Abc In Olympics Fight
The Age
Friday June 13, 2008
JUST weeks before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, ABC Radio does not have a broadcast deal in place, threatening a tradition of covering the Games that extends back to World War II.
The public broadcaster is locked in dispute with Sydney radio station 2GB, which owns the rights to the Games.Macquarie Radio - which owns 2GB - has sold Melbourne rights to SEN. But it is obliged to sell rights to a second carrier, capable of broadcasting across regional Australia. Only the ABC fits that description. Negotiations have stalled, but the ABC's editor of radio sport, Peter Longman, said money was not the issue and he was hopeful a deal would be signed in the next few days. If the impasse is resolved, the ABC will send its smallest ever team to an Olympics. Previously around 25 staff have travelled to the Games; budgetary pressure will limit this year's team to 18.SEN presenter Mark Doran said Melbourne listeners did not need an ABC broadcast of the Games. "We are Melbourne's official Olympic station so people won't miss out on anything."
© 2008 The Age
Share This