Following the conclusion of extended negotiations for non-commercial radio rights for Beijing Olympics broadcast, 702 ABC Sydney audiences will not share in the full commentary of this year’s games with the rest of the ABC Local Radio national network.

While the other 59 metropolitan and regional stations of ABC Local Radio will enjoy full commentary from the experienced Grandstand sports broadcast team in Beijing this August, 702 ABC Sydney will not have the same access following the decision of commercial radio rights holder 2GB to exclude the station in the deal.



Editor, ABC Radio Sport Peter Longman today said “We’re extremely disappointed that despite our efforts to secure access to full Games commentary for 702 ABC Sydney audiences, we were unsuccessful. This breaks the hitherto long held record of broadcasting commentary from every Olympics in the modern era to the whole country.”

Sydney audiences will still have Olympics news, results and reports of all the Games action through the 702 ABC Sydney program teams and the trusted, quality range of news and current affairs programs - AM, The World Today and PM. Further, full reports and results will be available at abc.net.au/olympics. It is the daily live commentary to be broadcast from ABC Local Radio’s highly experienced Grandstand sports team that will not however be available in Sydney.

Longman said “We’re currently finalising technical arrangements for the Olympics and knocking out a metropolitan market such as Sydney from our national network presents major technical and scheduling challenges. We’re pleased however that all Local Radio stations in regional NSW are not affected by the 702 ABC Sydney exclusion and will have full commentary coverage.”

ABC Local Radio through its Grandstand programming maintains a strong commitment to broadcasting a full range of major national and international sporting events. Over the next couple of years audiences across Australia will enjoy comprehensive coverage of:

2008 Australia/India Test series
2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 NRL & Rubgy Union
2008/09 AFL

2009 Ashes Test series
2009 World 20/20
2009 Womens World Cup Cricket
2009/10 Australian Open Tennis
2011 Cricket World Cup