Large areas of regional NSW and South Australia have lost live sports coverage after WIN Network cut off transmissions from the Seven Network.
The WIN TV free-to-air channel now says “Channel 7 programming is no longer available” for thousands of residents.
This comes after the two networks failed to reach an agreement for 7, 7mate and 7two to broadcast by July 1.
Labor minister Clare O’Neil and the government finds it very concerning.
“I don’t think we’ve had a bigger footy fan in the Lodge than Anthony Albanese so I know this is really going to worry him,” she told Sunrise.
“I know our fantastic communications Minister Annika Wells has asked the parties to work together and also is talking to her regulator about whether there’s any regulatory action that can be taken here.
“So, the government is concerned about that. We want footy to flow freely across the country… the government is working with Networks to try to resolve this.”
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said free-to-air TV for football, cricket and netball needs to be able to be seen by everyday Australians.
“This is our cultural practice, particularly in the regions – it’s our bread-and-butter,” she said.
“Now, government regulation has meant that it’s increasingly difficult for free-to-air TV to operate and be sustainable. The Government needs to get involved, not ‘Annika, sit ‘em down for a little chat’.
“These are commercial entities having to make commercial decisions because the environment they’re operating in isn’t financially sustainable – so that’s what needs to be fixed because we want to watch our sport in the regions.”
Seven says it has been unable to reach a mutually acceptable commercial agreement with the WIN Network to provide access to Seven via aerial transmission in Riverland, Griffith and Mount Gambier.
“Seven has not turned off our signal. We continue to provide our content to WIN for broadcast into these markets and WIN has made the decision to switch off the Seven signal to these communities,” said CEO Jeff Howard.
“While we are disappointed WIN has made this decision, these communities are important to us and they can access Seven’s news, sport and entertainment content live, free and on demand on 7plus.
“In the meantime, Seven is seeking the assistance of the federal government and the Australian Communications and Media Authority to help resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
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