Sports Minister calls for more coverage of women’s sport

Federal Sports Minister Kate Lundy has told the inaugural Asia Pacific world sport and women conference in Melbourne that networks need to showcase more women’s sport.

“Why is it, once the Olympic and Paralympics are switched off, that gender stereotypes are switched back on our TV sets?” she said on Monday.

“I am continually perplexed as to why the ratings received during those big international events, like the Olympic and Paralympics, do not inform and ultimately change the mind of our broadcast and corporate decision makers in their editorial decision on our coverage.

“Women’s sport needs sponsors to earn revenue to grow,” she said.

“Sponsors don’t come without exposure, without an opportunity to broadcast there is no exposure. Thus no sponsors and no increased revenue.”

She said the key was broadcasters experiencing a change in editorial decision-making to invest and develop content.

Last month FOX Sports announced it would air Live coverage of Netball Australia’s international season, after TEN opted not to continue its association.

In August the ABC came under fire for cutting coverage of two women’s national leagues, the WNBL and the W-League.

Source: Herald Sun