Sport to spearhead digital TV push

THE Rudd Government will use sport to drive the take-up of free-to-air digital television by allowing TV networks to show big-ticket sporting events on new channels such as ABC2 and the commercial networks' alternative high-definition channels.
Under changes being considered by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, the Government may allow TV networks to broadcast sporting events, which are now protected under anti-siphoning laws, on their free-to-air digital channels.
The sports most likely to be in Labor's sights include soccer, tennis and netball.
The Government plans would help prevent a repeat of the situation before the 2005 Ashes Test cricket series between Australia and England, when the broadcast almost went to a pay TV channel after the free-to-air commercial channels did not take up the rights from the England Cricket Board.
After a national outcry, the series was eventually picked up by SBS, generating record ratings and big advertising revenue. At the time, laws prevented the series being shown on ABC2 and other TV networks' alternative digital channels.
But any move to increase the amount of sport on free-to-air TV using the extra digital channels would infuriate media mogul Rupert Murdoch and other big players in pay TV.
Free-to-air digital TV can be accessed using digital set-top boxes, costing as little as $40. These give viewers extra channels, including ABC2 and additional SBS channels, as well as commercial channels' high-definition broadcasts. Most newmodel TVs have built-in digital tuners.
With analog television broadcasts due to be switched off in 2013, the Government is looking for ways to encourage Australians to take up digital TV, given that only 30% nationally have so far made the switch.
Talk of giving free-to-air networks first opportunity to show major sporting events came as thousands of soccer fans were robbed of the opportunity to watch the Socceroos play Qatar in their World Cup qualifier in Melbourne last night.
Under a seven-year $120 million deal reached by Football Federation of Australia in 2006, FoxSports has the broadcast rights to 90 A-League games a season, six Socceroo games and the rights for Asian tournaments featuring the Socceroos.
Shadow communications spokesman Bruce Billson said the Rudd Government had meekly accepted Socceroos games being shown on pay TV, despite talking tough when in opposition.
Senator Conroy said the Government could not rip up the FFA's contract with Foxtel but would move to put the Socceroos' World Cup qualifying games on the anti-siphoning list in time for the contract's expiry in 2013.

Story by Andrew Probyn and Nick Butterly The Age February 7, 2008