The anti-siphoning rules are in place to support Australians’ free access to TV coverage of events that are of national and cultural significance.
From 17 December 2024, the anti-siphoning scheme includes online streaming services.
Major events on TV
The anti-siphoning list sets out the events that should be available for free on TV. Rules apply to buying rights for events on the list.
Free-to-air TV rights to an event
Free-to-air broadcasters have the opportunity to acquire the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list before other media content service providers like subscription TV broadcasters and online streaming providers.
Broadcasters do not have to buy the rights to events on the list. If they do, the rules don’t set out how they must use them: they can broadcast the event in part, on delay, or not at all.
Events are usually taken as removed from the list 6 months before they take place. Once this happens, the anti-siphoning rules no longer apply to the event.
Media content service provider rights to an event
Media content service providers must not acquire rights to televise or provide coverage to an event on the list unless:
- a commercial TV broadcaster has the right to televise the event to more than 50% of the Australian population, or
- the ABC or SBS have the right to televise the event.
To contact us about anti-siphoning, please use the Broadcasting complaint form.