Madison Eastmond and Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

WIN and Channel 7 will be urged to reconsider a decision that – from July 1 – will rob Riverland free-to-air TV viewers from seeing AFL, cricket and a raft of other popular programs.

In a bombshell announcement this week, WIN said it would cease broadcasting Channel 7 signals into the regional SA markets of Loxton and Mount Gambier, plus Griffith (NSW).

Riverland residents will need to watch Seven’s AFL coverage via the network’s streaming platform, 7plus, which requires Wi-Fi or internet data.

The decision also means all programs from 7, 7mate and 7two will no longer be delivered locally on free-to-air TV.

WIN said Seven refused to renew a commercial deal, however Seven has also made statements that it was “disappointed” a deal was unable to be struck.

Chaffey Liberal MP Tim Whetstone yesterday urged both parties to return to the negotiating table to “find a way to continue this service”.

“I will be advocating strongly to both networks and to relevant ministers to ensure the voice of regional South Australians is heard when it comes to national broadcasting decisions,” Mr Whetstone told The Murray Pioneer.

“This decision is a blow for our regional communities and a step backwards in media access.”

Barker Liberal MP Tony Pasin said pointing Riverland residents to streaming services was no substitute for free-to-air TV and not in the spirit of national anti-siphoning laws, which require major sporting events – like the Olympics, the Melbourne Cup, AFL, soccer, cricket, tennis and rugby – to be available nationwide.

“The requirements for sporting events of national importance and cultural significance to be available to all Australians free to air exists in legislation for a reason,” Mr Pasin said.

“To now suggest that streaming services are equivalent to free to air is nonsense.”

In addition to sporting events, Seven’s free-to-air channels carry a long list of popular news and entertainment shows, including the high-rating 7News and The Chase.

Mr Pasin said the decision was another hit to locals already battling with cost-of-living pressures.

“I know there are many in our community struggling with the cost of living and watching the footy or cricket is the highlight of their week,” he said.

“To take this away from them would be devastating. I hope that an agreement between Seven and WIN can be reached to continue this important service.”

SA Independent MLC Sarah Game, who previously advocated for WIN to restore its Sky News service, described the loss of the Seven suite of channels as a “bitter blow” to the Riverland.

WIN ceased broadcasting Sky News on July 1 last year.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 18 June 2025.