Channel 7-WIN TV dispute leaves station off air in South Australia and NSW
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Channel 7 programming has gone off the air in parts of South Australia and New South Wales this morning in what could amount to a breach of licence conditions for WIN Television, a federal MP says.
This follows WIN and Seven West Media failing to reach an agreement for 7, 7mate and 7two to broadcast into South Australia's South East and Riverland, as well as Griffith in the Riverina, New South Wales, from July 1.
The WIN TV free-to-air channel now says "Channel 7 programming is no longer available" for thousands of residents across these regions.
Federal Barker MP Tony Pasin, who gathered more than 1,700 signatures on an online petition calling on Seven West Media to continue its contractual agreement with WIN TV, said anti-siphoning legislation required TV channel owners to broadcast sporting events like AFL finals, the Bathurst 1000 Supercars race and Test cricket free-to-air.
They could be in breach of their licence conditions and have their licence removed if the events were not shown on TV, Mr Pasin said, particularly blaming WIN for the impasse.
"Specifically, that legislation said streaming services, even free streaming services, don't amount to free-to-air because the Commonwealth government understands, of course, that we don't have universal internet coverage across the country," he said.
A spokesperson for WIN TV said it did "not own rights to any listed events, therefore there is no obligation to the WIN Network to broadcast them".
Seven West Media chief executive Jeff Howard said the network had not turned off its signal but was continuing to provide content to WIN TV that it was now not sharing with viewers.
"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," Mr Howard said.
"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."
"Unless they're really up with that sort of thing [streaming], they mostly wouldn't even try. It would be just too hard for them," he said.
"If there's any particular programs on 7 that they like watching and might be passionate about, then they just won't be able to watch them."
Riverland Crows Supporters Group president Peter Marks said watching AFL on free-to-air was good for members' mental health.
"They look so much forward to it every week and to be without it leaves them lonely and distressed," he said.
"I just think that [WIN Network and Channel 7] have to be aware that they're providing a big service to us and, if that's suddenly gone, where do we go?"
He is calling on the AFL to step in.
"I'd like to see what their stance is on it and that they understand what the issue is and the pain people are going through," Mr Marks said.
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
Jobe Stewart lives in Mount Gambier and competes in the Super2 series, as well as co-driving in the Bathurst 1000 for Erebus Motorsport.
While acknowledging many fans watched on paid streaming services, the 21-year-old said free-to-air broadcasts were important for children to gain an interest in the sport.
"I think that's very important," he said.
"Whatever a kid wants to do — whether it's football, motorsport, whatever — I think the passion is going to come from a very young age, so it's very important to build profiles for the drivers so young kids can look on the TV or whatever and find out about the drivers and what they might want to be when they grow up."
"Our Auskick numbers are at record levels with 180-odd kids; for that generation to not have access to watch the sport at all unless they're streaming it, is potentially fairly impactful for us," he said.
"A city the size of Griffith with our population base, limiting us for news and sport and things is certainly concerning."
Griffith City Council Mayor Doug Curran said there had been a withdrawal of local news coverage in Griffith after the announcement of a weekend-only edition of the Area News.
"We seem to be going backwards in terms of media coverage ... It's certainly not going to enhance our region," he said.
By Eugene Boisvert, Shannon Pearce and Jess Scully
This follows WIN and Seven West Media failing to reach an agreement for 7, 7mate and 7two to broadcast into South Australia's South East and Riverland, as well as Griffith in the Riverina, New South Wales, from July 1.
The WIN TV free-to-air channel now says "Channel 7 programming is no longer available" for thousands of residents across these regions.
Federal Barker MP Tony Pasin, who gathered more than 1,700 signatures on an online petition calling on Seven West Media to continue its contractual agreement with WIN TV, said anti-siphoning legislation required TV channel owners to broadcast sporting events like AFL finals, the Bathurst 1000 Supercars race and Test cricket free-to-air.
They could be in breach of their licence conditions and have their licence removed if the events were not shown on TV, Mr Pasin said, particularly blaming WIN for the impasse.
Peter Marks says he feels sorry for older fans who'll struggle to access the AFL without free-to-air. (ABC Riverland: Shannon Pearce)
"Specifically, that legislation said streaming services, even free streaming services, don't amount to free-to-air because the Commonwealth government understands, of course, that we don't have universal internet coverage across the country," he said.
A spokesperson for WIN TV said it did "not own rights to any listed events, therefore there is no obligation to the WIN Network to broadcast them".
Seven West Media chief executive Jeff Howard said the network had not turned off its signal but was continuing to provide content to WIN TV that it was now not sharing with viewers.
"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," Mr Howard said.
"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."
A graphic that appeared on Seven Network channels this morning. (ABC South East SA: Eugene Boisvert)
Shows will be missed
Berri Senior Citizens Club president John Fewster said many elderly members would miss Channel 7 content."Unless they're really up with that sort of thing [streaming], they mostly wouldn't even try. It would be just too hard for them," he said.
"If there's any particular programs on 7 that they like watching and might be passionate about, then they just won't be able to watch them."
"They look so much forward to it every week and to be without it leaves them lonely and distressed," he said.
"I just think that [WIN Network and Channel 7] have to be aware that they're providing a big service to us and, if that's suddenly gone, where do we go?"
He is calling on the AFL to step in.
Barker MP Tony Pasin says some constituents do not have access to the internet to use streaming services. (ABC South East SA: Eugene Boisvert)
"I'd like to see what their stance is on it and that they understand what the issue is and the pain people are going through," Mr Marks said.
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
Jobe Stewart lives in Mount Gambier and competes in the Super2 series, as well as co-driving in the Bathurst 1000 for Erebus Motorsport.
"I think that's very important," he said.
"Whatever a kid wants to do — whether it's football, motorsport, whatever — I think the passion is going to come from a very young age, so it's very important to build profiles for the drivers so young kids can look on the TV or whatever and find out about the drivers and what they might want to be when they grow up."
The removal of Channel 7 from the WIN Network will mean some regional residents will lose access to the AFL. (ABC Riverland: Shannon Pearce)
Reduced services
Griffith Swans Football Club treasurer Jeff Harris said the loss of some free-to-air sport would impact the club's ability to grow."Our Auskick numbers are at record levels with 180-odd kids; for that generation to not have access to watch the sport at all unless they're streaming it, is potentially fairly impactful for us," he said.
"A city the size of Griffith with our population base, limiting us for news and sport and things is certainly concerning."
Griffith City Council Mayor Doug Curran said there had been a withdrawal of local news coverage in Griffith after the announcement of a weekend-only edition of the Area News.
"We seem to be going backwards in terms of media coverage ... It's certainly not going to enhance our region," he said.
By Eugene Boisvert, Shannon Pearce and Jess Scully
