How to watch World Test Championship final: TV anti-siphoning rules won’t be reviewed for years

The rule which stopped Australia’s quest for the World Test Championship being shown on free-to-air television won’t be reviewed for years despite growing anger from fans.

The controversial rule which has stopped hundreds of thousands of Australians watching their team in the World Test Championship Final will be reviewed — but not for another two years.

Channel 7 lobbied hard with the Federal Government for the WTC Final against South Africa to be added to the anti-siphoning list but their pleas fell on deaf ears with streaming service Prime Video retaining the exclusive rights as the only place fans can watch Pat Cummins’ team play.

As Marnus Labuschagne was taking the field on night one fighting to save his place in the team and propel Australia to a historic WTC title defence, fans back home were taking to social media to vent their anguish at being blacked out of watching a major world event.

The contentious technicality which has frustrated Channel 7 is that had Australia been playing England – or possibly even India – in the Final rather than South Africa, the Government would have been compelled to make the Test available for free-to-air broadcasters to bid for the rights as well.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada caused havoc on day one — but plenty of Aussies didn’t see it happen.

Mitch Starc appeals for a wicket.

Instead, Prime is the only place Australians can catch the action which airs at the dream 7.30pm timeslot on the east coast.

Whether Australia’s opponent should have any bearing on the importance of a World Cup Final being available to Australian viewers for the country’s national sport is an argument the Government has vowed to review before the ODI World Cup Final – also exclusively owned by Prime Video – arrives in 2027.

“The reformed anti-siphoning scheme and modernised list, commenced on 17 December 2024,” a Government spokesperson said.

“The Broadcasting Services Act provides for the review of the reformed anti-siphoning scheme after two years.

“This will enable an assessment of the reformed scheme at an appropriate point, recognising that technologies and consumer preferences are rapidly evolving.”

Worst thing about Amazon Prime broadcasting the cricket is the lack of highlights on social media. Stinky coverage #WTCFinal

— Eden Richards (@Eden_Richards) June 12, 2025

what does amazon prime know about the beautiful game of cricket anyway

— keisha (@fyfesflyers) June 11, 2025

Can’t watch it. Dont have Amazon Prime and not getting it.

— Chris Chaplin (@ChrisChaplin10) June 12, 2025

Subscribers of Prime have also expressed surprise at the lack of social media preference from the platform with highlights packages and replays.

During the home summers, Fox Cricket and Channel 7 flood social media with wicket replays and dynamic content.

Prime have also elected not to appoint their own panel of experts to preview the day’s play or analyse at the lunch break as a way of putting their own stamp on coverage — happy to just cross straight into the world feed from Lord’s.

Originally published as How to watch World Test Championship final: TV anti-siphoning rules won’t be reviewed for years