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The federal Government has set up a two-tiered anti-siphoning list giving free to air television networks greater scope to broadcast matches on their multi-channels.

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MARK COLVIN: Sports fans and couch-potatoes take note. The Federal Government has unveiled long-awaited changes to the television anti-siphoning list.

After intense lobby from media heavy weights, the Communications Minister, Steven Conroy says the new list ensures that key sporting events will continue to be broadcast on free television. Late this afternoon, Senator Conroy announced some additions to the list, including 20/20 cricket matches involving the Australian team.

Free-to-air channels will also get greater scope to air sporting matches on their digital channels.

From Canberra Samantha Hawley reports.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: It was a much awaited decision. And the pressure was on the Minister Steven Conroy to get the balance right. He thinks he has.

STEPHEN CONROY: Because we’ve always understood how important it is for Australians to watch sport on free-to-air television.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: As the Parliamentary year rapidly comes to an end, media magnets, free-to-air and pay television stations, sporting clubs and sporting fans were all waiting for this.

STEPHEN CONROY: Our most popular and iconic sports will remain available to all Australians. And the changes will allow free-to-air broadcasters to take advantage of digital multi-channels to show more sport and show it live.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The anti-siphoning list was first formed in 1994 when pay television was in its infancy and it expires at the end of December. It’s aim is to ensure that events of national importance and cultural significance remain freely available for all the public to watch.

The new list sees some new additions including the growlingly popular 20/20 cricket matches involving Australia. The Minister has announced there’ll also now be two tiers on the new anti-siphoning list: Tier A and Tier B.

STEPHEN CONROY: Tier A will comprise nationally iconic events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Bathurst 1000 and the State of Origin. As well of the finals of Australian tournaments like the rugby league and the AFL premierships.

Free-to-air broadcasters will be required to show these events live and in full on their main analogue and digital channel.

Tier B comprises events such as the regular games of the AFL and NRL premiership seasons shown on free-to-air and non-finals games of the Australian Open tennis. Free-to-air broadcasters will have the flexibility to televise these events on digital multi-channels.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: He says that will give TV stations the ability to broadcast NRL games live in Melbourne or AFL games live in Sydney. There will also be new requirements that sports on the anti-siphoning list are broadcast.

STEPHEN CONROY: Must show obligations on the free-to-air broadcasters. This will require them to televise the anti-siphoning listed events that they acquire.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: NRL and AFL games that are currently shown on pay television will be removed from the anti-siphoning list. Other matches including group games of the Rugby World Cup have also been dumped meaning pay TV companies can bid directly for those games.

The Minister again:

STEPHEN CONROY: For AFL and NRL the government intends to partially de-list competition round matches. Currently only four out of eight AFL matches are shown on free-to-air television and in the NRL only three out of eight.

The government will put in place mechanisms to protect the quality of the matches on free-to-air television as is the case now the AFL will continue to determine which games are broadcast on free-to-air, however the government will put in place a mechanism to protect the quality of games on free-to-air television, ensure that Friday and Saturday night games remain blockbuster games in the round and blockbusters like Anzac Day and Queen’s Birthday games will remain on free-to-air.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The changes will require parliamentary approval because the existing legislation needs to be changed. But that won’t happen until next year.

MARK COLVIN: Samantha Hawley.