Top-level resignations rock racing channel TVN John Hartigan. RACING channel TVN is in turmoil following the withdrawal of the candidature of chairman-elect John Hartigan, the former News Ltd chief, and the subsequent resignation of the interim chairman Bill Lenehan, a former Channel 10 Executive. TVN's chief executive, Peter Sweeney, also finishes this month. It is understood the TVN board will endeavour to change Hartigan's mind.In his letter of resignation Hartigan mentions mistrust at board level and he also hints strongly at interference. "The level of mistrust at a board level is something that has manifested itself in a shareholders agreement which has shackled the business and caused it to be unable to properly exploit the commercial opportunities on a day to day basis," he wrote. He adds later: " (I) feel any real growth won't be realised until the board modifies the shareholder agreement to allow an incoming chief executive and the executive team to be free of burdens of being tied in knots by a dysfunctional board." TVN is half-owned by the Australian Turf Club in Sydney; the three Melbourne metropolitan race clubs own the other half. The regulatory bodies of both states, Racing Victoria and Racing NSW, have both been given board positions to represent the provincial and country rights in their states, which have been signed over to the channel. Neither regulatory body has equity in TVN but they have tacit control in that they control racing's purse strings. NSW's board members are Racing NSW chairman John Messara and chief executive Peter V'landys, ATC boss Darren Pearce and Laurie Macri, an ATC board member. The Victorians are Peter Fekete (VRC board), Mike Symons (Melbourne Racing Club chairman), Bernard Saundry (Racing Victoria chief) and Bob Scarborough (Moonee Valley chairman). There has been a lot of discussion about the deal done with Channel 7 to telecast Sydney and Melbourne races for extended periods throughout the year and whether the previous chairman and chief executive of TVN had the right to approve the deal. A breach notice has been issued. There was a suggestion last night that this notice would be withdrawn. It's understood Seven was paid about $2 million by TVN to provide the free-to-air telecasts.