Gout Gout sparks TV frenzy as Channel 9 splashes $500k to pick up world titles, alongside SBS

Teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout has sparked a $500,000 TV war with an unprecedented two Australian networks now planning to cover the world athletics championships in Tokyo.

Gout Gout has sparked a TV war with an unprecedented two Australian networks now covering the world athletics championships in Tokyo.

The box office appeal of the 17-year-old sprint sensation has seen Channel Nine make the surprise move of swooping in and joining SBS in covering the September event.

Government broadcaster SBS, who regularly covers the track and field world titles, revealed in April they’d brought in legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney, who has a close relationship with Gout, over from Channel 7 to host its Tokyo coverage.

But they only had “non-exclusive” rights which allowed Nine to come in over the top with industry sources saying the rights deal would have cost around $500,000.

Gout will make his major championships debut in Toyko, racing in the 200m against defending champion US superstar Noah Lyles and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

Teen sensation Gout Gout will make his major championships debut against the likes of Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo. Picture: AFP

The final of the 200m is on at 11pm AEST on Friday September 19 which would slot in perfectly after Nine’s NRL finals coverage.

Gout has proven to be a major TV ratings success with Seven reaping the benefits this year with their interest led by network owner Kerry Stokes who spent an hour getting to know the schoolboy star in December, shortly after he’d broken Peter Norman’s 56-year-old Australian 200m record.

Seven put Gout in prime time on its main channel for the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in March with the event drawing a huge audience with a national reach of 1.21 million viewers on free-to-air television.

It was a similar tale for the Stawell Gift with Seven recording bumper figures thanks to Gout making it through to the semi-finals on Easter Monday.

Nine revealed its world championships plans during the broadcast of Wednesday night’s State Of Origin in Perth where hometown hero, Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, appeared on the panel.

Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gout are among the stars of Australia’s sudden surge in sprint sensations. Picture: Getty Images

Kennedy, who shared the world title with American Katie Moon in Budapest in 2023, is recovering from hamstring surgery but confident she will be ready to compete in September.

“The state of Australian Athletics has never been stronger with a suite of defending world champions and emerging superstars primed and ready to take on the very best from across the planet,“ Nine Director of Sport Brent Williams said.

“Wide World of Sports is excited to be the home of this premium sporting event and look forward to bringing every thrilling moment to all of Australia across the screens of the 9Network and 9Now.”

SBS reacted quickly to Nine’s move, pointing out they were committed to covering every minute of every session at the championships.

“SBS Sport’s plans for its broadcast of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 remain unchanged,” SBS Director of Sport Ken Shipps said.

“SBS is proud to have provided comprehensive coverage of the World Athletics Championships across ten editions since 2001.

“We will be broadcasting every minute of every session from Tokyo across multiple platforms, with the doyen of athletics commentators Bruce McAvaney guiding and informing our audience through the nine-day program of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Originally published as Gout Gout sparks TV frenzy as Channel 9 splashes $500k to pick up world titles, alongside SBS