The Changing Television Landscape

A Notion by Super Opinion

The television landscape in this country is changing rapidly, with the digital switchover, media ownership laws and National Broadband Network influencing the future of the media in this country. Today Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy released the long awaited revisions to the anti-siphoning list controlling the division of sport between free to air broadcasters and pay television for the next five years.

The release has been a long time coming, with discussions between the various sporting bodies, pay TV and free TV lobbies all arguing for a list that benefits them. Senator Conroy’s announcement today acknowledged the length of the negotiations and the fact that they continue even after the announcement, with the need for consideration of the revised anti-siphoning list by the various sporting associations.

Today’s changes had been generally expected – with recognition of the multi-channel free to air environment through the implementation of a two tiered list: with A-level listed sports required to be broadcast on the primary digital and analogue channels live and in full; and B-level sports being allowed to be broadcast on the digital multi-channels.

There have been some sports that have been removed from the list altogether, such as some AFL, NRL and Rugby Union matches; and others which have been added, such as Twenty20 Cricket with Australian teams. Senator Conroy last night spoke of the need to seek balance between the interests of the Pay TV and Free TV industries whilst maintaining the benefit to the general public – a balance taken into account in deciding which sports would remain on the list.

Senator Conroy has said that the interests of sport fans were at the heart of these changes and that “allowing broadcasters to use digital multi-channels will see a dramatic increase in the total coverage of sport and give flexibility for broadcasters to show more events live”.

The effect of the ability to broadcast more sports on the digital only channels will be seen as a blow to Pay TV providers who would prefer such broadcasting be opened to them rather than remaining protected for the Free TV networks. The benefit to the Ten Network is especially significant given its Free to Air 24 hour Sports Channel One HD – but there is no doubt that the Nine and Seven Networks will seek to utilise their digital channels where sports’ popularity varies across different markets.

You can view the Minister’s announcement here and download the new anti-siphoning list here.