WIN TV Must Restore Channel 7 Broadcasts to Regional South Australia

WIN TV Must Restore Channel 7 Broadcasts to Regional South Australia

The decision by WIN Television to abruptly cease broadcasting Channel 7 programming to the
Riverland and Mount Gambier/Limestone Coast regions is a disgraceful abandonment of
regional South Australians.

I have been inundated with calls from angry and disappointed residents in Barker - people who
simply want to watch the footy, the cricket, Seven’s trusted news service and programming
otherwise, without the need to fork out for expensive devices. It should also be noted that
certain areas of my electorate do not enjoy reliable internet network coverage.

Let’s be clear: the Seven Network has confirmed in writing this morning they remain ready and
willing to negotiate a deal. Indeed, they have advised that they continue to provide their
programming to WIN.

WIN, however, has pulled the plug, turned off the broadcast, and walked away from the table.
Their decision leaves tens of thousands of South Australians without access to services
metropolitan viewers take for granted.

Over 2,000 Barker households have signed my petition calling on WIN and Seven to continue to
broadcast programming. Those voices are being ignored. WIN’s licence includes important
conditions and if WIN is not willing to meet those obligations, the Government should consider
whether they should hold their broadcasting licence at all.

I’ve written to the Communications Minister again today and will bring this fight to the floor of
Parliament when it resumes. In the meantime, WIN must be pressured to do the right thing and
turn the signal back on immediately.