Fed: Opp calls for Govt to reject cricket omission from TV list

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2001
Fed: Opp calls for Govt to reject cricket omission from TV list

CANBERRA, Aug 14 AAP - The federal opposition has called on the government to reject
recommendations that international cricket be dropped from the list of sports given priority
for free-to-air television.

Swimming and soccer fans will be winners under the proposed changes to the free-to-air
anti-siphoning list, but at the expense of most international cricket.

Under current rules, free-to-air broadcasters have priority over pay TV operators to
buy the rights to major sporting events, including the Melbourne Cup and the Australian
Open.

The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has recommended 12 changes to the anti-siphoning
list, including the addition of swimming world championships and the Pan Pacific championships.

Free-to-air broadcasters should also be given the first go at international soccer
matches involving the Socceroos, the ABA said in a report to the federal government.

But the only offshore cricket matches to be retained will be those between Australia and England.

Labor Communications spokesman Stephen Smith said he welcomed the addition of swimming
and soccer, but was disappointed by international cricket's downgrading.

"I would urge Communications Minister Richard Alston to reject these recommendations
outright," he said in a statement.

But Mr Smith said Labor would consider the report in detail before coming to a final viewpoint.

The ABA said overseas cricket matches had not been shown consistently enough to justify
their retention on the anti-siphoning list.

Other events recommended to be scrapped from the list - which could potentially disappear
from free-to-air television - include the Hong Kong sevens rugby, Australian men's and
women's hardcourt tennis and the semi-finals of the National Basketball League.

AAP rft/cjh/sb r

KEYWORD: SIPHONING DAYLEAD

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