In fact the logic in teaming together would probably be to good...

In fact the logic in teaming together would probably be to good to knock back. Free to air networks keep paying overs for all their sport, if they partnered up the bidding war would be over, imagine if these 3 "channels" merged all there sport content into categorised channels, the advertisement opportunities would be unbelievable, direct marketing, it would be phenomenal. Major reduced costs with platform synergies, major reduced cost in content bidding, attraction to business adverts. I can't think of how this industry can survival without a merger. These networks are the gateway to a lot of great Australian television, and opens career paths for a lot of aspiring actors/actresses, producers, news readers, tv hosts etc. To continue to hit the same broken drum is bad business, the free to air network needs a drastic shake up.
I firmly believe breaking down the 7, 9, 10 barriers and becoming 1 identity with channels that are actually categorised is the only option.