WIN TV switches off Seven in Riverland, Griffith, and Mount Gambier.

WIN TV has switched off Seven in Riverland, Griffith, and Mount Gambier ater failing to reach a deal with Seven West Media to renew the current broadcast agreement.

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: “Despite our best endeavors, we have been unable to reach a mutually acceptable commercial agreement with the WIN Network to provide access to Seven via aerial transmission in Riverland, Griffith, and Mount Gambier.

“Seven has not turned off our signal. We continue to provide our content to WIN for broadcast into these markets and WIN has made the decision to switch off the Seven signal to these communities.

“While we are disappointed WIN has made this decision, these communities are important to us and they can access Seven’s news, sport and entertainment content live, free and on demand on 7plus,” he said.

“In the meantime, Seven is seeking the assistance of the Federal Government and the Australian Communications and Media Authority to help resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”

Last month WIN CEO Andrew Lancaster said, “While we are disappointed with Seven West Media’s decision, we respect their right to pursue their own commercial strategies. WIN remains committed to serving our regional audiences with a strong local presence and programming.”

Communications Minister Anika Wells recently said, “The Government urges the parties to continue negotiations and work together to deliver for these communities.”

Meanwhile Southern Cross Media Group has completed the sale of its remaining television assets in Tasmania, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa, Darwin and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia to Seven West Media.

SCA has applied the upfront cash consideration of $3.75 million from the sale towards reducing net debt.

The total consideration from the sale of SCA’s television assets is, in aggregate, in the range of $19 to $24 million. This includes both the SWM proceeds of $3.75 million and the previously announced profit share proceeds of $15 to $20 million from the sale of the 3 TV licences to Network 10.

John Kelly, SCA CEO, said: “With the successful divestment of our regional TV assets, our entire strategic focus is now All About Audio. This clarity is already delivering results. As our share of audio revenue grows, we remain disciplined on costs and are committed to giving advertisers unmatched. access to the ‘Audience That Matters’ – Australians aged 25 to 54.”

Jeff Howard, said: “Seven is proud to be Australia’s largest regional commercial television network. We’re excited to expand into these new markets and further harness the strength of our news, sport and entertainment content – across both Seven and 7plus.

“Following the acquisition of Southern Cross Media’s television assets, 7News has unparalleled breadth and depth across regional Australia, and we will be upscaling our investment in news across these markets to reflect the importance of these communities. Ownership of these licences will allow us to connect directly with these regions moving forward.”

Seven will be continuing Tasmania’s one-hour, locally produced bulletin seven nights a week. Seven will soon provide news updates in Spencer Gulf (Whyalla and Port Pirie, South Australia), Darwin and Broken Hill, alongside updates in Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Mildura.

Seven’s Director of Regional News, Paul Patrick, said: “7News is an intrinsic part of the communities we operate in, with the only local 6.00pm bulletins in all our major regional markets. From our journalists to our camera operators, and production teams across the country, we are passionate about telling local stories that resonate with our local audiences. We are their voice.”

Seven states it is committed to regional jobs in regional communities, with regional news hubs in Maroochydore (Queensland), Bunbury (Western Australia), Launceston (Tasmania) and Canberra. In addition, Seven has journalists, camera operators and production teams creating local content in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Tamworth, Orange, Dubbo, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Launceston, Hobart, Geraldton, Bunbury and Albany.

Seven’s National Sales Director, Regional Sales, Greg Gabel, added: “Seven is proud to go above and beyond to support our local communities. From sponsoring the 7Rocky River Run to supporting Volunteer Marine Rescue and junior AFL teams in every state, we thrive on being an integral part of regional Australia.”