Great war of China

As the Olympics draw to a close, Nine and Seven have been in a media war over interviews with our athletes, especially the swimming team.

Behind the scenes there were tense discussions between the two networks and the Australian Olympic Committee about access to the athletes. Nine convinced the athletes that because they were being filmed outside an Olympic venue they were not bound by any restrictions.

Channel Nine filmed a 60 Minutes special yesterday, hosted by Michael Usher. It will air this Sunday.

But Channel Seven boss Kerry Stokes was upset that his $100 million investment in broadcasting the Games was being undermined by Channel Nine, claims the Sydney Morning Herald.

It is understood Channel Seven applied pressure on the swim team not to participate in Nine’s plans as it is in the midst of securing the Australian rights to cover Australian Swimming competitions for the next few years. However, most of the swimmers were involved in the 60 Minutes filming.

This morning Seven is filming its own forum with Australian medallists to air on Today Tonight. The network is also planning another show featuring the entire Australian swim team.

“This is unprecedented, the level of desperation, the underhandedness and ugliness that went on,” a source said.

Other superstars of the Beijing Games, 100m silver medallist hurdler Sally McLellan and gold medallist triathlete Emma Snowsill, were convinced not to appear by being paid around $10,000 in exclusive interview deals by Channel Seven.

The athletes were keen to do the 60 Minutes show to raise their profiles and give their sports some prime-time coverage. The athletes said they were not paid to participate in the 60 Minutes show, but some of the athletes involved such as Libby Trickett have existing deals with Channel Nine and were contractually obliged to take part.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Rice is signing a two-year deal of around $800,000 with Channel Seven.

Source: SMH