Racing clearly heard McGuire tell co-hosts Mills and Tara Rushton they were 'on fire' before the veteran TV host crudely stated 'if Millsy keeps standing up the sun will shine. We know where the sun shines from.'

It followed Mills asking McGuire how long he felt the rain would hold off trackside. 

Thursday, November 3 is Oaks Day at Flemington, with coverage again on Channel 10.