I’ll say it a little louder so those at the back can hear…
The loophole that Free TV Australia (and Warburton in that article) wants closed does not preclude the overseas streamers from acquiring rights - it’s about extending the provisions of the anti-syphoning list so that FTA can’t be sidelined from the process.
As it stands, the AFL (or another sport that is on the list) could sell their whole package of rights to say Amazon Prime (other streamers are available) and directly exclude FTA from any deal.
Its pure-and-simple rent-seeking from the FTA networks and peak industry body
EDIT: It’s worth noting, from my reading of the rules, that you don’t need to be an overseas streamer to do this either. An Australian-based streamer could do exactly the same, the current list only applies to licenced broadcasters - you don’t need a broadcast licence to operate a streaming service in Australia (yet).
Another example of FTA refusing to be competitive and instead needing to be carried through every challenge.
This wouldn’t even disqualify P+ from going after the AFL would it? Since obviously P+ and 10 would be going in together, it’s no different to what 7/Foxtel already do?
A bit rich from channel 7 consideration they signed a cricket deal which sees them hold rights for the ODIs which allows Fox to bypass the anti siphoning list for their exclusive coverage.
Fancy Warburton having the gall to complain about the likes of Paramount and Amazon bidding when they can’t even get their own streamer and relies on Fox which is also American-owned. If he really wanted the AFL exclusively then he should be working on a SVOD platform that’s viable and popular.
If the anti-siphoning rules stay the way they are, couldn’t Foxtel eventually go streaming only, just so they can give up their licence, avoid the anti-siphoning rules and buy all the rights, maybe with some token Kayo Freebies (or equivalent) available to placate the sports governing bodies (assuming they survive that long).
Do we know if the “secret lunch” Nick Tabkoff in today’s The Australian talks of between Bob Bakish and Gil McLachlan is separate from the meeting Paramount Global had with the AFL a month or so ago in New York?
Not the first time breaking off a timeslot has been talked about. They could sell it to 10/Paramount or Amazon. But I doubt it this time round. Would be a brave move by AFL.