Wallabies’ 2017 UK Spring Tour to be shown on SBS
SBS has secured the exclusive free to air rights for three rugby union matches from the Wallabies 2017 UK Spring Tour.
The international test matches commence on November 12, ad will see the Wallabies compete against Wales, England and Scotland.
The three matches will run from November 12, across SBS and SBS on Demand
Rugby Union’s upcoming tour sports rights do not involve Channel Ten, which has the exclusive free to air rights as a partner of Fox Sports to domestic tests, the Bledisloe Cup and all matches played by the Qantas Wallabies in the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies Spring Tour will be available in HD on SBS and can be streamed live through SBS on Demand.
SBS’ latest deal comes as Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner has labelled the cost of major sports rights “not sustainable”.
In a meeting with shareholders this morning, Worner said sports contracts – predominantly related to “major one off events” did not deliver the financial return anticipated.
“Now that’s not to say they are not valuable, but in light of market conditions the prices we paid are not sustainable,” he said.
“The value we bring – that free to air television brings – to sporting codes, has simply not been recognised and will need to be in any future sports rights deals.”
Nine CEO Hugh Marks has previously made similar comments, arguing there has to be a “limitation” on free television rights, as he looks to a negotiation beyond linear broadcasting.
“When you look at what we can afford to pay for free television rights, there has to be a limitation. If the market is not growing, you can’t continue to ramp up your cost,” Marks said at the time.
“There has to come a limit to what you can pay for free television rights, which means I’ve got to re-look at the nature of my relationship with sports if I’m going to bring more revenue.”
