Geelong Games Pay TV Threat

Rob McLennan / October 11 2022

Free TV coverage of the world’s biggest sporting events could be at risk, as rules governing sports broadcasting in Australia are set to expire within months.

Anti-seizure laws prevent some major television events from being “hijacked” by pay-TV companies.

The current agreement will cease to operate in April 2023, leaving sporting events ranging from the NFL Final to the Olympics at risk of falling behind the walls of pay-TV.

Without a new agreement, Geelong’s television exposure during the 2026 Victorian Commonwealth Regional Games could also be severely restricted.

The federal government says the anti-dismissal scheme, and the list of designated protected programs, is outdated and does not take into account the age of digital broadcasting.

It says many Australians will not be able to access important programming features such as news, sports and popular events if they are allowed to be swallowed up by streaming and pay-to-access platforms.

Events currently listed under anti-siphon laws include the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, the AFL and NRL Grand Finals, the Melbourne Cup, most cricket matches involving Australia, the Australian Open tennis, and the F1 Australian Grand Prix.

Photo: nicolas j leclercq (@unplash)

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Originally published at Melbourne News Vine