Albanese Government supports access to free sports coverage and local TV

The Albanese Government is safeguarding access by Australians to free sports coverage and local TV.

Changes now in effect under the prominence framework and anti-siphoning scheme will enable Australians to easily find and access their local free-to-air television services on new smart televisions, and expand the list of iconic sporting events on the anti-siphoning list. The Broadcasting Services (Minimum Prominence Requirements) Regulations 2024 commencing today:

• ensures that the applications that provide access to local free-to-air television services are installed on the device and are able to be updated;
• requires the applications to be visible on the primary user interface (including the home screen) of the device without a user having to take any other action; and
• provides that the applications are of a similar size and shape as those for subscription television services and international streaming services.

Under the regulations, manufacturers will be prohibited from supplying non-compliant devices in Australia.
 
Additionally, the Broadcasting Services (Regulated Television Services) Determination 2024 provides for Channel 44 Adelaide to be included in the prominence framework to ensure that Adelaide viewers are able to find and access their local community television channel.
 
The new anti-siphoning scheme commencing today regulates online streaming services for the first time and affirms the ongoing importance of free-to-air broadcasting in providing free access to coverage of iconic sporting events.

Under the scheme, no media content service may acquire a right to televise or provide coverage of major events included on the anti-siphoning list until a free-to-air broadcaster has a right.

This supports the ability of Australian audiences to continue to enjoy these televised events for free.

A new anti-siphoning list also commences today, broadening the composition of nationally important and culturally significant events to include additional women’s and Para-sport events – better reflecting the modern media landscape and the growing popularity of these sports.

The reforms follow the passage of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Prominence and Anti-siphoning) Act 2024.
 
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
 
“The Albanese Government has delivered on its election commitment to support access to local TV and free sports coverage in the streaming era.
 
“The prominence framework will ensure Australian consumers have access to free-to-air services with minimal input, effort or capability on their part. 
 
“The anti-siphoning arrangements have undergone much needed reform to bring them into line with today’s community expectations.
 
“The new anti-siphoning list modernises and broadens the range of events to include more women’s sports and Para sports.
 
“Importantly, these reforms mark an important first step in bringing Australia’s media laws into the 21st century.”