Australia's Ten Network Wins Broadcasting Rights To Wallabies Test Matches

Australia's Ten Network is "poised to become" the new TV broadcaster of the Australian national rugby team (known as the Wallabies) and Test rugby, according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. The network has "secured the rights" to show Wallabies' Tests on free-to-air TV from commercial rival the Nine Network, "which is primarily a rugby league and cricket channel." Pay-TV network Fox Sports "owns the broadcast rights to Australian rugby," which includes the Wallabies and Super Rugby. But under the federal government's anti-siphoning laws, "it is required to on-sell the rights" to show the Wallabies to free-to-air TV. It is believed that Fox Sports, after consulting with the Australian Rugby Union, has decided Ten, which missed out on the Australian Football League and rugby league, "would be a better home for the Wallabies" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/23).