Griffith residents will notice a few channels missing when they turn on their TVs in the new financial year. Photo: nicoletaionescu.
Griffith residents will no longer be able to watch AFL, international cricket or popular shows such as Home and Away on free-to-air TV, as the Seven Network signal will stop broadcasting into homes in this area from 1 July.
While the Seven Network does not have a physical presence in this town, the WIN TV network previously had an arrangement with Seven to broadcast its channels 7, 7mate and 7two into Griffith and parts of South Australia, but this has not been renewed.
This network has the exclusive free-to-air rights to broadcast events such as Test cricket, the Big Bash and the AFL season, and top-rating shows such as Australian Idol, The Farmer Wants a Wife and Gilmore Girls.
The only way to watch such content in Griffith after July will be through its streaming service 7plus, which requires residents to have a smart TV (one that is integrated with the internet) or to plug their laptop into the TV using an HDMI cord if they have a stable home Wi-Fi connection.
“It’s a sporting broadcasting disgrace,” Griffith-based sports fan Carl Chirgwin said.
“Everyone will have to pay, but not everyone can afford it.
“What about all the grandparents out there? I know heaps of people who don’t have a smart TV. It’s horrible for grassroots sport and all the juniors out there. They’re going to lose supporters of their sport because kids won’t be able to see it.”
In a statement, WIN Network CEO Andrew Lancaster said Seven Network owner Seven West Media had made the decision not to renew the agreement.
“While we are disappointed with Seven West Media’s decision, we respect their right to pursue their own commercial strategies,” he said.
“WIN remains committed to serving our regional audiences with a strong local presence and programming.”
Viewers won’t be able to watch Griffith’s Abby Favell playing in the AFLW on free TV. Photo: Arj Giese/Geelong Cats Media.
The decision comes exactly one year after the WIN Network decided to pull the plug on its Sky News coverage in Griffith and parts of South Australia. Until 30 June, 2024, residents in these areas could watch the likes of Erin Molan and Andrew Bolt beam into their living rooms on free-to-air Channel 53, but now need to pay for a subscription to see these shows.
A spokesperson for the Seven West Media network said it remained open to further negotiations.
“Seven is disappointed it has not been able to reach an agreement with WIN to broadcast Seven’s content in the Riverland and Griffith,” the spokesperson said.
“The communities living in the Riverland and Griffith are incredibly important to Seven and pleasingly, they will continue to have access to all of our content, including the AFL and cricket, via our live and free streaming platform, 7plus.”
The WIN network said that no jobs are expected to be lost as a result of the changes in South Australia and Griffith, with local operations and staff remaining in place to support WIN’s ongoing regional broadcast commitments.
“WIN continues to evolve as Australia’s largest regional television network,” Mr Lancaster said.
“We remain focused on delivering high-quality content, regional news, and regional advertising solutions across our footprint.”
