Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

Two senior Riverland politicians say they will continue to support “meaningful reforms that secure the future of regional broadcasting” following an announcement that Channel 10 will remain on local screens only for the next three months.

Barker MP Tony Pasin, and Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone, have slammed the short-term agreement between WIN Network and Channel 10 – allowing the channel to continue its free-to-air broadcast in the Riverland for the following three months – with each continuing to advocate for government intervention to permanently restore the service.

Advocating for the return of Channel 10 since the WIN Network announcement in May, Mr Pasin said while the short-term agreement was “a win for regional viewers”, there was still a need for urgent action to address long-term sustainability.

“We’ve secured a three-month reprieve that means families across the Riverland and Limestone Coast won’t lose access to (Channel) 10… as they had been expecting,” he said.

“But this is only the first step – this extension gives us the opportunity to keep the pressure on Minister Wells, WIN Television and Network 10 to secure a lasting outcome for regional viewers.

“I’ve made it clear throughout this process that regional Australians deserve the same access to free-to-air television as those living in our capital cities.

“The challenges facing regional broadcasters extend well beyond this commercial agreement. Broadcasters have been warning the government for some time that the long-term future of regional free-to-air television is at risk.”

The potential loss of local access to Channel 10 comes less than a year after WIN temporarily ceased broadcasting Channel 7 to the same regional markets, when the two networks came to a stalemate.

However, broadcasting of the channel resumed – after a two-day local blackout – due in part to WIN being required to meet obligations under the Commercial Broadcasting Licence issued pursuant to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, with Seven also contractually obligated under agreement with the AFL and Cricket Australia.

Mr Pasin said the “similar challenges” faced by the two channels “demonstrates the need for the government to work with the industry on meaningful reforms that secure the future of regional broadcasting”, as without a solution, regional communities could eventually be forced to rely on satellite television instead of locally broadcast services.

“People across regional Australia value free-to-air television because it ensures they have access to the same programming as their city counterparts, without being left behind or forced to seek alternatives,” he said.

“…I will continue my determined advocacy to ensure viewers in the Riverland and Limestone Coast can continue to access (Channel) 10 via free-to-air broadcast.

“I welcome WIN and (Channel) 10 continuing negotiations over the coming months, but I also expect the Minister to use this opportunity to deliver the reforms regional broadcasters have been calling for.

“I’ll keep fighting for free-to-air television in regional Australia until a permanent solution is secured.”

Mr Whetstone said he too would continue advocating to permanently restore the channel to local homes, and ensure WIN fulfils its “public service obligation” to the community.

“With only a couple of days to spare, WIN TV has given us an extra three months for the community to voice its concerns and disappointment,” he said.

“Free-to-air programming is the only affordable and accessible option for many locals, and WIN has a public service obligation that it needs to be held accountable for.

“I will continue to urge the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells to do everything in their power to make sure this happens.”

WIN Network said finding a sustainable long-term solution will “require the industry and government working together”, and would “continue to play its part in that conversation”.

“We will continue negotiations with Paramount in good faith,” the statement said.

“We will also continue to engage with government on reforms that are urgently needed to ensure regional Australians continue to be informed, educated and entertained by regional broadcasters.”

Mr Whetstone advised locals can contact the WIN Corporation to express their views by phone on (02) 4227 3682, or by writing to 1 Television Avenue, Mount Saint Thomas, NSW, 2500.

WIN and Channel 10 agree to three more months of broadcasting –
A last minute deal

A last-minute network deal has temporarily reversed a looming WIN Network decision that was set to rob the region of a popular free-to-air TV channel this week.

Announced on Monday, WIN Network has reached a short-term agreement with Network 10 allowing the channel to continue its fre-to-air broadcast in the Riverland for the following three months.

The decision comes in after WIN said it would cease broadcasting Network 10 signals into the regional SA markets – including the Riverland, Mount Gambier, and Griffith – unless a deal could be struck by June 30.

If broadcasting did cease, Riverland residents will need to watch popular Network 10 programs, including MasterChef Australia and Australian Survivor, plus its digital channels, such as 10 Drama, 10 Comedy, and Nickelodeon, on the network’s streaming app, 10 Play, which requires smart TVs or mobile devices with access to Wi-fi or internet data.

A statement from WIN Network said the station “welcomed the short-term agreement”, but wanted to ensure it was “clear” the agreement was only “a pause (and) not a solution to the challenges faced by regional broadcasters”.

“We have agreed on three months to attempt to find a path forward and address the structural challenges in parts of regional Australia that have brought us to this point,” the statement said.

“What is playing out here is not unique to WIN, or to these communities, it reflects the commercial realities that every regional broadcaster in Australia is grappling with right now.

“Free-to-air television remains the most trusted and accessible broadcast medium available to regional Australians and WIN is committed to fighting to protect it.

“Short-term commercial agreements alone will not secure the future of regional broadcasting.” 

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 1 July 2026.