According to the Herald Sun, Foxtel’s chief Richard Freudenstein said anti-siphoning regulations, which ensure key sporting events are broadcast on free-to-air TV, have hurt competition in the industry. The anti-siphoning law in Australia sets out a list of events that should be available free to the general public, including the Olympics, the Australian Open tennis, NRL and AFL games and cricket test matches played in Australia.

The report adds that Freudenstein said allowing Foxtel to compete for the rights to top sporting events would ensure more money for sporting codes, and that while anti-siphoning rules cannot be eliminated, the number of events on the list should decrease. The government should consider splitting FTA and pay-TV rights, he added.