Viewers beware: devil in detail of anti-siphoning changes
Roy Masters
November 27, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-of-antisiphoning-changes-20101126-18amp.html
THE federal government's changes to the anti-siphoning list are being promulgated as a victory for free-to-air TV but the devil is in the detail for the viewer.
The fine print reveals Channel Nine can continue to show NRL games on delay, including treating Victorian fans with contempt by screening them after midnight, while the AFL can now sell their third- and fourth-best games to pay TV.
Three NRL games and four AFL games have been quarantined from pay TV on the government's B list where games can be shown up to four hours on delay on free-to-air, including a network's high-definition multi-channels.
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Based on Channel Nine's past programming of rugby league, its two Friday night matches will be flip-flopped, allowing the network to load up the delayed telecast on its prime channel with commercials.
It is unlikely Nine would show either game on its digital channels, which are aimed at a non-sports demographic.
This means Melbourne fans will continue to see the NRL's best two games in the early hours.
Of course, the NRL can insist in its next broadcasting contract scheduled, to begin in 2013, that these games be telecast live into the developing states on the digital channels.
More than a decade ago, the then Melbourne Storm executive director John Ribot protested to the NRL over Nine showing movies in Victoria when its contract stated it should be screening rugby league.
Nothing was done then, and nothing is likely to happen in the future when the broadcaster flouts the rules.
The AFL has been busy promoting the fact Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has insisted their best two games be shown on Friday nights and Saturday nights.
But there has been no comment on the quality of the other two games shown on free-to-air TV.
Foxtel has demanded matches involving top clubs, such as Collingwood and Essendon, in preference to the four passed on by incumbent rights holders, Seven and Ten.
Subscription rates in Victoria are significantly below the national average, and Foxtel argues it needs better games to force fans to sign up.
Foxtel, now allowed to bid directly for four games a week, will pay handsomely for better games when the next contract begins in 2012.
And the AFL needs this extra money to finance its two new clubs, Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Senator Conroy has allowed himself some wriggle room by saying cabinet must approve a ''mechanism'' by which games are shared between pay and free-to-air TV.
Significantly, Foxtel has been reported as opposed to government involvement, obviously confident the AFL will schedule matches to suit the money they have paid.
Earlier this year, the Herald reported Foxtel would be awarded the AFL's third- and fourth-best picks each round but this was denied.
The AFL schedules matches a year in advance but they can allocate two matches to one time and then schedule them to suit the broadcaster.
The NRL allocates matches according to the broadcasters' wishes, first in a six-week block, then an 11-week block, ending the regular season with a four-week block.
Only the two Friday night matches are scheduled simultaneously, allowing Brisbane to watch a Queensland team live and Sydney to see a NSW team live, before swapping them.
It means Nine can choose matches that reflect the teams' positions on the NRL ladder.
In reality, Nine prefers the Broncos, Dragons, Bulldogs and Eels, irrespective of their form.
NRL chief executive David Gallop favours the AFL type fixed season draw, allowing clubs to schedule corporate functions a year ahead.
It is likely the NRL will auction matches at the next TV contract in terms of how much a network will pay for a flexible season draw versus a fixed season draw.
Free-to-air broadcasters will pay more for flexibility. Guess which contract will be accepted.
The loopholes allowed under the anti-siphoning changes threaten to maintain the status quo in rugby league, and disadvantage the AFL fan.
