Aussie fans facing Matildas and Wallabies TV blackout in bad news for supporters

The pursuit of the almighty pay-TV and streaming dollar is hurting some of Australia's leading sporting codes, with the next generation of fans robbed of seeing the emergence of superstar players, Yahoo Sports Australia has been told. That was the warning from one of Australia's leading media analysts as the Wallabies' pursuit of a first Grand Slam victory in 40 years is being missed by a large slab of supporters.

The issue came into sharp focus this week with complaints from Wallabies fans they were unable to watch NRL recruit Joseph Suaalii's debut on free-to-air TV. The former Roosters star was a standout in Australia's brilliant 42-37 win at Twickenham, but those without a Stan Sports subscription were left scrambling to find vision of the match.

All overseas Wallabies Tests – apart from Bledisloe Cup matches in New Zealand and World Cup fixtures – are screened exclusively on Stan. On the same day Suaalii was carving up the Poms, Australia's ODI series decider against Pakistan was only available on Fox Sports, again shutting out fans without a subscription.

It's the same deal when the Socceroos or Matildas play non-World Cup games abroad, with those matches only seen on Paramount Plus. Only a handful of major sporting events are guaranteed free-to-air coverage under the federal government's anti-siphoning laws. While having to pay to watch sport is nothing new, many Australians still can’t wrap their heads around the concept and expect our national sports teams to be available on free-to-air TV at all times.

Aussie sports facing paywall backlash

Steve Allen, director of strategy and research at Pearman Media, believes Rugby Australia and other sporting bodies risk alienating fans unwilling to pay. "Sports which take the largest dollar offer, and thus sit behind pay walls, will suffer immediate and long-term declines in popularity, viewing and following," he told Yahoo Sport Australia.

"Sport administrators need to sober up and think about the long-term popularity and health of their sport. For the present breed it's all about the money, anti-siphoning regulations aside.

"The support, following and viewing, depends on accessibility. This is where FTA TV has the upper hand, as anyone can gain access. In my view, sports which ignore the cries of their fans for the love of the dollar are in the longer term short-changing their supporters."

Allen does concede Rugby Australia was caught in a difficult situation when its last broadcast rights deal was struck, with a lack of interest among media companies reducing competition. Often, Pay-TV and streaming services are the only bidders for sports and events not on the federal government's anti-siphoning list.

Allen said: "A lot more than one good match, one new exciting player, and a new coach is required for rugby in Australia to attract the big broadcast dollars. Consistency in the ability to win is the key." The Wallabies continue their quest for Grand Slam glory against Wales in Cardiff from 3.10am Monday (AEDT).