With 69% of Australians now accessing TV via the internet, millions will miss out on watching sport if proposed anti-siphoning laws are not applied to streaming services, according to research from Resolve Strategic.
The polling found only 29% of Australians watch TV exclusively through an aerial and 18% of those are considering switching to digital soon. If anti-siphoning laws are not extended to digital services, around half (49%) of people who use free streaming services such as 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play reported they would simply miss out on watching sport.
The anti-siphoning scheme stops pay television broadcasters from buying the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list unless free-to-air broadcasters have the right to televise the event.
Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said this research shows that most Australians are watching TV through the internet and this proportion will only increase as more people either ditch their aerials and new homes are built without them.
“New anti-siphoning laws must be updated to reflect this reality otherwise millions will be forced to buy expensive streaming subscriptions during a cost of living crisis or miss out altogether on the great sporting events that bind our nation together," she said.
“All Australians deserve access to sport, regardless of their income or whether they have an antenna on their home."
Free TV is also launching a new round of its 'Keep Sport Free' advertising campaign across TV, print, outdoor and social media to support the call for an update to the laws.
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