Nothing like the Government leaving things until the last...

Nothing like the Government leaving things until the last minute, especially where the 10 Network is concerned!

Expected to be announced today are the changes to the Media Reform Bill. The changes include the complete scrapping of the licence fees for TV and radio networks, a saving to networks of over $130 million.

The FTA networks will continue to pay for the broadcasting spectrum they use but this may increase by $40 million based on the station and their reach.

Gambling adverts will be banned during live sport from 5 minutes before a live game and ending 5 minutes after the final siren. This ban will only be until 8:30pm and does not include horse racing. As sports broadcasts are the major attraction to FTA networks I don’t see this as a big loss for the networks, sport has always pulled in the big advertisers, it’s the other programs and content that they have a problem finding sponsors for.

Subscription TV will be able to bid for more sport but again this is not a major hit to the FTA networks as it does not include the major sports covered by the anti-siphoning list but sports such as soccer World Cup games, Wimbledon tennis and the US Masters golf. AFL, NRL, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Australian Open etc still remain protected.

The scrapping of the 2 out of 3 rule and the 75% reach rule are still part of the Bill.

Another plus is a $30 million investment by the government to support women’s and niche sport broadcasts. Channel 7 already holds the broadcasting rights to the Women’s AFL.

All in all, fantastic news for PRT and the other FTA networks.