Latest news with #WINNetwork
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Channel 7 and WIN Network in new deal that ends TV blackout and delivers free-to-air television to regions
Channel 7 programming has resumed in three regional communities in South Australia and NSW after a fresh broadcast deal was struck with WIN Network. Aerial transmission was switched back on in The Riverland and Mount Gambier in South Australia, and Griffith in NSW, about 5pm AEST on Thursday, delivering free-to-air television to those communities once more. 'The Seven Network and WIN Network have reached a new content agreement which has seen Seven's channels return to the Riverland, Griffith and Mount Gambier via aerial transmission this afternoon,' the networks said in a joint statement. 'Both Seven and WIN acknowledge the significant impact of free-to-air television in regional communities and the importance of providing news, sport, entertainment, and a voice to regional Australians. 'We thank the people of the Riverland, Mount Gambier and Griffith communities for their patience while we worked through this matter.'
ABC News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Free-to-air AFL and cricket could disappear from parts of SA and NSW
Regional residents in parts of South Australia and New South Wales could lose access to Seven Network channels on their TVs from next month, after negotiations with WIN Network broke down. 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. Potential blow for locals Riverland Adelaide Crows supporter group vice-president Peter Kennedy said he "couldn't believe" the announcement. "Hopefully, something can happen that makes it so it doesn't take place," he said. "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. "This is taking away from that enjoyment, from that ability for our youth to see what they might become in the future." 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. Hopes negotiations continue 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.
ABC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Free-to-air AFL and cricket could disappear from parts of SA and NSW
Regional residents in parts of South Australia and New South Wales could lose access to Seven Network channels on their TVs from next month, after negotiations with WIN Network broke down. 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.
