Griffith residents will no longer have access to free-to-air AFL or cricket without using a streaming service. Photo: File.
Griffith has become the only local government area in NSW with no free-to-air AFL or Big Bash coverage, as Channel 7 and the WIN Network have been unable to reach an agreement.
Before the turnoff, the WIN Network was in agreement with Channel 7 to showcase several of the latter’s premier programming. Shows including Home and Away, Australian Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife, were broadcast via the WIN Network, despite being owned by Channel 7, due to the lack of presence by Seven in the Griffith region.
The previous deal between the networks allowed Channel 7 and its secondary channels 7Two and 7Mate to be shown via the WIN Network. However, after talks between the two networks for a new deal fell apart, Channel 7 will no longer have a free-to-air presence in Griffith, with those looking to watch the channel’s programming needing to switch to the Channel 7 streaming app, 7Plus.
Perhaps the biggest loser out of the failed deal is sport, as four to five free-to-air games of AFL will be lost each week, with international or Big Bash League cricket also losing all of its screen time.
Griffith will join South Australia’s South East and Riverland regions as the only areas in the country without free-to-air coverage of Australia’s two most popular sports.
Griffith City Council Mayor Doug Curran said neither Channel 7 nor the WIN Network reached out to members of the local government area, leaving no chance for the region to lobby against the decision.
“We’re absolutely disappointed that it couldn’t happen, but also probably disappointed with the way that it was communicated as well,” Cr Curran said.
“There was no direct communication with the council, so we had no ability to advocate or to lobby. We saw the release on social media and through other media outlets, the same as everybody else did, so that’s a real disrespect to our community.”
Channel 7’s coverage of AFL and cricket had already received a reduction in the number of games shown in recent years.
Channel 7 currently is only required to broadcast a maximum of three games of AFL, with non-Victorian states having access to their “home teams”, which in NSW includes the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Channel 7 is only allowed to show three free-to-air games a week in NSW. Photo: AFL.com.au.
Channel 7 does not have the rights to broadcast any Saturday games unless they are Swans or Giants games, with the other 16 teams locked away to Fox Sports and their streaming service, Kayo.
Cricket is similar, as Channel 7 only has the rights to men’s Tests played in Australia, which does not include one day or T20 internationals, and any international women’s matches played in Australia.
As for the Big Bash, Channel 7 only has access to 33 of the 43 games in the men’s and women’s leagues. The Saturday timeslot has been ignored by the network, with no Saturday matches, including finals, being shown at all. Meanwhile, Fox Sports and Kayo have access to all 43 games plus finals.
Griffith residents will need to download and use the 7plus app to watch the limited games available offered by Channel 7.
To watch every AFL game or Big Bash game, customers will need to pay at least $30 a month to use the Kayo streaming service, which only allows one screen to stream at a time and limits streaming to 1080p resolution. The service’s premium option costs $40 a month and allows two screens with up to 4k resolution, should the game be filmed with the appropriate equipment.
International cricket becomes even trickier as games played outside of Australia vary.
To watch games played in Australia that aren’t Tests, e.g. one day and T20 internationals, customers will need to follow the same services offering the Big Bash. For games outside of Australia, customers will need a Prime Video, Disney+ or Kayo subscription, depending on where the tournament or series is being played.
To watch all of the men’s Australian teams’ games in the month of June alone, customers needed to pay at least $13 to watch the World Test Championship Final in England on Prime Video and $30 to watch the Australian tour of the West Indies on Kayo via ESPN, or $18 for Disney + which also has access to ESPN.
Griffith couple Yvonne and Barry Tunnell said the complicated and expensive nature of watching sports in Australia left the older generation in the dark and limited those who couldn’t access a stable internet connection.
“It’s just annoying. Why can’t we just get access to all three codes of sport like everywhere else in the state or in the country,” Mr Tunell said.
“It’s just ridiculous, and it is difficult for older people, you know, who may not have a smart TV or those who can’t fork out a ridiculous amount of money a month.
“It’s also pushing people and local companies that advertise on local TV away as well. By putting it on a streaming service, the only people who can advertise are those with money to burn nationally.
“Good luck to the small guys trying to sell their tractor services, mechanics looking to fix cars locally or anyone who’s a tradie.”
