With Ten Network poised to launch its 24-hour sports channel, One, the chief executive of dominant pay-TV operator Foxtel has played down its impact on the Fox Sports channels. Kim Williams, Foxtel chief executive, told press that he welcomed the competition, and that, given the current economic crisis, he did not expect sports rights costs to escalate dramatically. Australia’s free-to-air networks are entering the multichannel space via the Freeview platform, with a total of 15 channels expected. Pay-TV penetration is currently about 30 percent.