Final World Cup group matches to be shown live on free-to-air

May 16, 2010 - 3:27PM

Pivotal matches at the tail-end of the group phase of the 2010 World Cup will be shown live on Australian TV after the federal government adjusted anti-siphoning legislation.

The final round of pool fixtures at each World Cup are played concurrently in each group so as to avoid collusion, and viewers will now be able to take their pick between the matches on SBS and its digital affiliate, SBS Two.

This will allow watchers to flick between Australia's final match against Serbia and the game between Germany and Ghana, likely to be key matches in what shapes as a tight contest for the two spots in the second round in South Africa.
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"The changes will be given effect by a notice amending the Broadcasting Services Act. The notice will amend the anti-siphoning list to remove eight group stage matches from the list," a spokesperson for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said in a statement.

"This de-listing will allow SBS to show the eight matches live on SBS Two while other concurrent group stage matches are also shown live on SBS One.

"This would have otherwise been prevented as the anti-siphoning scheme precludes free-to-air broadcasters from premiering events on the anti-siphoning list on their digital television multi-channels.

"SBS will then replay each of the eight matches on SBS One immediately after their live telecast on SBS Two."

AAP
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/final-world-cup-group-matches-to-be-shown-live-on-freetoair-20100516-v61w.html