AFL media rights which are currently front and centre of a big pitch by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, to get more money for the code could face a backlash if they end up in the hands of a US network.
Labor says Australia needs to urgently review its sports broadcasting rules and has accused the Morrison government of failing to safeguard AFL, NRL, the Olympics and other major sports from being locked behind online streaming giants’ paywalls such as the US owned Paramount + who also own Network 10 who McLachlan pitched to last week in New York before he got an audience with a New York
McLachlan was snapped deep in conversation with Orthodox Jews in Queens in the USA while wearing a Yarmulke or Kippah skullcap, which signifies respect for the Jewish faith.
based rabbi.
Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton whose network has the current rights claims that his network is well-placed to extend its lucrative TV rights deal with the AFL.
Tomorrow when News Corp announce their results CEO Robert Thomson is expected to comment on where Foxtel who own the streaming rights and News Corp are in their response to the AFL trying to jack up US media groups to take control of a local sports code that has little chance of success outside of Australia.
He like Foxtel management has declared believes that Seven is in a strong position to renew its broadcast partnership with the AFL, which is the most lucrative sports rights deal in Australia.
Seven and the majority News Corp controlled Foxtel currently share the broadcast rights in a deal set to expire at the end of 2024.
The big difference next time round is that the AFL is looking at doing all production for AFL games from 2025.
Warburton said “We have a great relationship with the AFL. We’ve been talking to them for a while.
“We’ve been growing the AFL’s market, particularly in Brisbane and Sydney, and we’re participating in the negotiating process.”
But in a thinly veiled reference to perceived efforts to try and inflate the cost of the next AFL rights deal, Mr Warburton said: “We’ll be sensible. It’s economics, not ego.”
Nine Media suggested that Seven would approach the looming battle for the broadcast rights to the Australian Open tennis – currently held by Nine – with caution.
“We’ll definitely have a look at that. But Ash Barty’s retirement took a lot of the oxygen out of those rights.”
Mr Warburton said he was confident that Seven would again win the television ratings crown this year, following last year’s victory over Nine, citing the ongoing success of its “tentpole” shows.
“The Voice has won every single night it’s aired since we nicked it off Nine (at the end of 2020),” he said. “Our investment in content is working.”
Amid continuing speculation, Mr Warburton said the Kerry Stokes-owned company remained open to the possibility of partnering with an international streaming service, but the recent slump of sector giant Netflix had justified Seven’s decision not to rush the process.
“We’ll look for the right opportunity, not just any opportunity.”
