Is Australia’s “Anti-Siphon List” Still The Best Way To Protect Live Sports Broadcasts?

The launch of pay television during the 1990s in Australia created high levels of political concern that the general public of Australia would no longer be able to access major sporting events on free-to-air television. It was thought that the pay television operators would have greater resources to “siphon” events like the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the Olympics behind a paywall.

This concern led to the creation of an anti-siphoning list (The List), established under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) and aimed at ensuring specified sporting events remained accessible free of charge.

However, the evolution of the sports broadcasting landscape over the past 30 years has led to views that The List is no longer the most effective method of ensuring Australia has free access to major sporting events[1]. Of particular significance is:

1. Following fragmentation of the broadcasting market, where viewers are no longer restricted to viewing sporting events on free-to-air networks, it would appear that the anti-siphoning list restricts competition with its original intended purpose now less relevant.
2. It is for this reason that other measures should be implemented to ensure that Australians can access the level and variety of sports to meet consumer satisfaction, including societal benefits through greater exposure to women’s and para sport.
3. Many sports fans have moved to pay television or streaming services due to the freedom of choice, increased content and the lack of advertising.