The battle for your eyeballs is beginning, and Seven, which has paid through the nose for Olympic exclusivity, is entitled to certain access that Nine is trying to muscle in on.
The IOC has confirmed an official complaint has been lodged by Seven about Nine filming and interviewing Australian swimmers within the Water Cube venue yesterday.
It is understood a film crew from Today Tonight and high profile sport presenter Jim Wilson informed Australian swim team media director Ian Hanson about the breach. Hanson instructed Nine, a non rights broadcaster, to leave the venue.
Channel Nine reporter Damian Ryan confirmed the incident took place. “It was an innocent thing and no harm was meant by it,” Ryan said. “We have given a commitment to not run the footage and we have apologised to the IOC.”
A Channel 7 source claimed they have footage of Channel 9 staff admitting they have also entered the Bird’s Nest venue in recent days.
An IOC meeting is currently being held, with the matter high on the agenda.
Under IOC laws only rights holders can film and broadcast within Olympic venues.
Ryan really should have known better, after all Nine will be entitled to the same when Nine has the Olympics in 2012.
Source: The Age
