Govt defers changes to Anti-Siphoning List
Current list continues while the Govt undertakes a review of sports broadcasting.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News, Top Stories
The current anti-siphoning list has been renewwed for a period of three years with no material changes to the previous list, while the government undertakes a review.
The current anti-siphoning list was set to expire on 1 April 2023, after its original sunsetting date of 1 April 2021 was deferred by the Morrison Government during the pandemic. But the former Government never commenced a review to address the risk of key events going behind the paywalls of subscription services.
The Albanese Government initiated a review in October 2022, with the key theme being the growing coverage of sporting events online and the potential extension of the scheme to streaming services, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said, “Every Australian deserves the chance to enjoy live and free coverage of events of national significance, regardless of where they live or what they earn.
“The Albanese Government recognises the need for events of national importance and cultural significance to remain free of charge and accessible to the Australian public, as well as the need for certainty around the list while the review of the anti-siphoning scheme is undertaken in 2023.
“Last year, I stated that next steps in the review would be informed by the initial consultation process. It’s clear that stakeholders want and expect there to be further consultation on any specific reform proposals, so I’ll announce a further consultation round later this year.
“Review of the anti-siphoning scheme is a priority for the Government in 2023 and is being progressed as part of a broader package of reforms to support a strong and vibrant media sector.”
The Government undertake further consultation on specific reform proposals mid-year.
4 Responses
Another form of protectionsim. Then it will be 2026 deferred to 2029 then 2032 you can see where this going.
While Albo was talking about a review which he claimed was needed to protect sport for ordinary Australians, The NRL, AFL, CA and TA and IOC signed multi-billion dollar contracts that run into the 2030s for FTA and streaming rights. Nothing the ALP claimed would come to pass without them, did. The Southern States get less FTA AFL games on Saturdays, but more on Thursdays nights when the games rate betters, was the only change. I like the claim that a Dragons v Knights round robin match is of national significance and must be saved from the evil clutches of Netflix. Fans in the North, East or West of Sydney don’t even care much about it. If Nine passes on it again it will be on Foxtel in Southern Sydney and Newcastle pubs or available for streaming.
My main beef is the fact that the NRL and AFL Grand Finals are only live on FTA and delayed to Foxtel ,is this due to the amount FTA pays or the anti-siphoning rule in place ,I don’t know how much either group paid in terms of the contracts either.
And the AFL Grand Final you can’t even stream (until the new deal comes in I assume) – you have to get it via terrestrial FTA signal only. That was really annoying while out and about on the day last year.