We reported back in June how a deal between FINA and Australian broadcasters concerning the presenting of the FINA World Championships had yet to be struck and that appears to still be the case.
Aside from 2013, if negotiations fail to move further, this would mark the first time since 1986 that the world’s biggest aquatic competition outside the Olympics has not been broadcast in Australia.
Per Phil Lutton at The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘neither [Australian station] Seven nor Swimming Australia can reveal details of any commercial arrangements, but the sum is understood to be around $400,00, which would entail broadcasting the 8-day swimming program from July 21.’
The SMH continues, ‘With travel and commentary and broadcasting coasts included, the final figure could be as much as $800,000, pitting it out of reach of any of the Australian networks.’
If this situation holds, the only opportunity for Australians to view the championships would be via FINA’s own online streaming service, which is a paid service.
Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell told The SMH, ‘We are currently in discussions with FINA regarding alternative options for viewing the broadcast in Australia and hope to be in a position to provide an update soon.’
This isn’t something entirely new, as the Aussie World Swimming Trials itself was without a television broadcast. Prelims and finals were only available via live streaming.
Swimming Australia told SwimSwam back in June, “Swimming Australia does not have the rights to the World Swimming Championships so we cannot livestream it.”
Just for perspective from another area of the world, it appears that the World Championships coverage in Great Britain is also shallow on being live. Per BBC.com’s schedule, swim fans can watch highlights of the diving and swimming competitions on BBC Two and listen to coverage of swimming on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
I’m from the UK and I can confirm as it stands there will be no live broadcast from the World Championships, BBC will have one hour highlights everyday of the Swimming. Eurosport have decided not to show anything this time for whatever reason, I’m guessing maybe the cost of rights. Eurosport always usually broadcast the World’s with very good coverage and personally I prefer Eurosport over BBC, it’s a real shame especially a year out before the Olympics.
FINA is certainly existing in a parallel universe if they honesty believe they can “ignore the market” when it comes to broadcasting rights pricing ….. and IOC needs to be taking note as well.
This is also a stark message that AUS networks are now getting very risk averse/counting their pennies closely and sports broadcasting outside of the major professional sports/domestic leagues no longer brings in the viewer ratings OR advertising revenue it once did ….. esp when its generally outside prime viewing hours.
Its sad for AUS fans but …. even Olympics don’t rate anywhere near what they did in the 00s and networks are now very cognizant of that reality
It’s interesting that broadcasters are listed for both Singapore and Malaysia. What’s the bet they got a nice deal and Australia is being price gouged? I’d love to know what each broadcaster is being charged for the rights.
Sad world hey, when there is 10 shopping channels,channels full of reruns of 1970s comedies, reality show crap on TV… and swimming world champs that no one can see.
Sums up the shallow, fake, corporate world we live in.
Will it be streamed or broadcast in America?
This is a big mistake. People like to have their home country announcers to listen to. It brings familiarity and a following to the event. You can’t just force them to pay $25 to FINA for a garbage broadcast with an announcer that doesnt know much about your home country’s swimming history.
Secondarily, FINA is comprised of the swim nations of the world. So they are effectively overcharging themselves for the broadcast rights. I don’t see why the top 10-15 swim nations can’t just sit in a room and dictate to FINA how the broadcasting is going to happen. Why is this so hard to do? Why is FINA considered an independent entity in this case. JUST TELL THEM WHAT… Read more »
With swimming it’s been a take what I can get thing.
Watch it in languages I don’t understand (Korean, Russian, Scottish. Etc.)
Did prefer my nations broadcast when the Canadian announcer mixed up the swimmers for the free and medley relays though.
To make non emotional assessment , what ar the prices for other nations? Everybody has to be mindful of costs & the value an outlay brings . Ariarne & Kyle are stars but the others have a lot of work to do to make ppl interested again . This is an opportunity for them to do their thing without the dreaded woe is me ‘ too much pressure’ as no one back home is watching .
Pay a millenial $500 to set up a website and webcast
Livestream Andy.
I want the whole meet to be Full of Swimming!
So true. 800k for a swim meet. Wtf. Fina…again. is messing up swimming. What a cool sport being ruined by lameos…