We had such an incredible time at the Free TV Showcase: ‘Shaping a Nation’ at Parliament House. This event brought together industry leaders, parliamentarians, and our star-studded cast of network talent – led by Ally Langdon (@ACurrentAffair9, @Channel9), Matt Shirvington (@sunriseon7, @Channel7) and Julia Morris (@ImACelebrityAU, @Channel10AU) who hosted the evening’s proceedings.
A huge thank you to our hosts and featured network talent – including @SevenNetwork’s Michael Usher, Johanna Griggs, and Karina Carvalho; @Ninecomau’s James Bracey, Sylvia Jeffreys, Scotty Cam, and Tara Brown; @ParamountANZ Sandra Sully and Andy Allen; @WINNews_ACT’s Caitlyn Chalmers; and FootballAUS’s Michelle Heyman, for championing the industry and reminding us of how free TV brings Australian families together.
This is next level grovelling. It’s sickening.
I agree, the only things they produce these days that are Australian (other than Game Shows, Most Sports and News) is basically Reality TV Slop. No wonder people are switching to the global platforms. Maybe we should change Australian Content quotas to not count Reality TV as Australian Content and a minimum amount of Dramas and Children’s Content and tell them to adapt to the new reality if they want their taxes removed.
Maybe have a hybrid system where they would provide a basic free service complete with sport featured in the Anti Siphoning list and all that, but for extra content such as the multi channels it would be locked behind a paywall where viewers would pay a small monthly fee to access them would be a good way to raise money to produce more Australian Content. The technology for OTA Pay TV using the DVB-T system is already there and being used in some countries.
Amazon Deal Proves Anti-Siphoning Warnings Were Right
Free TV’s Parliamentary Showcase concerns validated as streaming giant secures exclusive cricket rights
Free TV Australia says today’s announcement that Amazon Prime Video has secured exclusive rights to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup proves the warnings raised at this week’s Parliamentary Showcase were spot on.
Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said the deal underlines the urgent need for the Government to fast-track updates to the anti-siphoning rules to protect Australians’ access to live and free sport.
“Just three days after we told parliamentarians that streaming giants pose a real threat to universal free sport access for all Australians, Amazon has proven our point by securing exclusive rights to another major cricket tournament,” Ms Fair said.
"Amazon says it will be making this tournament available for free, but we all know with Amazon there’s no such thing. Only a tiny minority of Australians are currently Amazon Prime subscribers. This is just a means to grow their subscriber base, acquire user data and upsell. This deal shows how quickly our major sporting events can be snapped up by global streaming platforms that have no obligation to provide universal access.
"The need to close the digital loophole in the anti-siphoning list is more urgent than ever. Global streaming companies are coming for our beloved national sports. We all know how this scenario plays out – offer the event for free until the competition is knocked out and then make everybody pay. Ultimately, Australians will be forced to pay to watch their national teams compete.
"This latest acquisition highlights a critical gap in the current anti-siphoning list – it only covers world cup cricket tournaments played in Australia or New Zealand, but not elsewhere. Our national team should be accessible to all Australians regardless of where they’re playing.
“With families already struggling with cost-of-living pressures, we cannot allow access to our great sporting moments to depend on which subscription services Australians can afford. The anti-siphoning rules must be updated to ensure free access whether Australians choose to watch on broadcast television or free BVOD services.”
Ms Fair said the timing of the announcement, just days after Free TV’s Parliamentary Showcase, demonstrated why the industry had invested in educating policymakers about these risks.
“Tuesday’s showcase brought together network executives, on-air talent and political leaders to highlight how free television serves all Australians – including live and free sport that brings Australians together, no matter their post code or pay packet. This Amazon deal is exactly the scenario we warned about – and why urgent action is needed to protect free sport for future generations.”
Media release received this morning.
Reference to info from 2 days ago:
Sorry, industry protection like this is very mafia like, a big fat NO!
This isn’t a new deal tho right? Amazon got rights to ALL ICC events until 2027. So why are they making it seem like a new rights deal that was just announced?
A very common occurrence in this country.
These two paragraphs could equally apply to (and be said for) Nine and Paramount purchasing sports rights only to make them mostly or entirely available via Stan Sport or Paramount+.
Why didn’t the FTA networks bid to show the ICC Women’s World Cup 2023 then?
(Kayo and Fox Sports eventually picked up the rights)
Not sure I believe in all this, but im certainly not a fan of current legislation.
It would be a tad easier to be more supportive of their cause if two of their members didn’t also operate significant streaming platforms as well.
A FTA network owning or being closely affiliated with a subscription streaming service shouldn’t be able to gain an additional benefit over the rest of the market - if the answer is restricting streaming rights (and I’m unconvinced it is), it also has to apply to the likes of Stan and Paramount+
FTA shouldn’t also be able to roadblock rights deal negotiations by only doing a deal that requires rights to both FTA and Subscription streaming; both elements should have to stand alone.
FTA should also be made to treat the sports they have with some respect too - Seven’s constant need to require channel changes and their complete inability be able to provide a single consistent stream for each day’s play via 7plus for the cricket tour of Sri Lanka was particularly poor form. Don’t trumpet the value of having free sport, but then treat the viewers like mugs while you play stupid games in the chase for ratings.
Which will happen this week when 10/P+ puts yet another Socceroos game behind the paywall - yes, it’s only a friendly, but drawing a line as to what national team content counts or not starts to become dangerous. We’ve already seen this with the cricket.
A case of Nine and Ten having cake and eating it too! Does not pass the so-called pub test when it comes to the spin from Free TV. Not there is any mention in their various blubs about some member’s paid streaming services?
Should they change their name to FSSTV (Free + Subscription Stream TV) or go back to being FACTS?
If the regional stations were around, bring back Regional Television Australia and Australian Television Facilities. 
wasn’t sure of the best thread
Stumbled across this rather brilliant analytical article from Fairfax 20 years ago, makes for fascinating reading today, on key demos back then and compare it to those today including the shows then to now:
Ping: @TV.Cynic