‘Confused, angry’: Massive problem with Nine’s $305m Olympics deal

The mystery behind a “confusing” detail in Channel 9’s mega Olympics move has been explained after online criticism.

Patty Mills and Australia celebrates winning the Bronze medal playoff in Tokyo. Pics Adam Head

Channel 9 has faced criticism online over its monster $305m coup to nab the next five Olympics, including the 2032 Brisbane Games.

Long-term partner Channel 7 lost the rights on Wednesday night as Nine announced a deal with the IOC after the stock market had closed.

Nine’s bid of $305m will end Seven’s run of four Games since winning the rights from Nine in 2014 for a reported $200m deal.

Nine will broadcast the next five events, including summer Games in Paris 2024, LA in 2028, and Brisbane 2032, as well as winter Games in Milan 2026 and the as-yet unannounced 2030 event.

However, one detail of the deal has exposed a massive shortcoming with the Paralympics left off the list of events picked up by Nine.

There has been criticism about the Paralympics and Olympics not partnering up, but the TV rights negotiations involving the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) have always traditionally been handled separately.

Paralympics Australia confirmed in a statement on Thursday evening that the rights for future Paralympic Games, including Paris 2024, are still up for grabs.

Fans on social media are calling for Nine to secure a deal immediately.

Gold medallist Madison de Rozario in Tokyo. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images.

Flag bearers Lisa Daniela Di Toro and Ryley Batt of Team Australia during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images.

Former Hockeyroos star Georgie Parker on Thursday night posted on Twitter: “Look, we all love change, its as good as a holiday, BUT confused/angry as to why CH9 haven’t bought the rights to the Paralympics with it.

“It is SO important for visibility and the momentum of the movement to have the same broadcasting partner. They’ve missed a big one here.”

Aussie Paralympics swimmer Rowan Crothers also wrote on social media it makes sense for Nine to lock in a deal.

The two-time Paralympics gold medallist responded to Parker’s tweet writing: “But you are totally right about how important it is for the Paralympic movement to have greater - EQUAL - visibility and exposure

“If CH9 were a smart business they’d see engagement rates for Para sport is extremely high - the Tokyo Para team formed the strongest emotional connection to an audience of any AUS sporting team in history then they’d bid top dollar for broadcast rights.”

Paralympics Australia released a statement to point out the Tokyo Games in 2021 on Channel 7 broke viewership records for the Paralympic movement.

Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said: “The broadcast rights for Paralympic Games are one of the biggest responsibilities we oversee to continue to grow the profile of the Paralympic movement.

Australia had plenty to celebrate at the Tokyo Games. Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images.

“With the Olympic rights confirmed for the next five Olympic Games, our work to secure a broadcast partner for the Paralympic Games now intensifies to ensure our Paralympians are also given the biggest stage possible to connect with Australian audiences and inspire future generations.

“Our negotiations for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games broadcast rights are at a crucial and exciting stage.

“The Australian and global broadcast rights for the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games will be sold by the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee. As a member of the Organising Committee Board and a Games Delivery Partner, Paralympics Australia looks forward to contributing towards successful outcomes from these arrangements at the appropriate time.”

Mike Sneesby, the CEO of Nine, earlier said: “This partnership with the IOC is an important part of Nine’s strategy as we continue to define Australian broadcast and streaming television. We’re delighted to be bringing the Olympic Games to Australian audiences, whenever and however they choose from Paris 2024 to Brisbane in 2032.

“These rights complement our recently renewed partnerships with the NRL and Tennis Australia at a time when live sport continues to demonstrate its ability to drive strong growth in streaming audiences and strength in free-to-air TV consumption. Importantly, this deal enables Nine to make the Olympic Games accessible to all Australia, across more platforms than ever before.

Nine will show all the Aussie gold. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

“For our audiences, advertisers and teams across Australia, today’s announcement brings the Olympic Games home to Nine, and directly reflects our purpose – Australia Belongs Here.”

IOC president Thomas Bach also praised the resurrected partnership.

“Australia is a great sporting nation with a long Olympic history which will be taken to new heights with the hosting of the Olympic Games Brisbane 2032,” Bach said.

“Our new partnership with Nine will ensure Olympic fans across Australia have unparalleled coverage of the Olympic Games on their platform of choice.”

Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman said the International Olympic Committee’s announcement that Nine is the rights holding broadcaster for the decade is great for Australian sport.

“This is exciting to have Nine on board as a long-term broadcaster for our Olympic movement at Games-time. Nine has a well-deserved reputation for high quality sports coverage over many decades,” Chesterman said.

“With the arrangements extending across multiple platforms, Australians will be able to take in all the Games excitement no matter where they are.

“Channel 9 did an outstanding job in London back in 2012 and we know they will give Australians a front-row seat to the exciting performances of our Australian Olympic athletes in Paris next year.

“Paris will provide a spectacular backdrop but once again the real stars will be the athletes – their stories and their performances. Nine will bring all that to life.

“And looking beyond Paris, the Winter Games in Milan-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028 and then our home Games in Brisbane 2032, this is a wonderful green and gold decade for Australian sport.”

The Olympics has a new home in Australia. Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

AOC CEO Matt Carroll said the planning for Paris was already in the works.

“Like sport itself, nothing stands still, and we know that Nine will bring something different and innovative to the 2024 Games coverage, Carroll said.

“The AOC has been working very closely with our member sports to navigate the complexities of getting potentially 470 athletes plus a team of support staff into Paris, providing a world-class high-performance environment and getting everyone home.

“With Nine now confirmed as the Olympic broadcaster in Australia, we are really looking forward to working with Mike Sneesby and the Nine team in bringing the performances of our athletes to everyone back home.

“I would also like to acknowledge the commitment and expertise of the Channel 7 team over many years and thank them for their contribution to the Olympic movement in Australia.”