Free data on Sunday and digital pirates

Much has been written over the last week about Telstra’s network outage for about three hours on Tuesday, which caused great consternation amongst its customer base. Some even took the opportunity to lambast the network, which has been for so long branded as Australia’s best and most reliable mobile network, especially in light of previous… Continue reading Free data on Sunday and digital pirates

Fox Sports secures new NRL rights deal

In August the NRL awarded the Nine Network exclusive broadcast rights to 4 weekly NRL Premiership Games from 2018. At the time, the now former NRL CEO Dave Smith said “…there will be more live and free Rugby League on television – and that is what the fans want.” This agreement with Nine blindsided incumbent NRL media partners… Continue reading Fox Sports secures new NRL rights deal

AFL announces record broadcast rights deal

The AFL has this evening announced a record $2.508 billion, six-year broadcast rights deal with News Corp Australia, Seven West Media and Telstra. Heavy-hitters were out in force at the press conference announcing the new deal with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan joined by Rupert Murdoch, Robert Thomson and Kerry Stokes, amongst others. The new deal, which… Continue reading AFL announces record broadcast rights deal

Sports rights up for grabs

Two stories caught my interest in last week’s national papers, The Australian and The Australian Financial Review. The stories both concerned the ongoing negotiations for V8 Supercars’ new media rights deal, which will commence next year. The Australian’s article focused on Ten’s play for the rights, which if successful would see the network return to… Continue reading Sports rights up for grabs

Demetriou’s comments not misleading

Optus’ TV Now service was held earlier this month by the Federal Court not to infringe the AFL or NRL’s copyright in their match broadcasts. Following the Court’s decision the Australian Football League’s Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou, in a wide-ranging interview with the Herald Sun made a number of comments surrounding the case and Optus’ conduct. The comments… Continue reading Demetriou’s comments not misleading

TEN & ONE learn how to swim!

After the TEN Network was widely criticised for its lack of extensive live coverage of last year’s FINA World Championship, including by this website, in good news for swimming fans, TEN has announced that the 2012 EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships will be broadcast LIVE and EXCLUSIVELY on TEN and ONE from Thursday, March 15 until March 22. The competition this… Continue reading TEN & ONE learn how to swim!

Preview: 24/7 Footy about to become reality

With the AFL’s NAB Cup preseason competition beginning this Friday it is an opportune time to look at how this competition and the home & away season will be covered following last year’s record A$1.2 billion media rights deal. To watch matches this year and beyond, AFL fans will be spoilt for choice across free-to-air, subscription-TV,… Continue reading Preview: 24/7 Footy about to become reality

‘Optus TV Now’ service approved by Federal Court

The Optus TV Now service has been given the stamp of approval by the Federal Court of Australia today. The service, according to Optus, allows a user to record and watch later free-to-air TV shows on a user’s mobile or PC. It allows an Optus customer the freedom to record TV shows anytime, anywhere to play… Continue reading ‘Optus TV Now’ service approved by Federal Court

A Local Version of Hulu is Needed

We reported earlier in the year that leading US online catch-up TV service HULU had applied for registration of its trademark in Australia, fuelling speculation of an Australian launch of the service some time in the near future. HULU is jointly owned by US media companies NBC Universal (Comcast), News Corporation & The Walt Disney Company and has around 260 partners… Continue reading A Local Version of Hulu is Needed

Kim Williams appointed as News Limited’s new CEO

FOXTEL Chief Executive Officer Kim Williams AM has been appointed to the position of CEO of News Limited, the Australian division of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. This comes after Mr Murdoch, News Corporation’s Chairman & Chief Executive announced today that current CEO & Chairman of the Australian unit (News Limited) of News Corp, John Hartigan… Continue reading Kim Williams appointed as News Limited’s new CEO