ABC faces backlash following decision to cut live radio coverage of Tokyo Olympics
Budget cuts have been blamed for the ABC’s decision to not broadcast the Tokyo Olympics live on ABC radio in 2020, a move which ends a 67-year tradition for the public broadcaster.
The decision has been met with backlash online, including from the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) which called it ‘short-sighted’.
The Australian Olympic Committee has lashed out at the public broadcaster over the choice to not air the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
For the first time since the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the ABC will not live broadcast the event, with the decision made to not bid for the rights in 2020. The ABC would need to purchase the non-commercial broadcast rights from Seven. The Guardian is reporting these discussions broke down after six months.
The AOC has called on the broadcaster to reconsider, saying in a statement that the refusal to broadcast the event is against the ABC charter.
“The ABC should reconsider this decision. The AOC is prepared to put this case to the Chair of the ABC directly, on behalf of the 8 million Australians who participate in Olympic sports,” said AOC chief executive officer Matt Carroll.
“Not to mention the millions more who follow, support and celebrate those athletes.
“The AOC believes the decision is monumentally short-sighted and a great let down to Australians who rely on their national broadcaster – from the smallest of communities to our suburbs.”
But, on the other side of the debate, the ABC is blaming budget cuts and says the cost of broadcasting the event is just too high. The event would require a dedicated digital radio station, as well as live commentary from the ABC team and coverage of every Australian medal.
https://twitter.com/oz_f/status/1194002885740154880
In a statement, the broadcaster said the decision had been a very tough one, but that due to ‘competing budget priorities’ the ABC was left with no other choice. It also pointed out that Australians would be able to access the Olympic Games in many other ways, and that both ABC News and ABC Grandstand would still be covering the games with updates.
“This is an incredibly tough decision especially given our 67-year run as the official non-commercial Olympic Games radio broadcaster. Due to competing budget priorities coupled with the fact that Australians can access Olympic Games coverage in many other ways, we have chosen not to pursue rights in 2020,” said a spokesperson.
Director of regional and local Judith Whelan spoke to ABC Mornings radio host Virginia Trioli and said the broadcast costs the ABC approximately $1m, primarily in the cost of setting up a studio in the host city. She called the decision ‘incredibly difficult’ and said the broadcaster hadn’t taken it lightly.
“The vast majority of that cost is the staging of the commentary. We have to set up a seperate broadcast centre in the host city and staff that with commentators, producers, technicians,” said Whelan.
Trioli said the decision may put the ABC in ‘flagrant breach of the ABC charter’. Whelan agreed that the decision was less than ideal, but said given the current budget concerns, it was one that had to be made.
Sick of hearing about people being up in arms about the Olympics coverage being dumped. Cuts to the ABC have consequences. Programs will be cut. People are being cut.
— James Findlay (@james_findlay) November 11, 2019
Several ABC reporters have spoken out with their disappointment about the decision, with Quentin Hull calling it a ‘national shame’.
Carroll said that in the decision to not air the event, the broadcaster was missing out on an opportunity to inspire Australians.
The ABC will lose part of its DNA by not being at the Tokyo Olympics.
The coverage has always shed a light on amazing stories of not only Australians, but human achievement the world over.
Its a national shame.
— 🎙️QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) November 10, 2019
“Tokyo 2020 presents such an opportunity to do that, given the time-zone, in particular,” said Carroll.
“The Olympics can inspire Australians to embrace something valuable and as the ABC’s charter indicates – to contribute to a sense of national identity. There’s no bigger event in the world to fulfil this ambition.
“There is no sporting movement in Australia that covers the multi-cultural and geographical diversity of our country as the Olympic movement – we will be sending athletes to compete in some 42 disciplines in Tokyo. These are things go to the heart of the ABC Charter,” Mr Carroll concluded.”
Another example of poor budgeting from our Federal Govt. They can find millions of dollars expelling a poor refugee family of four to a remote island and yet relentlessly cut the ABC budget, primarily because they refuse to answer the hard questions. What do you expect the ABC to do in this environment? One off costs like the Olympics coverage take an enormous toll on their budget.
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The federal coalition have created this situation with their increasingly savage cuts to the ABC. Of course the national broadcaster should carry Olympic coverage, particularly for rural and regional markets but the ABC has been forced to cut the cloth to suit the purse. Shame on the Federal Government, particularly in the light of the totally brilliant job the ABC has done and is doing to inform us on the status of bushfires.
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The ABC is funded by over a billion dollars of tax payers money every year. If it wants more money then maybe it should start charging the ABC audience an annual subscription fee.
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The ABC has to manage its funds just like any business in the private sector. Especially as I and millions of others are their source of funding. Show me ONE commercial media operator who broadcasts any sporting event “because we should do it out of the kindness of our hearts”? Nup, there is not one single one. Stop bleating people, and write / call / email / social-media / spam your local MP – the blame lies with them and no one else.
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You mean like tax?
This wins the stupidest comment I’ve seen all day (it’s also in the ABC charter that they have to be free).
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Great way to communicate the impact of cutting budget to the national broadcaster
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Yes tax as per taxpayers who already subsidise the ABC whether they want it or not. Sorry for sounding so stupid.
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2GB, 3AW, 4BC & 76PR WITH FVEAA & 2CCC ND REGIONAL STATIONS CA TAKEOVER ABC’S BROADXCAST OF TEH 2OP2P OLYM[ICS IN TOKYO
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