Bezos might be trying to steal the OLYMPICS from free-to-air - so get ready to shell out to tune in.
๐ Background: Since 2016, Seven West Media has held the rights to the Olympics. It's a massive boon for the broadcaster, with nearly 20 million Aussies tuning into the Tokyo Olympics last year.
๐ What happened: Amazon says it might make a play for the rights to the next 3 summer and winter Olympics later this year.
๐ What else: Amazon Prime Video platform is open to all opportunities (like the Olympics), but free-to-air broadcasters say global streaming services should be blocked under anti-siphoning laws.
๐ก Australia's anti-siphoning scheme aims to give free-to-air broadcasters like Seven, Nine and Ten the initial opportunity to buy rights to major events like the Olympics.
๐ก The laws came into effect back in the 90s, when pay TV operators were new on the scene. So in actual fact, here in Oz, Foxtel is the only pay TV operator restricted under the laws.
๐ก Because the laws haven't been updated, the door is wide open for streaming services like Amazon or Stan to steal broadcasting rights. Which has left free-to-air broadcaster shakin' in their 'lil TV booties.
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