Nine cops backlash from Foxtel satellite customers unable to access Ashes broadcast
Thousands of Foxtel customers are unable to watch the current Ashes series in the UK because the Nine Network refuses to pay for satellite transmission of its high definition Gem channel.
As the first day of the series began in Cardiff confused Foxtel customers who receive their pay-TV via satellite took to social media to ask why they could not access to Nine’s HD channel GEM.
This morning both Nine and Foxtel pointed the finger at each other, with the dispute centring over a refusal by both parties to pay Optus for satellite capacity to retransmit GEM on Foxtel.
“Some Freeview channels are not retransmitted to satellite customers via their Foxtel box because the free-to-air network has opted not to pay Optus for the satellite capacity that would enable Foxtel to retransmit the channel in question,” said a Foxtel spokesman.
“We’re continually working to negotiate with the Freeview networks on satellite retransmission agreements, but at this stage we do not hold these agreements for all channels in all areas.”
Nine was reluctant to be drawn on the controversy, noting Foxtel satellite consumers can access Gem by connecting their TV to a terrestrial antennae.
“The cricket was available on free-to-air which is free to everyone,” said a Nine spokeswoman.
The current series is being shown exclusively on Nine, after previous overseas Ashes tours have been shared with Fox Sports. On Monday Nine’s network sports sales director Sam Brennan told Mumbrella the decision to air the series on Gem rather than its primary channel was a “no brainer”.
“Cricket is also one of the best sports to show in HD (high definition) so being able to do that on Gem is also a good thing,” he added.
Last night’s coverage saw Gem outrate Channel Ten for audience share with 678,000 metro viewers tuning in for the first session.
Among the criticisms from social media were confusion and dismay from viewers about the lack of access to the cricket contest between Australian and England:
Neither side was willing to comment on what retransmission of HD broadcast on satellite costs.
Ten had been in a similar position to Nine with its HD channel One but has since chosen to pay for retransmitting to Foxtel customers, although Seven is understood not to be paying for its 7Mate channel to be included on Foxtel satellite.
Controversy around the rebroadcast of HD sporting events for Nine has been an ongoing issue with Nine last year copping flak for not broadcasting the 2014 NRL grand final in high definition (HD) citing “technical difficulties”.
Nic Christensen
Come on Nine, get with the program. As advertisers we expect to be able to reach audiences.
There are areas of Sydney which are not cabled and can not receive FTA TV. They watch your Nine and GO stations through satellite Foxtel. Why not GEM……?
Nine is again behind Seven….AND TEN!
I live in Camperdown in inner Sydney and had to subscribe to Foxtel to get FTA channels after the new high rise cancer centre building at RPA Hospital mostly obliterated my reception. Fortunately I’m not an Ashes fan.
Foxtel execs, note this moment. In less than 5 years you will be like Fairfax (and Myer and DJs) is today, wondering where and when it all went so terribly, terribly WRONG….
A heads-up, (even thought I can’t wait for Foxtel to die) A Netflix, or something similar in terms of ambition, ability and chutzpah, is already warming up on the sidelines. They are going to eat your lunch.
Why should channel Nine need to pay for the satellite capacity? This would primarily benefit Foxtel. Most people who receive Foxtel via satellite would also be capable of receiving the channel via Free to Air.
Its ridiculous that we are even having this conversation. Petty squabbles and once again the networks show their immaturity, and the viewer misses out.
Thanks for that Michael.
GEM is on Channel 209 on iQ2. On the main programme guide go down to the bottom (‘0 HD Channels’) and you will find it there. Unfortunately it is not on iQ
Good stuff Michael
FTA channels should not have to pay Foxtel. Foxtel are the ones who benefit from subscriber fees, and their own ratings would show that FTA channels are still the most watched.
Seriously – who has a twitter account, enough time on their hands to tweet about their latest #firstworldproblem, a $100/month foxtel subscription, but NOT a digital TV.
Stop being tightasses people. Good Guys or JB Hifi will get you a cheap chinese digital tv for about $200.
Cant believe people still running off analog tvs
Just enquiring but if you have cable and you haven’t paid for HD you can’t get GEM either right? You have to upgrade for whatever more a month. Or get a IQ3, which Im reliably informed doesn’t work too well yet and costs more as well.
I was told that I just had to switch from my foxtel to DTV but we don’t have an aerial so we just get fuzzy shit. In any case, why do I have to worry about that stuff. I can’t work a remote let alone fiddle with all other technical things. I want it, I want it now.The Ashes is on right? Which device, what app, streaming service, I don’t care too much. I can’t get it anywhere? OMG, who is in charge of this debacle?
So I pay $165/mth to Foxtel for the elite privilege of NOT being able to get the cricket. Nice. The Cricket series in India many years ago was why I signed on. Now Cricket (or lack thereof) is why Im going to sign off. I would have thought that someone at Foxtel would have worked out that I don’t need anything else but the sport these days so don’t F*CK with it in any way. But no. They denied me watching the opening day of the Ashes. Ooh. Too far.
BTW, Cricket Australia doesn’t come out too rosy here either. In desperation I subscribed to Cricket Australia’s streaming service with the intention of HDMI ing it into my big ass telly but when it came through it was on a tiny window that couldn’t be enlarged in any way. After enquiring I was told by CA that they aren’t allowed to let the image go fullscreen by the primary rights holder, Channel Nine. I guess its just an oversight on the part of CA that they don’t tell you this before you sign on and pay the money. Cha Ching. $195 now and I still can’t get it.
I gave up on the telly and sat in bed with the laptop and the little window but the screen was so small I couldn’t see the ball do anything. So I turned that off and put the digital radio on because overall the ABC commentary is better than watching tiny stick figures and no ball with a channel nine commentary and ads.
Can’t they just stream the bloody thing on JumpIn or something?. Its not the 80s guys. KP would have fixed it up quick smart. Channel Nine denying anyone the cricket is………. not cricket.
Jeremy
So if the FTA Stations do not want to pay to have their HD channels on Foxtel, then as a Foxtel subscriber would you be willing to pay more to have them there? Doubt very much Foxtel subscribers would want to pay more.
Turn off the foxtel box, use the digital built into your TV?
Richard & Tim, I don’t see how your comments are more interesting than Michael’s.
In order to avoid doing the same, I will add that I saw a chicken crossing the road on the way to work today.
Really.
Well said :Cannes(d) Laughter”
Oh the poor little dears! Outside the major capitals (including Canberra), commercial FTAs are not retransmitted on Foxtel at all. All we get is the ABC and SBS.
@Jeremy – turn off the foxtel and use the Digital built into your tv. GEM is available on FTA.
Or if you are a “techonolgically savvy tightarse” (TST) – in that you have a foxtel subscription but havent upgraded your analog tv, there are 2 solutions:
(1) Stop being a TST. Fork out $300 for a new digital tv at harvey normal, good guys, jb hifi, 2nds world, online, wherever. Problem solved.
(2) But a $50 Digital Set top box to receive digital signals and put them into your analog tv. Problem solved.
All these TSTs who pay $100/month for foxtel but wont upgrade their tv or at least pay $50 for a digital box converter.. kill me
“Cricket is also one of the best sports to show in HD (high definition) so being able to do that on Gem is also a good thing,” (Sam Brennan from Channel Nine) added.
So, Sam, why does Channel Nine continue to show cricket played in Australia on the primary SD channel?
I dont think any of the free to air channel should have to pay foxtel i think foxtel should pay tge FTA networks to have there channels
Jeremy is right. This is pathetic. Cricket Australia cashing in on the thousands of people shelling out $35 for a crappy little window. Disgrace.
It’s on FTA. .. I don’t get why foxtel would expect channel 9 to pay them ..? ??? If foxtel want it they should pay channel Nine and just increase the subscription fee to cover there cost. Or you could just plug and antenna into your digital TV or get a HD digital set top box and watch it for FREE.
For f###$ sake your alienating consumers whom advertisers like seeming me for one pays $175 month for a foxtel that has nana mouscouri cricket but no ashes, so tomorrow foxwankers expect a call cutting down my subscription; and nine im watching footy so you could have so many more.
I don’t have an aerial on my house because it has to be about 20 metres high to pick up reception. I rely on Foxtel satellite for my FTA TV as well as Foxtel channels. And yes, I would pay if I could get GEM in my Foxtel package just to watch the Ashes. As I do with other subscription services (Bein Sports & Netflix). All I want is some way to watch the content I want to watch!
@Jeremy – Cricket Australia owns the digital rights not Nine thats why the Cricket isnt on Jumpin
Please do not tell me that Nine are not giving people the ability to watch the broadcast online?
I can watch surfing, live, from a remote pacific island, with commentary, instant replays, oh and adverts.
What age are Nine operating a television broadcast in?
Guys and gals – you CAN get GEM on Foxtel if you have an iQ2 (I assume also if you have an iQ3). See my comment above on how to (#7). I have sat happily watching the first 2 days play. (Well anything was better than watching Origin).
The issue is not on your box (IQ2 or IQ3).
There are 2 ways to receive Foxtel – cable & satellite.
If you’re receiving via cable, you’ve access to all FTA channels. But if you’re receiving via satellite, channel GEM does not come through.
Maybe just maybe after all the crap NINE will continue to get during this first test they will get with the program and audience expectations for the next four tests. Wake up.
@ Tom – 209 not available on satellite…:(
@Anne – Because the Australian government are slow at allowing any of our home home games to be broadcast on GEM. There are more strict regulations when it comes to our sports being played in Australia.
Those same regulations don’t apply to games played overseas, or to games involving two neutral teams.
@Streamer – Just go to the CA website and watch it there. They have the digital rights.
Also, if Foxtel has to pay for satellite transmissions, then they’ll have to jack up the subscription price. There is no way knowing that paying for 20 channels across 25 regions can be cheap.
I agree with the general sentiment. HD has been out for 10 years, people have had long enough to get with the times. HD set top boxes and TV’s are cheap
I too am disappointed with NO ASHES CRICKET ON FOXTEL ..I’ve got the top platinum package and NO BLOODY ASHES CRICKET,..[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] I think I’ll down grade my package to the lowest..and watch all the cricket & footy on channel 9..? Cya
I to am disappointed with Foxtel or chanel 9(who ever) with the cricket coverage . I pay for the highest Foxtel HD package avialble yet I am penalised because I have a satilite feed I miss out on gem.I am better dumping FOXTEL all together and paying for a top notch arial for my new TV. I can watch HD cricket tonight Shi lanka V Pakistan on Fox ( woopie) why would anyone even show that rubbish in Australia.
why does this article say that channel ten are going to pay for retransmission fees for One HD?? haven’t seen any news on this any where….