Senator Stephen Conroy announces interim anti-siphoning list until changes are fully implemented (Source: The Age)
The government yesterday announced an interim anti-siphoning list, which will ensure the continued operation of the anti-siphoning scheme.
Reforms to the original anti-siphoning list were unveiled last month, ahead of its expiry on December 31. However, until such time as these changes are fully implemented, the interim list will continue to protect sport on free-to-air television.
It’s welcomed news for viewers, who are currently enjoying their summer of sporting events, including The Ashes test-cricket series, and the Australia Open tennis tournament in January.
“The making of the interim list forms part of the Government’s broad agenda to strengthen and modernise the anti-siphoning scheme,” said Senator Stephen Conroy, the communications minister.
Meanwhile, the government is continuing talks with industry stakeholders in a bid to finalise elements of the reform model.
Among those elements will be a mechanism to protect the quality of AFL games on free-to-air television, which will be agreed independently with the television network.
It will ensure Friday and Saturday night games are able to be purchased by free-to-air, and that these feature the two best games of each round, as selected by the AFL. South Australian and Western Australian viewers are also guaranteed home state matches will screen on free-to-air. Anzac Day and Queen’s Brithday games will also be averliable on free-to-air.
A similar quality-assurance mechanism will be established with Australian Rugby League’s newly-formed Independent Commission for weekly NRL fixtures.
“Free TV shares the Government’s determination to ensure that the best games of AFL and NRL rounds remain available to all Australians,” said Julie Flynn, Free TV Australia‘s chief executive.
Until these measures are in place, games will remain listed events, preventing their acquisition by pay television licence holders before free-to-air broadcasters approve otherwise.
“We also look forward to the early introduction into the Parliament of legislation to allow free-to-air listed sports on multi-channels,” Flynn added.
Details on these quality guarantees will be announced early next year, along with legislation to amend the anti-siphoning scheme will be introduced into parliament.
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