Tassie TV-channel snub

MARK WORLEY

March 22, 2009 12:00am

AUSTRALIA'S much-hyped first free 24-hour sports television channel will not be broadcast in Tasmania when it is launched this week.

ONE, Network 10's new sports-only channel, will be launched around Australia on Thursday -- after mountains of publicity during the AFL pre-season competition.
However, regional areas including Tasmania will miss out.

Tasmanians have reacted angrily to the snub, with nearly 500 Facebook members joining an online petition lobbying Network Ten and Tasmanian Digital Television to bring the channel to the state.

TDT general manager Stephen Giles said it was not known when, or even if, the new channel would air in Tasmania.

"As it stands today, TDT is still negotiating with Network 10 for the rights to ONE," Mr Giles said.

"I can't commit to a timeframe about when negotiations will wrap up.

"The channel is only going to be launched next week in the major metropolitan markets.

"We appreciate people are interested in the new channel and it is great that they are, but until we have definitive information we cannot make any more commitments to the public."

The decision not to screen ONE in Tasmania when it launches this week comes after several years where Tasmanian sports fans have missed out on live sporting action.

Some examples include:

Being prevented from watching Tasmania's Scott Brennan row to gold at last year's Beijing Olympics, because of programming arrangements with the AFL.
Being forced to watch countless delayed telecasts of AFL matches, even though the games are broadcast live on the radio.
Thousands missing out on watching Tasmania's 2007 home Pura Cup cricket final because of a deal between Cricket Australia and pay-TV station Foxtel.
ONE will be broadcast only in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth households from Thursday.

The channel will screen major Australian sports including netball and swimming, as well as action from every round of the MotoGP and Formula One racing seasons.

It will also deliver professional American football, baseball and basketball into homes, as well as American college sport.

The new channel is being launched as part of the new Freeview digital television campaign, which aims to deliver 15 digital channels to Australians by May 1.

Twelve channels, provided by Australia's four major broadcasters, are currently available to viewers.

ONE will be the 13th to be launched.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/03/22/62651_todays-news.html

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