Free-to-air AFL and cricket could disappear from parts of SA and NSW
WIN announced it would cease broadcasting 7, 7mate, and 7two into the South Australian markets of Mount Gambier, in the south-east, and Loxton in the Riverland, as well as Griffith in New South Wales' Riverina from July 1.
It would mean that audiences in those broadcast areas would be unable to watch free-to-air sports, including football and test cricket, except through streaming services.
WIN Network said the decision followed Seven West Media's decision not to renew its broadcast agreement.
"While we are disappointed with Seven West Media's decision, we respect their right to pursue their commercial strategies," chief executive Andrew Lancaster said.
WIN Network said no jobs were expected to be lost, with local operations and staff to remain in Mount Gambier, Berri and Griffith.
Riverland Adelaide Crows supporter group vice-president Peter Kennedy said he "couldn't believe" the announcement.
"It just seems crazy to me."
He said, while some members of the club had used streaming services to watch games, older fans would struggle.
Mr Kennedy said he knew of people who didn't know what 7plus was or how to use it and others with no wi-fi connections.
"It's going to be challenging for them, to say the least," he said.
The Mayor of Griffith City Council, Doug Curran, said access to free-to-air sporting games could inspire people to take up the sport, particularly young Australians.
"You only have to go to some of our sporting ovals on the weekend and see all the youth and even some of the adults that play sport," he said.
"A lot of that is on the back of seeing some of the superstars playing on TV.
Mr Curran said he was also concerned that paying for a subscription to access sporting games on streaming services like Kayo would put more pressure on family budgets.
"It puts more pressure on, and free-to-air seems to continue to let us down moving forward," Mr Curran said.
A spokesperson for Seven said the network was "disappointed" it had not reached an agreement with WIN.
"The communities living in the Riverland and Griffith are incredibly important to Seven and, pleasingly, they will continue to have access to all of our content, including the AFL and cricket, via our live and free streaming platform, 7plus," they said.
The network says it is happy to continue negotiations with WIN to broadcast into those markets.
Mr Kennedy said if an agreement could not be reached, there would be pushback from the community.
"I just hope that they have had all the conversations they can and should have, that they've both been reasonable, and they're both trying to find a solution, rather than just shutting it down," he said.
Seven West Media recently acquired a number of regional licences from Southern Cross Austereo, including Tasmania, Darwin, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and remote, central and eastern Australia.
The Seven spokesperson said the deal was a sign of the network's "ongoing commitment to regional markets", with the acquisition expected to be completed by June 30.
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