The World Game shut down by SBS
SBS has announced that it is shutting down its website for the iconic ‘The World Game’ brand.
The website was the last remaining platform for The World Game, initially launched in 2001 as a weekly television show, hosted by late and legendary broadcasters Les Murray and Johnny Warren.
The World Game website, which was launched a year later in 2002, will be discontinued, along with the Cycling Central website. “The SBS Sport website will be the home of all our sports coverage, and the current websites for The World Game and Cycling Central will not be continuing” said the broadcaster in an online statement.
SBS said that their sporting output will be pivoting towards “increasing our focus on providing live sport streaming and improving our catch-up service on SBS On Demand, so you can easily access more of our sport coverage”.
In response to the statement, a SBS spokesperson said: “The decision to retire The World Game website was not made lightly.”
As a result of the website’s closure the spokesperson said: “A small number of roles will be impacted as a result of these changes. SBS is working closely with the employees directly affected.”
The broadcast rights for the A-League and W-League are currently on the market, with Foxtel’s deal set to expire in July, SBS previously broadcasting both leagues.
The rights to a number of Socceroos and Matildas international fixtures also remain on the market, both held by Football Australia, in addition to the 2023 Australia and New Zealand hosted Women’s World Cup.
While The World Game website will no longer exist, SBS added: “We are also proud to be the exclusive Australian rights holder to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will continue broadcasting a number of international football events.”
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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