Network 10 strikes last-minute deal to extend broadcasting in SA and NSW

Network 10 and WIN Television have struck a short-term deal to continue broadcasting to three regional areas, just days before services were set to be cut.

WIN Television broadcasts free-to-air services in a number of regional areas, including South Australia's Riverland and South East, and Griffith in New South Wales.

Its broadcast deal with Network 10 in those markets was set to end on Wednesday, with WIN threatening to take channels, including 10 and Nickelodeon, off the air from that date.

But today, Network 10 said it would continue to deliver television services to viewers in the affected markets until September 30.

A Network 10 spokesperson said the broadcaster had provided the extension "to ensure viewers in these regions are not left without access to its programming".

"Network 10 remains committed to regional Australian audiences and will continue to explore every opportunity with WIN to keep our content as widely available as possible," the spokesperson said.

As part of the three-month deal, Network 10 will provide its feed free of charge, with both parties still looking for an alternative deal.

'Structural challenges' to deals

A WIN Network spokesperson said there were "structural challenges in parts of regional Australia that have brought us to this point".

"What is playing out here is not unique to WIN or to these communities," the spokesperson said.

"It reflects the commercial realities that every regional broadcaster in Australia is grappling with right now."

The spokesperson said free-to-air television remained "the most trusted broadcast medium available" to regional Australians.

"Short-term commercial agreements alone will not secure the future of regional broadcasting," they said.

"Finding a sustainable long-term solution will require the industry and government working together and WIN will continue to play its part in that conversation."

Free-to-air services in Mount Gambier, the Riverland and Griffith have faced an uphill battle in recent times.

Last year, the Seven Network disappeared from televisions for four days when it and WIN failed to renew their expiring agreement.

In the Victorian town of Mildura, Channel 10 became unavailable after Mildura Digital Television, which was owned by WIN and Seven West Media, was shut down.

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