Network 10 stares down Sky News over new regional TV deal
The deal, which has not yet been finalised, represents a key component of Sky’s broadcast strategy, alongside a carriage agreement with Foxtel and a move to reach audiences on YouTube.
Sky News Australia and Paramount-owned Network 10 remain locked in talks over a regional television deal set to expire later this month, after the Australian free-to-air minnow inherited the tie-up earlier this year.
Sky News Australia struck deals with Southern Cross Austrereo and WIN Corp in 2021 to take its free-to-air linear channel to audiences across regional Australia. However, those regional licenses were sold to Network 10 in transactions finalised earlier this year.
The two companies have yet to finalise an agreement, according to people briefed on the discussions. Network 10 is reviewing multiple deals coming up for expiry and will renegotiate those that are fit-for-purpose for all parties, said one of the people, requesting anonymity because the details are not yet finalised.
“The newly acquired regional TV licences demonstrates our commitment to ensure regional audiences have access to Network 10’s dynamic line up of news, sport and entertainment while reinforcing our position as a major player in the Australian television landscape,” a Network 10 spokesperson told Capital Brief.
