Save My Sport
October 29th 2006 03:57
In recent weeks, Australia’s free-to-air television networks have launched a joint advertising campaign entitled “Save my Sport”. Essentially, we are told that our rights to watch live sport of free-to-air TV are under threat like never before. Anti-siphoning laws are designed to maintain a certain level of sport on free-to-air television. Essentially, the law lists a certain number of sporting events that should be televised free to the general public. So, at least we know (for the time being) that our Melbourne Cup barbecue won’t suddenly become a fair bit more expensive. But there are other issues here. The demise of Fox Footy is a serious concern for the AFL. As the only football code to have an exclusive pay TV network, it provided the League with great exposure in less traditional markets.
However, the free-to-air stations need to realise this is a two-way street. They need to redouble their commitment and effort to live sport if they are serious about winning this fight. Last year, 9 decided not to show the Ashes contest between Australia and England. Eventually, it was a ratings winner for SBS. That networks 9, 10 and 7 are now all campaigning to save “live” sport on free-to-air beggars belief when you consider how they’ve treated it when they have had it. Rugby League and Rugby Union are so often treated shabbily by those who broadcast it in Melbourne that it is not even worth mentioning; when Shane Warne took his record-breaking wicket a few years ago, 9 were showing an episode of The Price is Right instead; and 10 has a catalogue of misdemeanours relating to motor sport.
Ultimately, live sport should be on free-to-air for Australians’ to enjoy, but the networks broadcasting that sport need to know that it is a privilege (for them) – not a right. When they have the rights to a sport they should show it live, or on a reasonable delay in prime time.
However, the free-to-air stations need to realise this is a two-way street. They need to redouble their commitment and effort to live sport if they are serious about winning this fight. Last year, 9 decided not to show the Ashes contest between Australia and England. Eventually, it was a ratings winner for SBS. That networks 9, 10 and 7 are now all campaigning to save “live” sport on free-to-air beggars belief when you consider how they’ve treated it when they have had it. Rugby League and Rugby Union are so often treated shabbily by those who broadcast it in Melbourne that it is not even worth mentioning; when Shane Warne took his record-breaking wicket a few years ago, 9 were showing an episode of The Price is Right instead; and 10 has a catalogue of misdemeanours relating to motor sport.
Ultimately, live sport should be on free-to-air for Australians’ to enjoy, but the networks broadcasting that sport need to know that it is a privilege (for them) – not a right. When they have the rights to a sport they should show it live, or on a reasonable delay in prime time.
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