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Seven Sport
NetworkSeven Network
Launched1957
Country of originAustralia
OwnerSeven West Media
HeadquartersDocklands, Melbourne, Victoria
Major broadcasting contractsAFL
AFLW
NFL
Super Bowl
Commonwealth Games
International Test Cricket
International Women's Cricket
Big Bash League
Women's Big Bash League
Tour Down Under
Supercars Championship
Rugby League World Cup
Sister networkSeven Network
7two
7mate
7plus
Official website7plus.com.au/sport

Seven Sport is the brand and production department under which all sporting events on the Australian Seven Network are broadcast. It broadcasts some of Australia's most prominent sporting events, such as the AFL and cricket, as well as horse racing and motor racing.

Seven Sport previously broadcast tennis (headlined by the Australian Open) and the Olympics & Paralympics for the best part of half a century, exclusively since the early 1970s and Moscow 1980 respectively. Seven lost the broadcast rights to both to arch-rival the Nine Network in 2018 (which commenced a year early in 2019) and 2022 respectively (having broadcast London 2012 in the past and re-commenced with Paris 2024). It caused the biggest ever 'shake-up' of Australian television sports broadcasting with widespread media coverage and public discussion at the time.

History

[edit]

Australian rules football

[edit]
The Seven Sport crew filming a pre-match interview between commentator Cameron Ling and Geelong Cats coach Chris Scott in 2014.

From the first year of television in Australia in 1956 to 2001, Seven was the main broadcaster of the VFL/AFL. From 1974 to 1986 Seven was along with the ABC the main broadcaster of the VFL showing replays and highlights of matches played that Saturday. In 1977 Seven paid the VFL $500,000 to broadcast the Grand Final and a further $500,000 to broadcast the Grand Final Replay also live with the drawn match watch by 1.2 Million viewers at the time the biggest daytime audience in Australia television history. In 1987, after taken over by new ownership from Sydney, HSV-7 lost the VFL rights to Broadcom who on sold the rights in Victoria to the ABC (Broadcom also sold the rights to TVW-7 in Perth) after offering less money compared to the previous year, the rights were regained the next year.

In 2001 the Seven Network announced that after 45 years as the official broadcaster of the VFL/AFL that it would finished its partnership at the end of the season. Nine and Ten entered a joint rights deal with pay TV provider Foxtel to ensure that all eight matches of each round were televised, starting in 2002 and concluding in 2006. At the time and being the only broadcaster, Seven broadcast only one match at a timeslot at a time and showed highlights of other matches that were not broadcast.[1]

On 5 January 2006, Seven regained the rights to the AFL in the following broadcast deal, covering the period between 2007 and 2011 inclusive, in a joint contract with Ten and Foxtel. The cost of the deal was A$780 million, an A$280 million increase on the Nine/Ten/Foxtel 2002-2006 joint broadcast venture.[2][3][4] Under the deal, Seven and Ten alternated the Brownlow Medal ceremonies and the AFL Grand Final;[5] Seven televised the Friday night and Sunday afternoon Premiership season matches, while Ten televised the two Saturday matches and Foxtel televising the rest. Both Seven and Ten alternate in show the NAB Cup Grand Final, the Brownlow Medal count (2007, 2009 and 2011 were shown on Seven) and the AFL Grand Final (2008 and both in 2010).[6]

In 2011, it was announced that Seven and Foxtel would share the football broadcast rights from 2012 to 2016, bringing Ten's 10-year run to an end.[7] Under the new deal, Seven would televise four games per week, and Foxtel would simulcast coverage of Seven's games and broadcast the other five weekly games live and exclusive. Seven televised the entire finals series, with Foxtel simulcasting all finals except for the Grand Final, which was televised live and exclusively by Seven.[8] The deal required Seven to televise all but the Saturday afternoon match live into Victoria and Tasmania; all four games were shown live into the northern states on 7mate and games were shown live or on delay into Western Australia (night matches on 7mate, day matches on Seven) and South Australia (all on Seven) depending on Seven's television schedule.

In 2015, Seven commenced broadcasting the WAFL and VFL showing one match a week and all finals from both competitions that did not clash with AFL games in each market, this followed the previous year where SANFL were being broadcast on under the same agreement. For both the WAFL and SANFL, it was the first time since 1987 that each league were broadcast on Seven with all three being on Seven after long association with the ABC ending the previous year.

Also announced in 2015 that Seven would again be the sole free-to-air broadcaster of AFL matches, for the period between 2017 and 2022. Under the deal, Seven no longer televises the Saturday afternoon match into Victoria, however, matches in this timeslot involving interstate teams continue to be televised into their respective markets.[9][10] Controversially, however, up to three matches involving each of all four of the Western Australia and South Australia clubs (the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide) are televised on a significant delay, with the telecast starting after the final siren has gone in real time.[11][12][13]

Under a revised deal (post COVID-19) agreement, Channel Seven will show up to five matches per week live on their networks, with Fox Sports broadcasting each and every game on either a Fox Footy or Fox Sports 503. Two matches of both the Eagles and Dockers in WA and one match of both the Crows and Power in SA was shown on a significant delay in the shortened 2020 season. On June 11 the AFL and the Seven Network extended its current agreement until 2022 for an extra two until the end of 2024 with the deal virtually the same as the original one signed prior to 2017.[14]

Seven Sport's Luke Hodge, Kane Cornes and Bruce McAvaney during the 2025 AFL season

In 2022, Seven was again announced as the sole free-to-air broadcaster of AFL matches, for the period between 2025 and 2031. Under the deal, Seven will broadcast Thursday Night Football for the first 15 rounds of each season. However, they will not broadcast any Saturday Night matches until the final right rounds of the home-and-away season into Victoria.

This changed however, ahead of the 2025 season started, when it was announced that there would be Thursday night matches in all bar two rounds of the season with Seven to broadcast selected Sunday Night games throughout the season instead of Saturday Nights. This meant that there weren’t any Saturday matches were broadcast into Victoria, Tasmania or the Northern Territory, these arrangements differ outside of those states, where every local team's match will be broadcast on free-to-air, though matches that fell on a Saturday in the first third of the season involving the Western Australia and South Australia clubs along with the New South Wales and Queensland clubs unlike previously, will be on a delay in their local market, similar to the previous deal but on a two-hour delay instead of three, after this stage matches will be shown live. Seven will continue to broadcast weekly Friday Night and Sunday Afternoon matches and for the first were able to live stream matches on their 7plus streaming platform.

In total, Seven produces an average of 3.5 matches a round in the AFL and AFLW seasons and 81 matches in the AFL home-and-away season overall, all AFL and AFLW finals and have exclusive rights to the AFL and AFLW grand finals and the Brownlow Medal count.[15]

Olympics

[edit]

The network's coverage of the 2000 Sydney Olympics attracted a TV audience of over 6.5 million Australians for the opening and closing ceremonies. The broadcast also ran on the short-lived C7 Sport subscription channel.

During its time as the broadcaster of the Olympic Games, it has won the Olympic Golden Rings for the Best Television coverage for the best television programme during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.[16]

During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Seven and NBC Universal were the major recipients of the Golden Rings; with Seven taking the Golden Rings for the best Olympic Programme, the Silver Rings for the best Olympic feature (NBC Universal received the Golden Rings), and the Bronze Rings for the Best Sports Coverage (behind SRG Switzerland and YLE Finland).[17]

During Seven's coverage of the XXIX Olympiad, numerous complaints by the general Australian public were made to the Seven Network for several reasons, including the lack of a broadcast of events to which Australia is not competing in, too many advertisements and at inappropriate times during events and poor commentating of events. There has also been media speculation about the editing of Olympic events by Seven; how live sound from events is faded and the commentary sound is the prominent sound feature.

Seven had exclusive Australian free-to-air, pay television, online and mobile telephony broadcast rights to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The live telecast of the XXIX Olympiad was shared by both the Seven Network and SBS Television. Seven broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies and mainstream sports including swimming, athletics, rowing, cycling and gymnastics. In stark contrast, SBS TV provided complementary coverage focused on long-form events such as soccer, road cycling, volleyball, and table tennis.[18]

Seven's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics was widely criticised by viewers, with many angry at the networks contractual obligation to show AFL football over the Olympics. Viewers also complained that many team sports were delayed, with the absence of Roy and HG and with seemingly large amounts of advertising breaks during live events upsetting some viewers.[19] Despite this, the International Olympic Committee awarded Seven the 'Golden Rings' award for "Best Olympic Programme". The award is given for the best overall Olympic coverage.[20]

From 2016, Seven once again became the home of the Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games and the Summer Paralympic Games until 2022.[21] In October 2020, the Seven Network announced it would be the home of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. [22]

Commonwealth Games

[edit]

Seven screened the 2002 Commonwealth Games from Manchester and were the official broadcaster of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on home soil on the Gold Coast in April 2018.[23] In July 2022, Seven also broadcast the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. In 2025, the Seven Network has announced it has signed an exclusive agreement with Commonwealth Sport to become the official Australian broadcast media partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August, and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, for which the host selection process conducted by Commonwealth Sport is currently in progress.[24]

Motor racing

[edit]

From 1963 to 1997, Seven was the home of motor sport in Australia as they broadcast the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and the Bathurst 1000. Seven were the first broadcasters to use race cam in the 1979 Bathurst 1000, which allowed them to talk to the drivers mid-race.

The Seven commentary team included Evan Green, Will Hagon and Geoff Stone (late 60s to the mid 70s). It included Mike Raymond from 1977 to 1995 and Garry Wilkinson from 1978 to 1996 (V8 1000). Neil Crompton reporting from the pits from around 1985, Mark Oastler (1989–1996), Doug Mulray (1988–1994), Allan Moffat (1985–1996, V8 1000) and as a pit reporter Andy Raymond (early 90s). At the Bathurst 1000, Sandy Roberts or Bruce McAvaney would be the host during the early to mid 1990s.

In 1997, Seven lost the rights to the ATCC to Network Ten, but still broadcast the Australian Super Touring Championship until the series' demise in 2001. In 2003, Seven Sport broadcast the Nations Cup and V8 Utes, before Network Ten broadcast the V8 Utes in 2005 after the collapse of organising body Procar Australia.

From 2007 to 2014, Seven regained the rights to V8 Supercars. The commentary team included Neil Crompton, Mark Skaife and Mark Larkham. From 2015, Seven Sport broadcasts the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race.

In 2020, Seven regained the TV rights to the Supercars Championship, sharing the rights with Foxtel in a deal worth $200 million for 5 years (2021-2025). The new deal has Seven Sport show seven rounds of the Supercars Championship live and showing highlights of the rounds it is not able to televise.[25]

Cricket

[edit]

On 13 April 2018, Cricket Australia announced that the Seven Network had acquired free-to-air media rights to a package of events beginning in the 2018–19 season, under a six-year contract as part of a consortium with Foxtel. Seven would broadcast coverage of all test matches, Women's internationals, 43 Big Bash League matches per-season, and 23 Women's Big Bash League matches per-season. All events would be shared with the newly established Fox Cricket channel. This ended Nine's 45-year run as television rightsholder of international cricket in Australia.[26]

In September 2020, it was reported that Seven was attempting to exit its contract, citing an alleged breach of contract surrounding the scheduling of the 2020–21 season, and that the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia would diminish the quality of the 2020–21 Big Bash League season (violating a contractual obligation for the quality of events carried by Seven to meet that of the previous season).[27][28][29] In November 2020, Seven lodged an affidavit in the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne, seeking access to communications with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in regards to scheduling changes for India's 2020–21 tour of Australia. Seven took issue with the ODIs being moved to the start of the series rather than the test matches (which will be the final event of the series) as they would be exclusive to Fox Cricket, and the final test would overlap the end of the holiday season, reducing potential viewership. Seven West Media CEO James Warburton argued that "there aren't many sports that would launch their season behind a paywall", and that the broadcaster wanted to be "fairly compensated for the value reduction caused by the changes to the schedule and other changes."[30][31]

Despite its previous threats of legal action, it was announced on 3 January 2023 that had the Seven Network with Foxtel had signed a seven-year contract from the 2024–25 to 2030–31 Australian cricket seasons. Under the deal Seven continued to broadcast every home men’s test match and home women’s international, while the number of Big Bash League match was reduced with Seven showing 33 of the 40 regular season matches and every final and at least 23 matches in the Women’s Big Bash League season and every final. Legal proceedings that Seven had subsequently was dropped.[32]

Seven Network broadcast the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final as part of the deal with the ICC. IN 2025, Seven secured the right to broadcast the 2025 Australian Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Rugby League

[edit]

In 2016, the Seven Network won the broadcasting rights deal to be the main broadcaster of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, beating the other regular rugby league broadcasting channels of Fox League and the Nine Network to secure the deal.[33] In October 2025, it was announced Seven had secured the 2026 Rugby League World Cup and re-establish itself as the home of global rugby league action, uniting fans from across the nation. Rugby League will make its comeback to the Seven Network for the first time since 2017, with the broadcaster securing exclusive Australian rights to air the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026) live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.[34]

Theme

[edit]

Seven Sport has used "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer as its theme since 1989. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Seven used the music piece for Sporting events such as: AFL, Australian Open and Australian Touring Car Championship. Up until 2011, an abridged version of the opening fanfare was used. The music piece returned for introductions of the networks sporting coverage since 2018 AFL Grand Final with a version of the Fanfare for the Common Man being used for all sporting coverage including AFL, Cricket, Horse Racing and Motorsport.

Events

[edit]

Seven Sport holds broadcast rights to the following events:

Current

[edit]
Sport Event Broadcast partner(s) Date Notes
American football National Football League ESPN 2014–present 3 games a round shown live on 7mate and 7plus every Monday morning and Friday afternoon. Most playoff and championship matches shown live.
American football Super Bowl ESPN 2015–present Live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus.
Australian rules football Australian Football League ABC Sport (1957–1986), Sports AFL (1995–1999), C7 Sport (1999–2001), Network Ten (2007–2011), Fox Sports (2007–2011), Fox Footy (2012–present) 1957–1986, 1988–2001, 2007–present Average of 3.5 live matches per Round and 81 matches overall shown on 7 or 7mate and 7plus. Average of 1 Thursday Night, 1 Friday Night and 1 Sunday Afternoon match most Rounds and all Monday and marquee matches shown live. Matches involving QLD, NSW, SA and WA teams shown into those states respected live or on a two hour delay. All finals shown Live including Grand Final which is shown exclusively live.
Australian rules football AFL Women's Fox Footy 2017–present Average of 2.5 live matches per Round and around 40 matches overall on 7 or 7mate and 7plus. Matches involving QLD, NSW, SA and WA teams shown into those states shown live. All finals including Grand Final shown Live.
Australian rules football E. J. Whitten Legends Game 2016–2019, 2025–present
Australian rules football South Australian National Football League 1965–1987, 2014–present 1 live match in Adelaide per Round. All finals including the grand final shown live.
Australian rules football West Australian Football League 1960's–1987, 2015–present 1 live match in Perth per Round. Most finals and the Grand Final shown live.
Athletics Australian Track and Field Championships 2024–present Coverage on Saturdays live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus.
Commonwealth Games Manchester 2002, Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022, Glasgow 2026, Amdavad 2030 7plus (2018, 2022, 2026, 2030) 2002, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030
Cricket Men's Test Matches in Australia Fox Cricket 2018–present Every Test Match live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus.
Cricket Women's Test Matches in Australia Fox Cricket 2018–present Every Match live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus.
Cricket Women's One-day International Matches in Australia Fox Cricket 2018–present Every Match live on 7 or 7mate 7plus.
Cricket Women's Twenty20 International Matches in Australia Fox Cricket 2018–present Every Match live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus.
Cricket ICC World Test Championship 2023–present Live on 7 and 7plus
Cricket Big Bash League Fox Cricket 2018–present 30 of 40 regular season matches live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus. All finals including the grand final shown live.
Cricket Women's Big Bash League Fox Cricket 2018–present 20 of 40 regular season matches shown live on 7 or 7mate and 7plus. All finals including the grand final shown live.
Cricket Major League Cricket 2025–present Live on 7plus and final only on 7mate
Cycling Tour Down Under 2019–present
Field Hockey Hockey One 2023–present live on 7plus
Field Hockey Hockeyroos Matches 2023–present live on 7plus
Field Hockey Kookaburras Matches 2023–present live on 7plus
Field Hockey Men's Oceania Cup 2023–present live on 7plus
Field Hockey Women's Oceania Cup 2023–present Live on 7plus
Golf LIV Golf 2023–present Live on 7mate and 7plus
Horse Racing Autumn Racing Carnival Sky Racing 2013–present Live on 7 or 7two and 7plus
Mixed martial arts Bellator MMA UFC TV 2025–present Live coverage of every fight on 7plus
Mixed martial arts One Championship UFC TV 2023–present Live coverage of every fight on 7plus
Motor racing Australian Off Road Championship 2018–present Live on 7mate
Motor racing Australian Rally Championship 2022–present Live on 7mate
Motor racing Bathurst 1000[35] Fox Sports (2021–present) 1963–1999, 2007–2014, 2021–present Live on 7, 7mate and 7plus
Motor racing Supercars Championship formerly Australian Touring Car Championship Speed (Highlights, 2014)
Fox Sports (2021–present) 		1963–1996, 2007–2014, 2021–present Live on 7, 7mate and 7plus
Motor racing SuperUtes Series Speed (Highlights, 2014)
Fox Sports (2021–present) 		2003–2004, 2007–2014, 2021–present Live on 7mate
Motor racing TCR Australia Touring Car Series[36] 2020–present Live on 7mate
Motor racing World Rally Championship 2020–present Live on 7mate
Rugby League Rugby League World Cup 7plus (2026) 2013, 2017, 2026 Live on 7, 7mate & 7plus
Rugby league Women's Rugby League World Cup 7plus (2026) 2017,

2026

Live on 7, 7mate & 7plus
Rugby league Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 7plus (2026) 2026 Live on 7, 7mate & 7plus
Surfing World Surf League[37] 2020–present Live on 7mate

Past

[edit]
Sport Event Broadcast partners(s) Dates
Summer Olympics Melbourne 1956, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 ABC (1956, 1972, 1976), Nine Network (1956, 1972, 1976), C7 Sport (1996, 2000), Foxtel (2004, 2008), SBS (2004, 2008) 1956, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2021
Winter Olympics Lake Placid 1980, Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, Turin 2006, Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022 Foxtel (2006) 1980, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022
Summer Paralympic Games Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 7plus 2016, 2021
Winter Paralympic Games Beijing 2022 7plus 2022
Australian rules football International Rules Series 1998–2000, 2008-2010, 2013–2015, 2017-2019
Australian rules football Victorian Football League 2015–2025
Basketball NCAA College Basketball 1980s–1990s
Basketball National Basketball League ABT (1988–1991) 1988–1991
Cricket The Ashes in England C7 Sport (2001) 2001, 2005
Cricket Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2025
Cricket 1996/97 Australian tour of South Africa (Test and ODI matches) 1996–1997
Gaelic Football Irish Football League[38] 2014-2016
Gaelic Football All-Ireland Senior Football Championship[38] 2014-2016
Golf Australian Masters 2013–2015
Golf Australian Open Fox Sports 1989–2008, 2012–2019
Golf Australian PGA Championship Fox Sports 2014–2019
Golf Perth International 2013–2015
Golf U.S. Masters 2014–2017
Horse Racing Melbourne Cup Carnival Sky Racing 2002–2018
Horse Racing Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Sky Racing 2002–2006, 2014–2020
Hurling All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship[38] 2014
Motor Racing Australian Off Road Championship 2018
Motor Racing Australian Rally Championship 2018–2019
Motor racing Bathurst 12 Hour[35] Fox Sports (2020–25) 2015–2020, 2022–25
Motor Racing IndyCar Series 2008
Motor Racing NASCAR 1980s–1990s
Motor racing TCR Australia Touring Car Series 2020
Motor Racing World Rally Championship 2018–2019
Rugby League New South Wales Rugby League ABC (1971–1982), Nine Network (1971–1972) 0-10 Network (1973–1979), Network Ten (1980–1982) 1971–1982
Rugby League State of Origin 1980–1982
Rugby League The Kangaroos 1978, 1981–1982, 1991–1993
Rugby League The Ashes 1978, 1982, 1992
Rugby Union Super 12 Fox Sports 1996–2003
Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup Fox Sports 1996–2010
Rugby Union British and Irish Lions Fox Sports 2001
Rugby Union Tri Nations Fox Sports 1996–2010
Rugby Union Wallabies Rugby Internationals Fox Sports 1996–2010
Rugby Union Wallabies Spring Tour Fox Sports 1996–2010
Rugby Union 1999 Rugby World Cup, 2003 Rugby World Cup[39] Fox Sports (2003)[39] 1999, 2003
Rugby Union World Series Rugby Fox Sports (2018) 2018
Rugby Union Shute Shield 2015–2020
Soccer A-League All Stars Game 2013, 2014
Soccer Melbourne Victory v Liverpool Match 2013
Soccer Adelaide United v Villarreal Match 2015
Soccer Matilda's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016
Soccer Sydney FC v Tottenham FC Match 2015
Soccer Perth Glory v Manchester United Match 2019
Soccer Manchester United v Leeds United Match 2019
Soccer National Soccer League[40] C7 Sport (1998–2000), ABC (2001), SBS (2002–2004) 1998–2004
Soccer FIFA World Cup ABC 1974
Soccer FIFA Women's World Cup Optus Sport 2023
Swimming Australian Swimming Championships 2016–2020
Swimming FINA World Aquatics Championships 2015, 2017
Swimming Pan Pacific Swimming Championships 2016–2020
Tennis Australian Open Fox Sports (2003–2009) 1973–2018
Tennis Davis Cup Fox Sports (2001–2016), beIN Sports (2017–2018) 1973–2018
Tennis Fed Cup[41] Fox Sports (2015–2016), beIN Sports (2017–2018) 2015–2018
Tennis Hopman Cup 1989–1994, 2014–2018
Tennis Kooyong Classic 1988–2018
Tennis Sydney International 2000s–2018
Tennis Brisbane International 2009–2018
Tennis French Open 2002–2005
Tennis Melbourne Indoor 1980–1985
Tennis Wimbledon[42] 2011–2020
Tennis US Open 2004–2007
Yachting Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2005–2023

Programs

[edit]

Seven Sport has presented the following recurring programmes:

Current

Sport (event) Program Date
Australian rules football (AFL) The Front Bar 2016–present
Australian rules football (AFL) Friday Night Countdown 2015–present
Australian rules football (AFL) Armchair Experts 2018–present
Australian rules football (AFL) The Crows Show 2015–present
Australian rules football (AFL) FootyPlus 2018–present
Australian rules football (AFL) The Game 2018–present
Cricket The Grade Cricketer 2019–present (7mate)
Cricket The Spin 2021–present (7plus)
American football (NFL) Armchair Experts (NFL Edition) 2020–present
Australian rules football (AFL) Sunday Footy Fest 2021–present
Australian rules football (AFL) Heater and Daisy Show 2021–present (7plus)
Motorsport Supercars 101 2021–present (7plus)
Motorsport 7th Gear 2021–present (7mate)

Past

Sport (event) Program Date
All World of Sport 1959–1987
All Sportsworld 1988–2006
All Santo, Sam and Ed's Sports Fever! 2012
All Road to Rio 2016
Australian rules football (AFL) The Bounce 2010
Australian rules football (AFL) Rex's Footy Panel 1994–2003
Australian rules football (AFL) The Club 2002
Motor Racing (V8 Supercars) V8Xtra 2007–2014
Motor Racing (V8 Supercars) Friday Night Live 2012–2014
Motor Racing (Historical) Shannons Legends of Motorsport 2014–2015
Rugby league (NRL) The Matty Johns Show 2010
Australian rules football (AFL) AFL Game Day 2008–2020
Australian rules football (AFL) Talking Footy 1994–2004
2013–2020
Australian rules football (AFL) The Kick 2017–2019
Australian rules football (AFL) Four Quarters 2017–2019
Australian rules football (AFL) Sunday Soapbox 2016–2019

Staff and commentators

[edit]

The following network personalities are seen across multiple Seven Sport events:

  • Bruce McAvaney (chief commentator, all sports; member since 1989)
  • Johanna Griggs (host, Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Australian Open; member since 1994)
  • Hamish McLachlan (host, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Australian Open; presenter AFL, Melbourne Cup, cricket; member since 2008)
  • Jason Richardson (host, cricket and Australian Open; presenter Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Melbourne Cup; member since 2014)
  • Mel McLaughlin (host, Olympics, cricket and Australian Open; presenter Commonwealth Games, Melbourne Cup; member since 2016)
  • James Brayshaw (commentator, AFL, Cricket; member since 2018)

Olympic Games

[edit]

Tokyo 2020

[edit]

Rio 2016

[edit]

Most Seven programs, except Sunrise and The Chase Australia, went on hiatus during Seven's broadcast of the Olympic Games.[43]

Beijing 2008

[edit]

Paralympic Games

[edit]

Rio 2016

[edit]

Commonwealth Games

[edit]

Gold Coast 2018

[edit]

Australian Rules Football

[edit]

As Seven is forced to show viewers in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland games featuring their respective teams live, sometimes it will show a different game at the same time into these markets then into the rest of Australia. On these occasions, it will pick up Fox Footy's coverage of the match.

AFL

[edit]

Current Play-by-play Callers

Current Expert Commentators

Boundary riders

Current Journalists

  • Ryan Daniels (2020–present)
  • Mitch Cleary (2022–present) – Chief Football Reporter
  • Theo Doropoulos (2024–present)
  • Kate Massey (2024–present)
  • Xander McGuire (2025–present)

Current Shows

Past Callers/Expert Commentator/Journalist/Reporter

AFL Women's

[edit]

Seven broadcast the AFL Women's Exhibition Matches between 2015 and 2016 before becoming the inaugural FTA broadcaster of the AFLW in 2017.

Current

  • Alister Nicholson (2022–present) (Host/Caller)
  • Jason Bennett (2015–present) (Host/Caller)
  • Nigel Carmody (2017–present) (Host/Caller)
  • Jo Wotton (2020–present) (Caller)
  • Theo Doropoulos (2024–present) (Caller)
  • Jack Heverin (2025–present) (Caller)
  • Abbey Holmes (2016–present) (Host/Expert Commentator)
  • Erin Phillips (2024–present) (Expert/Field Commentator)
  • Kate McCarthy (2024–present) (Expert Commentator)
  • Mel Hickey (2021–present) (Expert Commentator)
  • Libby Birch (2022–present) (Expert Commentator)
  • Nat Edwards (2018–present) (Host/Field Commentator)
  • Kate Massey (2024–present) (Host/Field Commentator)
  • Sarah Olle (2023–present) (Host/Field Commentator)
  • Andrew McCormack (2025–present) (Field Commentator)
  • Alissa Ballin (2024–present) (Field Commentator QLD)
  • Hànni Howe (2025–present) (Field Commentator SA)
  • Dani Shuey (2019–2020, 2025–present) (Field Commentator WA)

Past

  • Andy Maher (2017) (Host)
  • Tegan Higginbotham (2017) (Host)
  • Lawrence Mooney (2017) (Host)
  • Abbey Gelmi (2020–2024) (Host)
  • Lauren Arnell (2017–2018) (Expert Commentator)
  • Katie Brennan (2017) (Expert Commentator)
  • Alana Smith-Fagan (2017) (Field Commentator)
  • Peta Searle (2017–2019) (Expert Commentator)
  • Daisy Pearce (2017–2023) (Expert Commentator)
  • Basil Zempilas (2020) (Caller)
  • Georgie Parker (2019–2020) (Expert Commentator)
  • Emma Kearney (2019–2020) (Expert Commentator)
  • Mark Readings (2019–2020) (Field Commentator WA Games)
  • Jacqui Felgate (2019–2022) (Host/Field Commentator)
  • Josie Fielding (2021–2023) (Field Commentator QLD Games)
  • Nathan Jones (2022–2024) (Expert Commentator)
  • Chelsea Randall (2018–2024) (Expert Commentator)
  • Anna Hay (2022–2024) (Field Commentator WA Games)
  • Ryan Daniels (2020–2024) (Field Commentator WA Games)

EJ Whitten Legends Game

[edit]

International Rules Series

[edit]

Victorian Football League

[edit]

Current

  • Jason Bennett (2015–present) (Host/Caller)
  • Nigel Carmody (2015–present) (Caller)
  • Campbell Brown (2015–present) Expert Commentator)
  • Libby Birch (2022–present) (Field Commentator)

Past

  • Alicia Eva (2017) (Field Commentator)
  • Tristan Foenander (2017) (Field Commentator)
  • Lauren Arnell (2016–2019) (Field Commentator/Expert Commentator)
  • Nathan Templeton (2017–2019) (Field Commentator)
  • Michael Barlow(2019–2021) (Expert Commentator)
  • Abbey Gelmi (2021) (Host)
  • Abbey Holmes (2016–2018, 2021) (Field Commentator/Analysis)
  • Georgie Parker (2019, 2021) (Analysis)
  • Adam Cooney (2021) (Analysis)
  • Heath Shaw (2021) (Analysis)

WAFL

[edit]

Current

Past

  • Dennis Cometti (1984–1987, 2017–2020) (Caller/Expert Commentator)
  • Bob Miller (1970s–1986) (Caller)
  • John Rogers (1976–1987) (Caller)
  • Harvey Deegan (1977–1982) (Caller)
  • Peter Ensell (1970s–1987) (Caller)
  • Eric Sarich (1970s–1987) (Expert Commentator)
  • Percy Johnson (1980s) (Caller/Expert Commentator)
  • Frank Sparrow (1970s–1987) (Caller)
  • Arthur Marshall (1970s–1986) (Caller/Expert Commentator)
  • Nick Rynne (2015) (Field Commentator)
  • Cassie Silver (2015) (Field Commentator)
  • Peter Bell (2016–2018) (Expert Commentator)
  • Paul Hasleby (2016–2018) (Expert Commentator)
  • Andrew Embley (2015–2016) (Expert Commentator)

SANFL

[edit]

Current

  • Mark Soderstrom (2014–present) (Host/Caller)
  • John Casey (2014–present) (Caller)
  • Tim Ginever (2014–present) (Expert Commentator)
  • Rhett Biglands (2016–present) (Expert Commentator/Field Commentator)
  • Andrew Hayes (2018–present) (Field Commentator)

Past

  • Rick Keegan (1980s) Host
  • Bob Jervis (1980s) (Commentator)
  • Blair Schwartz (1980s) (Commentator)
  • Ian Day (1980s) (Commentator)
  • Bruce McAvaney (1980s) (Commentator)
  • Peter Marker (1980s) (Commentator)
  • Alana Smith-Fagan (2016–2017) (Field Commentator)
  • Tom Wilson (2015–2017) (Field Commentator)

Cricket

[edit]

Australian Men's Test Cricket

[edit]

Current

International Expert Commentators

Past

Women's International Matches

[edit]

Current

Past

Big Bash League

[edit]

Current

  • Mel McLaughlin (Host) (2018/19–present)
  • Abbey Gelmi (Host) (2018/19–present)
  • Erin Holland (Host/Boundary Commentator) (2019/20–present)
  • Andy Maher (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–present)
  • Jason Richardson (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–present)
  • James Brayshaw (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–present)
  • Alister Nicholson (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–present)
  • Ricky Ponting (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Damien Fleming (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Greg Blewett (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Brad Hodge (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Lisa Sthalekar (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Trent Copeland (Expert Commentator) (2019/20—present)
  • Callum Ferguson (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Glenn Maxwell (Expert Commentator) (2020/21–present)
  • Marcus Stoinis (Expert Commentator (2020/21–present)
  • Aaron Finch (Expert Commentator (2021/22–present)
  • Andre Russell (Expert Commentator (2021/22–present)
  • Ashton Agar (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Andrew Gaze (Guest Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Sam Billings (Guest Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Will Pucovski (Guest Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Holly Ferling (Expert Commentator/Boundary Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Ryan Daniels (Perth Boundary Commentator) (2020/21–present)
  • Theo Doropoulos (Adelaide Boundary Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Elyse Villani (Expert Commentator/Tasmania Boundary Commentator) (2019/20, 2021/22–present)
  • Nazeem Hussain (Guest Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Dirk Nannes (Expert Commentator) (2018/19, 2021/22–present)
  • Justin Langer (Expert Commentator) (2022/23–present)

Past

  • Amelia Mulcahy (Adelaide Boundary Commentator) (2018/19–2019/20)
  • Tom Cooper (Tasmania Boundary Commentator) (2018/19–2019/20)
  • Ryan Daniels (Perth Boundary Commentator) (2018/19–2019/20)
  • Brian Lara (Expert Commentator) (2020/21)
  • Brendon McCullum (Expert Commentator) (2019/20)
  • Tim Paine (Expert Commentator) (2019/20)
  • Phil Tufnell (Expert Commentator) (2018/19)
  • Sam McClure (Boundary Commentator) (2018/19–2019/20)
  • Jim Wilson (Host/Boundary Commentator) (2018/19–2019/20)
  • Michael Slater (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–2020/21)
  • Natalie Yoannidis (2022/23)

Women's Big Bash League

[edit]

Current

  • Abbey Gelmi (Host) (2018/19–present)
  • Erin Holland (Host) (2021/22–present)
  • Andy Maher (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–2019/20, 2021/22–present)
  • Jason Richardson (Host/Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2018/19–2019/20, 2021/22–present)
  • Lisa Sthalekar (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Brad Hodge (Expert Commentator) (2018/19–present)
  • Alister Nicholson (Ball-by-Ball Caller) (2021/22–present)
  • Kristen Beams (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Emma Inglis (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Callum Ferguson (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Kirby Short (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Emily Smith (Expert Commentator) (2021/22–present)
  • Ryan Daniels (Boundary Commentator) (2021/22–present)

Past

Other Cricket presenters

[edit]

Tennis

[edit]

Final

[edit]

Wimbledon

Davis Cup

Past

Horse Racing

[edit]

Present

Past

Motor Racing

[edit]

Supercars Championship

[edit]

Current

  • Mark Beretta (Host/Commentator/Pit reporter, 2007–2014, 2021–present)
  • Abbey Gelmi (Host, 2021–present)
  • Neil Crompton (Host/Commentator/V8 Xtra Host, 2007–2014, 2021–present)
  • Mark Skaife (Commentator, 2009–2014, 2021–present)
  • Mark Larkham (Pit reporter/Expert Analysis, 2008–2014, 2021–present)
  • Chad Neylon (Support category commentator, 2013–2014, 2021–present)
  • Molly Taylor (Pit reporter, 2021–present)
  • Jack Perkins (Expert Commentator, 2021–present)
  • Brad Hodge (Reporter, 2021–present)
  • Chris Stubbs (Reporter, 2021–present)
  • Craig Lowndes (Expert Commentator, 2021–present)
  • Garth Tander (Expert Commentator, 2021–present)
  • Charli Robinson (Reporter, 2021–present)
  • Riana Crehan (Pit Reporter, 2022–present)

Past

Bathurst 12 Hour

[edit]
  • Mark Beretta (Host/Pit reporter, 2015–2020, 2022–present)
  • Chris Stubbs (Host/Pit reporter, 2020)
  • Neil Crompton (Host, 2020)
  • Richard Craill (Commentator, 2015–2020, 2022–present)
  • Garth Tander (Commentator, 2022–present)
  • Graham Goodwin (Commentator, 2015–2017)
  • Jonny Palmer (Commentator, 2018–2020)
  • Matt Naulty (Commentator, 2022–present)
  • John Hindhaugh (Commentator, 2015–2020, 2023–present)
  • Shea Adam (Pit reporter, 2015–2020, 2023–present)
  • Chad Neylon (Pit reporter, 2016–2020, 2022–present)
  • Briony Ingerson (Reporter, 2017–2019, 2022–present)
  • Charli Robinson (Pit reporter, 2020, 2022)
  • Alex Hart (Reporter, 2018–2019)

TCR Australia & GT World Challenge Australia

[edit]
  • Mark Beretta (Host, 2020–2021)
  • Abbey Gelmi (Host, 2020–2021)
  • Richard Craill (Commentator, 2020–2021)
  • Greg Rust (Commentator, 2020–2021)
  • Matt Naulty (Commentator, 2020–2021)
  • Chris Stubbs (Commentator, Pit reporter, 2020–2021)
  • Cameron van den Dungen (Commentator, 2020)
  • Molly Taylor (Pit reporter, 2020–2021)
  • Jack Perkins (Pit reporter, 2020–2021)
  • Jess Dane (Pit reporter, 2020–2021)

Rugby League

[edit]

2017 Rugby League World Cup

[edit]

Golf

[edit]

Current

Past

Swimming

[edit]

Stawell Gift

[edit]

Current

Past

Rugby Union

[edit]

Rugby World Series

[edit]

Soccer

[edit]

2002/2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (inter-confederation play-offs)

[edit]

Manchester United vs Perth Glory/Leeds United 2019

[edit]

Sydney FC v Tottenham 2015

[edit]

A-League All Stars 2013/14, Liverpool v Victory 2013

[edit]

Matilda's Olympic Qualifiers 2016

[edit]

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

[edit]

Logo history

[edit]
  • 1975–1988
    1975–1988
  • 1989–1999
    1989–1999
  • 2000–2003
    2000–2003
  • 2003–2011
    2003–2011
  • 2012–2014
    2012–2014
  • January 2015 – 2018
    January 2015 – 2018
  • September 2018 – June 2020
    September 2018 – June 2020
  • June 2020 – March 2021, September 2024 – present
    June 2020 – March 2021, September 2024 – present
  • March 2021 – September 2024
    March 2021 – September 2024

Awards

[edit]

Sports coverage and programs made by Seven Sport have been won and been nominated for several awards at the Logie Awards.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Seven Sport

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Seven Sport is the sports production and broadcasting division of the Australian , a leading owned by , responsible for delivering live coverage, news, and analysis of major sporting events to audiences across television and digital platforms. It reaches approximately 17.5 million people monthly (as of November 2025) through its content, which includes premier domestic and international competitions. Established as a core component of the Seven Network's programming, Seven Sport has a storied history in Australian media, notably producing broadcasts since 1956, including serving as the host broadcaster for the 2000 Olympics. The division holds exclusive rights to high-profile events such as the Australian Football League (AFL), Cricket Australia matches (including series), the , and throughout the year. It also serves as the Australian broadcast partner for the in 2026 and 2030, alongside coverage of the Olympics, Paralympics, and other global spectacles like the and . Seven Sport's content is distributed via the Seven Network's linear channels (7, , and ), the streaming service for live and on-demand viewing, and integrated news platforms like 7NEWS Sport, ensuring comprehensive access for audiences. Under the leadership of Director of Network Sport Chris Jones, the division recently restructured with key appointments including Joel Starcevic as Head of and , and Anna Stone as Head of , to bolster production of its extensive 52-week sports slate. This focus on premium, multi-platform delivery underscores Seven Sport's role as a of Australian sports media, driving significant viewership and cultural engagement.

Overview

Role and Operations

Seven Sport serves as the dedicated sports division of the Seven Network, an Australian commercial television broadcaster owned by Limited. Established in 1956 alongside the network's inaugural broadcasts from HSV-7 in , it has been integral to the delivery of sports programming since the advent of . As the production arm for all sports-related content, Seven Sport manages the acquisition, , and distribution of live events, ensuring comprehensive coverage that aligns with the network's commitment to free-to-air accessibility. The core operations of Seven Sport encompass the production of live sports events, associated studio shows, and integrated digital streaming via the platform. This includes securing and exercising exclusive rights for premier Australian competitions, enabling real-time broadcasts that capture key moments for national audiences. Operations emphasize high-quality production standards, from on-site event coverage to post-event analysis in studio formats, fostering engagement through timely and immersive content. In its current scope, Seven Sport delivers a substantial amount of sports content annually, prioritizing Australian-centric disciplines such as (AFL) and while extending to international spectacles like the Olympic and . This extensive output underscores its role in promoting national sporting culture through a mix of domestic leagues and global competitions. Key distribution occurs across linear television on Channel 7 and its multichannels (, ), complemented by streaming, which in 2023 introduced advanced features including multi-view options for simultaneous event feeds and interactive stats overlays to enhance viewer customization. Notable statistical highlights include a 62% growth in linear streaming viewership on from 2024 to 2025, propelled by enhanced AFL and rights that boosted live engagement and overall platform adoption. This surge reflects Seven Sport's strategic pivot toward hybrid models, blending traditional TV reach with digital innovation to sustain audience growth amid evolving consumption habits.

Key Partnerships and Platforms

Seven Sport has secured several long-term broadcast agreements with major sports organizations, ensuring comprehensive coverage across and digital platforms. A key partnership is the seven-year deal with the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2025 to 2031, valued at $4.5 billion in total media rights and granting Seven exclusive rights to an average of at least three matches per round, including all and night games, broadcast live on the Seven Network and . Similarly, Seven maintains its collaboration with through a $1.512 billion agreement spanning 2024 to 2031, covering home men's and women's international Tests, One-Day Internationals, T20s, and the (BBL), with co-broadcast rights shared alongside for . In April 2025, Seven announced exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the in 2026 and the 2030 edition, providing live and free coverage across its platforms to enhance accessibility. Digital enhancements on have been integral to these partnerships, particularly for 2025 AFL coverage, where the platform streams all games live and free, alongside on-demand replays, highlights, and exclusive content to boost viewer engagement. For cricket, integrates interactive features such as live stats and multi-angle replays during BBL matches, supporting the co-broadcast model with and expanding reach beyond traditional TV. Additional alliances include the sub-licensing arrangement with under the seven-year deal starting from the 2024-25 season, allowing seamless distribution of home internationals and BBL content across and subscription services. In June 2025, Seven acquired exclusive Australian rights to (MLC), broadcasting all 34 T20 matches live and free on Sport as part of a multi-year agreement to introduce U.S.-based franchise to local audiences. These partnerships underpin Seven Sport's revenue model, which combines advertising sales, corporate sponsorships—such as Toyota's ongoing role as a broadcast partner for AFL coverage—and sub-licensing fees from collaborators like Foxtel, collectively driving significant income from sports programming amid a broader network revenue of $1.35 billion for the 2025 financial year.

History

Origins and Early Broadcasts

Seven Sport's origins date back to the inception of , with HSV-7 in launching broadcasts on November 4, 1956, as the city's first station and utilizing an outside broadcast van equipped with three cameras and a link for early live events. This infrastructure enabled coverage of the 1956 Olympics, providing up to eight hours of daily live programming, marking the network's initial foray into sports telecasting. Sports programming quickly followed, including shows like Sports Talk hosted by Bill Collins and Harry Gordon, which debuted in HSV-7's first week. VFL coverage began in April 1957, with HSV-7 airing live telecasts of the final quarter of selected Saturday afternoon matches, initially shared among stations including ABV-2 and GTV-9. By the early 1960s, technological advancements like links between and facilitated program sharing and simultaneous live broadcasts, expanding reach beyond Victoria. A key milestone was the 1960 , the first interstate sports telecast, relayed via to 's stations for a 46-minute live airing watched by over one million viewers. became a staple, with such events highlighting the growing national infrastructure despite analog limitations that restricted full live coverage to major cities. The 1970s brought significant milestones, including shared coverage of the 1976 Montreal Olympics by Seven alongside ABC and Nine, broadcast in color as Australia's first such Olympic telecast following the national rollout on March 1, 1975. In 1977, HSV-7 acquired exclusive rights to the VFL for $100,000, marking the first of the event in Victoria and nationally across multiple states, drawing an estimated 2.25 million viewers. Infrastructure evolved with enhanced mobile units supporting on-site productions, while the 1975 served as a prominent early color sports telecast post-transition. Pre-1980s challenges included limited national penetration due to analog technology constraints, confining comprehensive live sports to regional hubs until expanded relay systems improved accessibility.

Expansion Through Major Rights Deals

In the 1990s, solidified its position in Australian sports broadcasting by securing key rights to (AFL) matches. In 1991, the network renegotiated a three-year deal worth A$47 million to broadcast AFL games from 1993 to 1995, marking a significant investment that built on its exclusive coverage from the . This agreement enhanced Seven's portfolio during a period of growing competition for live sports content, helping to attract dedicated audiences across metropolitan and regional markets. The network's expansion accelerated in the 2000s with landmark Olympic broadcasting rights, establishing it as a premier destination for major international events. Seven secured Australian rights for the 2000 Summer Olympics, paying US$45 million for the package, which included the first comprehensive domestic coverage of a full Summer Games. The broadcast delivered over 400 hours of network programming, drawing an audience of more than 6.5 million Australians for the opening and closing ceremonies alone. Building on this success, Seven retained rights for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, broadcasting every Games from 1992 through 2008 and on-selling portions to pay-TV partners. These deals, which included pay-TV, online, and mobile rights by 2008, underscored Seven's commitment to multi-platform delivery and contributed to rising sports rights expenditures across the decade. Key acquisitions in other sports further diversified Seven's offerings and drove growth. In 2006, the network partnered with V8 Supercars Australia for a six-year broadcast deal covering 2007 to 2012, returning the series to free-to-air television after a decade on Network Ten and Fox Sports. This multi-million-dollar agreement ensured live coverage of all rounds, including high-profile events like the Bathurst 1000, and integrated production enhancements to boost viewer engagement. Amid these expansions, Seven's annual sports rights spending intensified, with costs for major events like the Olympics escalating from around US$140 million for multi-Games packages in the late 1990s to higher figures by the mid-2000s, reflecting broader industry trends in content acquisition. These investments propelled weekly sports audiences into the millions, solidifying Seven's dominance in the sector.

Developments in the Digital Era

In the 2010s, Seven Sport faced significant challenges in retaining major broadcast rights amid intensifying competition from rival networks. Seven broadcast the Rio 2016, Pyeongchang 2018, and 2020 Olympics before losing the rights for 2024 and beyond to the . However, Seven retained rights to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, broadcasting the event across its linear channels and digital platforms to an audience of over 12.5 million . These shifts highlighted the evolving media landscape, where pay-TV and streaming services increasingly influenced rights negotiations. To adapt to digital consumption trends, Seven launched its streaming service in November 2017, introducing dedicated sports streaming capabilities that expanded access to live AFL matches and other content. This pivot was particularly evident in AFL coverage, where enabled multi-game streaming and on-demand replays, boosting digital viewership by integrating with Seven's free-to-air broadcasts. The in 2020 accelerated these adaptations, with Seven implementing remote production for the AFL season, including commentators calling games from studios rather than stadiums to comply with health restrictions, ensuring uninterrupted coverage amid venue closures. Entering the 2020s, Seven secured key renewals to strengthen its portfolio. In September 2022, it extended AFL broadcast rights through 2031 in a A$4.5 billion deal shared with , encompassing men's, women's, and state league competitions across linear TV and for the first time. Similarly, in January 2023, Seven and renewed rights for 2024–2031 worth A$1.512 billion, covering home Test matches, women's internationals, and seasons, with Seven airing select games. Recent milestones underscored Seven's digital integration. Its broadcast of the reached 11.1 million linear viewers and 2.15 million on , with night sessions averaging nearly 1 million total viewers and streaming over 450 million minutes. In April 2025, Seven announced exclusive Australian rights for the Glasgow 2026 and , emphasizing comprehensive coverage across TV and streaming. October 2025 brought another coup with exclusive rights to the 2026 , airing live on Seven and from October to November 2026. Looking ahead, Seven continues to prioritize hybrid TV-streaming models to enhance accessibility, though it did not secure the Brisbane 2032 Olympics rights, which went to Nine in 2023.

Sports Coverage

Australian Rules Football

Seven Sport has provided continuous free-to-air coverage of (AFL) matches since 1977, beginning with a deal that included the Grand Final and select games for $500,000. This longstanding partnership evolved through exclusive rights in the , with Seven securing the current and digital rights as part of a record $4.5 billion, seven-year agreement from 2025 to 2031 shared with and . Under the deal, Seven broadcasts an average of at least three matches per round during the premiership season, including and night games, plus all finals from weeks 1-3 and the Grand Final, totaling around 40 regular-season games annually alongside the postseason. Production for AFL coverage emphasizes high-quality, immersive broadcasts, featuring advanced multi-camera setups produced in partnership with specialists like Gravity Media, which provides comprehensive camera operations, aerial links, and panoramic views for major events such as the Grand Final. All 2025 Thursday night AFL matches were streamed live and free on 7plus, alongside traditional free-to-air telecasts on the Seven Network. Since 2019, Seven has broadcast AFL Women's (AFLW) matches, airing three games per round live on the network and 7plus following the competition's expansion. Innovations in Seven's AFL production include the integration of player-tracking graphics and real-time data visualizations, introduced in 2022 to enhance viewer engagement with on-field analytics. Key broadcasts include the 2025 Toyota , where the defeated the Geelong Cats 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) at the , aired live on Seven and streamed on . Seven also holds sub-rights for state leagues, telecasting one match per round of the (VFL) on , the West Australian Football League (WAFL) live on Seven and under an expanded 2025 deal covering all games, and the (SANFL) weekly on . The network's final coverage of the occurred in 2017, broadcasting both tests live between and . In 2025, Seven's AFL broadcasts reached an aggregated audience of 27.3 million across 57 games, averaging 479,000 viewers per telecast, with national averages at 548,000 for the 47 nationally aired matches. The Grand Final drew a national total TV audience of 4.08 million, including 969,000 streams on —a 48% increase from 2024—making it the year's most-watched program with a reach of 6.1 million .

Cricket

Seven Sport holds co-broadcasting rights for Australian cricket alongside Foxtel from 2024 to 2031, covering all home men's Test matches, all women's international fixtures, and select matches from the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). This $1.5 billion agreement ensures Seven's "Summer of Cricket" programming includes major series such as the 2024/25 home Tests against India, featuring five matches from November 2024 to January 2025. The deal also encompasses men's One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) played in Australia, with Seven providing free-to-air and 7plus streaming access to these events. Since acquiring BBL rights in 2013, Seven has aired full seasons of the men's T20 competition, including all finals, while WBBL coverage began in 2015 and has grown to include key playoff games. Production elements emphasize advanced technology, with high-definition replays and ball-tracking integrated into broadcasts since 2018 to enhance decision reviews and viewer analysis. In 2025, offers exclusive live streaming for non-prime-time BBL matches, broadening digital access beyond linear TV. Key broadcasts include the 2023/24 BBL finals series, where the championship match reached a national of 2.4 million on Seven, marking a significant milestone for the league. Women's cricket coverage extends to international triumphs, such as Australia's gold medal matches at the , streamed comprehensively on alongside linear broadcasts. However, sub-licensing arrangements with [Fox Sports](/page/Fox Sports) have reduced Seven's linear TV exclusivity for certain matches since , shifting some content to pay-TV and streaming platforms.

Olympics and Paralympics

Seven Sport has a long history of broadcasting the Olympic Games in Australia, dating back to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and including major Summer Games such as Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. The network provided extensive coverage of the Sydney 2000 Games as the host broadcaster, contributing to record viewership and helping Seven secure the ratings year for the first time in nearly two decades. Following a brief loss of rights to Nine and Foxtel for the 2010 Vancouver Winter and 2012 London Summer Olympics, Seven regained the Australian broadcast rights in 2014 for a deal covering Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, and an option for later Games. This agreement enabled comprehensive coverage of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics across Seven's primary channel and digital platforms, emphasizing live events and Australian athlete performances. For the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021 due to delays), Seven delivered what it described as historic coverage, reaching 20.2 million Australians through a combination of broadcast and streaming, with a focus on live action despite time zone challenges. However, in 2022, Seven opted not to renew its Olympic rights amid financial considerations, including a reported $50 million loss on 2020 despite audience records, allowing rival Nine to secure exclusive Australian broadcast rights for 2024 through 2032 in a $305 million deal. This marked a strategic pivot for Seven toward domestic sports properties, ending its dominant run in Olympic broadcasting that spanned seven of the previous eight Summer Games prior to 2024. In Winter Olympics coverage, Seven held exclusive rights for Beijing 2022, providing live broadcasts that reached over 10 million Australians in the first six days and peaked at 11.7 million viewers on a single day. The network's presentation included dedicated sessions for evening and late-night events, hosted by figures like and , highlighting Australian competitors in sports such as . Seven's Paralympic coverage reached a milestone with the Rio 2016 Games, where it provided the most comprehensive Australian broadcast to date, including 14 hours of daily across digital channels and a dedicated production team for the first time. This effort was recognized with awards for outstanding sports coverage, emphasizing and athlete stories. Post-Rio, coverage became more limited due to rights bundling with the Olympics; for 2020 (2021), Seven offered anchored highlights and live streams led by Paralympic legends like , while featured daily highlights packages on and . Production for Olympic events under Seven involved multi-channel feeds for overflow coverage, utilizing 7TWO and 7mate alongside the main Channel 7 to deliver up to 22 hours of daily live content during Rio 2016. For Tokyo 2020, 7plus streaming played a key role, offering preliminary events like and football from Day 2, alongside six additional channels for comprehensive access, which contributed to 7plus becoming the top commercial BVOD service with record streaming minutes. Looking ahead to 2032 as Australia's host nation, Olympic broadcast remain with Nine through its 2023 agreement, though domestic production advantages for host broadcasters could allow sub-licensing or collaborative opportunities for networks like Seven to emphasize local athletes. Seven's CEO has highlighted a continued focus on Australian-centric storytelling in lieu of full renewal.

Commonwealth Games

Seven Sport's involvement with the Commonwealth Games began with its broadcast of the 2002 Manchester edition, marking the network's entry into comprehensive multi-sport event coverage focused on athletes from Commonwealth nations. Following a period where other networks held rights, Seven secured exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the 2018 Gold Coast Games, delivering over 320 hours of coverage across its channels. The event drew strong viewership, with the attracting 2.006 million metro viewers, and key athletics sessions achieving peak audiences that highlighted Australian successes, such as in events. The 2022 Birmingham Games represented Seven's continued commitment despite the event's scaled-down format due to global challenges, with coverage emphasizing swimming, athletics, and Australian medal highlights. excelled, securing gold in the competition and multiple swimming events, including victories by and . The broadcast reached 11.1 million Australians via linear TV and 2.15 million through digital platforms, with night sessions averaging nearly 1 million viewers and demonstrating the Games' appeal in a biennial cycle distinct from global events like the Olympics. In April 2025, Seven extended its partnership with an exclusive multi-platform deal for the 2026 Glasgow and , marking the network's first multi-Games commitment and ensuring live coverage of all events. Production will integrate across Channel 7, , and , prioritizing Australian athletes' performances to engage domestic audiences with a focus on national pride and competitive highlights. This agreement underscores Seven's role in bringing biennial competition to free-to-air viewers, building on past successes in viewer engagement and digital growth.

Motor Sports

Seven Sport's motor sports coverage centers on the Supercars Championship, Australia's premier series, which it has broadcast in various capacities since the category's in 1963. The network secured a multi-year deal in 2006 to air full seasons starting from 2007 through 2012, marking its return as a primary broadcaster after a previous era from 1963 to 1996. This partnership continued until 2014, followed by a period of sub-licensed coverage for select events from 2015 to 2020 under ' primary rights. In 2021, Seven regained primary rights in a five-year agreement valued at approximately A$200 million, shared with , enabling live broadcasts of marquee rounds. For the 2025 season, comprising 13 rounds, Seven provides coverage of six key events, including the season-opening Thrifty 500, the Darwin Triple Crown, and the 500, alongside full streaming on . The , held annually at , serves as the flagship event in Seven's motor sports portfolio, with the network televising it since 1975—including the first color broadcast—and continuously from 1981 onward during its early periods of rights ownership. Seven has aired the race on 44 occasions through 2014, and resumed comprehensive coverage in 2021 as part of its Supercars deal. The 2024 edition, won by and Todd Hazelwood for , drew an average national audience of 1.17 million viewers on Seven, including streams on . The 2025 achieved the highest Seven viewership since 2016, with a national reach of 4.32 million and an average live audience of 1.544 million, underscoring its status as a cultural of Australian . Beyond Supercars, Seven holds rights to additional endurance and GT series, enhancing its motor sports slate. The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, a GT3-focused endurance race revived in 2007, has been broadcast by Seven since 2015, with the network providing full live coverage on 7mate starting from the 2014 edition—the first complete free-to-air telecast in the event's history. Sub-rights for TCR Australia, a touring car series for front-wheel-drive vehicles, shifted to Seven in 2020, offering live free-to-air sessions previously held by SBS. Similarly, the GT World Challenge Australia, rebranded in 2020 under SRO Motorsports Group management, receives live Seven coverage as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries, including endurance events at circuits like The Bend Motorsport Park. Production enhancements have elevated Seven's motor sports presentations, particularly through advanced in-car and digital integration. Onboard cameras, capturing driver perspectives and , have been a staple since the early , but recent iterations incorporate real-time telemetry data overlays for speed, gear shifts, and lap times, streamed live during events like the Bathurst 1000. The 2025 Bathurst production utilized over 175 cameras across 10 outside broadcast vans, supported by 250 crew members and extensive fiber infrastructure, to deliver immersive coverage. streams support races, such as the Dunlop Series and , with highlights and select live sessions, expanding accessibility beyond traditional TV. This digital shift aligns with the 2021 rights evolution from sub-licensed highlights to , though escalating costs for fuel, , and have pressured broadcasters amid a A$200 million rights valuation.

Other Sports

Seven Sport's coverage of rugby extends to both league and union formats, with the network securing exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the in 2017, delivering all matches via television and subscription video-on-demand platforms. In October 2025, Seven announced another major deal for the 2026 , providing live, free, and exclusive coverage of the entire tournament from October 15 to November 15, co-hosted in and , marking a return to the event after their 2017 broadcast. In tennis, Seven holds sub-licensing rights for highlights of the Australian Open, providing nightly recaps and key match summaries since 2009 as part of their broader Grand Slam coverage during the period they served as the primary host broadcaster until 2018. For golf, the network broadcasts delayed coverage of major tournaments, including the at Augusta National, where Australian viewers access same-day replays and highlights to accommodate time zone differences, alongside live streaming of domestic events like the Australian Open and . Soccer features prominently in Seven's secondary portfolio, highlighted by their co-broadcast role in the , where they aired 15 key matches live and free, including all five Matildas games, reaching nearly 18.6 million Australians across broadcast and streaming. Earlier, Seven covered the A-League All Stars exhibition matches in 2013 against Manchester United and in 2014 against Juventus, both held at ANZ Stadium in and drawing significant crowds. The network also broadcast the Matildas' Olympic qualifying matches for the 2016 Rio Games, including fixtures against Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, North Korea, and China, providing exposure that boosted the team's visibility. Emerging sports rights underscore Seven's diversification strategy, with the network acquiring exclusive Australian broadcasting rights to (MLC) in June 2025, streaming all 34 T20 matches live and free on for the first time, focusing on the U.S.-based league's growing international appeal. Athletics coverage includes the annual , Australia's premier professional footrace, which Seven has broadcast consistently since the , featuring the 120-meter handicap event over Easter weekend at Stawell Athletic Club. Horse racing highlights, particularly from the Melbourne Cup Carnival, form another staple, with Seven airing recaps and key races like the , complementing their broader racing portfolio on and . Production for these events relies on dedicated, event-specific commentary teams assembled for each tournament, ensuring specialized expertise—such as rugby analysts Jim Wilson and for league coverage—while integrating with Seven's core sports production infrastructure. Following the 2023 Women's World Cup's success, where Matildas matches consistently drew over 1 million viewers (peaking at 11.5 million for the semi-final against ), Seven has intensified its soccer commitments in 2025, pursuing additional women's international qualifiers and domestic leagues to capitalize on sustained audience growth.

Programs and Productions

Current Programs

Seven Sport's current programs in 2025 encompass a mix of flagship studio shows, weekly analysis formats, and digital-first content, primarily focused on AFL, , and motorsports, delivered through linear broadcasts on the Seven Network and streaming on . These programs feature highlights, expert interviews, statistical breakdowns, and panel discussions to engage audiences with in-depth sports commentary. A key flagship offering is AFL Game Day, a weekly preview and analysis show that has aired since 2008 and was revived in 2025 after a hiatus from 2020, hosted by , covering major AFL matches, player insights, and team strategies, with expanded segments on AFLW in 2025 to reflect Seven's broadcast rights for women's games. For cricket, The Spin serves as the seasonal analysis program, returning in 2025, where hosts , , and dissect Big Bash League (BBL) performances, international tours, and tactical elements through highlights and guest interviews. Weekly staples include , an AFL-centric pub-style talk show launched in 2016 and continuing into 2025, featuring hosts Andy Maher, , and in casual debates on game highlights, news, and fan interactions, now supplemented by digital episodes on for extended engagement. Complementing this is Sunday Footy Feast, a Sunday preview show since its 2025 debut, hosted by alongside Campbell Brown and Kate McCarthy, providing multi-sport rundowns with a focus on AFL afternoon games, including stats previews and live updates. Digital-first content on has grown in 2025, with exclusives like pre- and post-game streams for Supercars events, offering real-time analysis and driver interviews not available on linear . Additionally, Seven introduced MLC preview segments within its cricket slate for the 2025 season, streamed exclusively on , highlighting Australian stars like Steve Smith and ahead of the U.S.-based T20 tournament. Among these, The maintains strong viewership, averaging around 500,000 viewers nationally in 2025, bolstered by its clips that drive further interaction across platforms.

Past Programs

Seven Sport has produced several notable programs that were discontinued or significantly evolved over the years, reflecting changes in , production costs, and audience preferences. Another key evolved series was the integration of elements from earlier AFL-focused formats into broader coverage, though specific previews like those in the were consolidated. For major events, Seven Sport created targeted specials, such as the 2016 miniseries Road to Rio, a weekly half-hour live that aired every Saturday leading up to the Rio Olympics. Hosted by prominent commentators, it showcased Australian athletes' stories, event previews, and emerging talents, serving as a buildup to Seven's comprehensive Olympic broadcast. This format highlighted Seven's emphasis on narrative-driven content for international multi-sport events but was limited to the pre-Games period and not repeated in subsequent cycles. In rugby league, Seven Sport provided extensive coverage of the 2017 , including daily wrap-up and preview segments under the banner of dedicated tournament programming. The network broadcast all 28 matches live, with on-air analysis hosted by Jim Wilson and , supplemented by experts like and Allana Ferguson. These nightly recaps, often titled in line with event-specific branding, offered post-match breakdowns and highlights, but the format was event-tied and discontinued after the tournament concluded, as rights shifted and production returned to domestic NRL focus. These past programs introduced innovations like enhanced athlete profiling in event specials and collaborative expert panels, which faced challenges during digital transitions, such as underwhelming integration of app-based fan interactions in mid-2010s soccer tie-ins that failed to boost engagement due to technical issues. Their legacy endures in current formats, with the casual, pub-style banter from shows like AFL Game Day influencing the tone of ongoing series such as , which adopted similar accessible, fan-oriented discussions upon its launch in 2016.

Staff and Commentators

Lead Presenters and Executives

Seven Sport's leadership is headed by Chris Jones, who was appointed Director of Network Sport in July 2024, overseeing the division's overall strategy and production for major events including AFL and coverage. With more than 20 years in media and public relations focused on television, Jones has produced high-profile broadcasts such as AFL Grand Finals and series, contributing to the network's expansion of live sports streaming on . In May 2025, Seven announced key appointments to bolster its sports division, including Kirsty Bradmore as Head of Sport Digital, responsible for integrating sports content across and enhancing viewer engagement through innovative streaming features. Other notable executives include Gary O'Keeffe, appointed Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, who drives technological advancements in AFL broadcasting, and Anna Stone as Head of and Executive Producer of , managing production for upcoming multi-sport events. These roles reflect Seven's emphasis on digital transformation amid the 2025 extension of major rights deals, such as AFL and . Post-2020, Seven Sport has prioritized diversity in its executive ranks, with increased representation of women in senior positions; examples include Angela Rampal serving as Head of since prior to 2025 while adding Executive Producer duties for , Anna Stone's elevation to her current role, and Joel Starcevic as Head of and . Additionally, Caroline Wilson joined in 2025 as a chief AFL reporter, bringing decades of journalistic expertise to enhance on-air analysis and reporting. Among multi-sport presenters, has been a cornerstone since the 1990s, anchoring coverage of Olympics, , and tennis events like the Australian Open. A former Olympic bronze medalist in , Griggs hosted Seven's Birmingham 2022 broadcast, which reached over 2.15 million viewers on alone and earned a Logie nomination for sports coverage. Hamish McLachlan, a lead host since joining Seven in 2008, covers a broad portfolio including AFL, , and major international events, with over 17 years of on-air contributions as of 2025. Known for his engaging style, McLachlan has hosted flagship programs like AFL Game Day and played a key role in the network's Birmingham 2022 coverage, helping drive audience connection across linear and digital platforms.

Sport-Specific Commentary Teams

Seven Sport employs specialized commentary teams tailored to its major sports coverage, drawing on experienced former athletes and broadcasters to provide expert analysis and play-by-play narration. These teams are assembled based on the network's broadcast rights, emphasizing depth in Australian football, cricket, and motorsports, while incorporating international events through partnerships. In Australian Football League (AFL) coverage, Bruce McAvaney serves as the lead caller, a role he has held for Grand Finals since 1992, including the 2025 decider where he provided main commentary alongside Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw. McAvaney's return to host marquee matches and Sunday night games in 2025 underscores his enduring expertise in high-stakes AFL broadcasts. Complementing the calling, Matthew Lloyd acts as a key analyst, leveraging his experience as a former Essendon player and the club's all-time leading goal-kicker to offer tactical insights on player performance and strategy during 2025 season coverage. For cricket, Current Test match commentary is led by Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain, who provides expert analysis for international series including the 2025-26 , focusing on batting tactics and match dynamics. In women's cricket, delivers specialized commentary, drawing on her experience as a former Australian player to cover events like the 2025 series, emphasizing strategic breakdowns and player development in the women's game. In motorsports and other categories, anchors coverage, particularly as the specialist, where he called the 2025 event alongside , providing trackside expertise from his background as a former driver. Following a 2023 initiative to promote gender diversity, Seven Sport achieved approximately 40% female representation among commentators across its portfolio, integrating voices like Jones to balance traditional lineups. Since 2020, the network's in-house training academy has developed emerging talent, providing workshops on broadcast techniques to support this diversification and sustain expertise in sport-specific teams.

Branding and Production

Theme Music and Signatures

Seven Sport's audio branding has long relied on distinctive to signal the start of sports broadcasts, creating an auditory identity synonymous with excitement and anticipation in Australian television. The division's earliest prominent theme was associated with World of Sport, a Sunday afternoon program aired on the Seven Network from 1959 to 1987, which featured "Sporty Type," an upbeat orchestral composition created by Australian musician and conductor Don Harper in 1968 and performed by the Don Jackson Orchestra. This piece, with its lively brass and rhythmic drive, served as the signature fanfare for intros and segment transitions, capturing the era's enthusiasm for multi-sport coverage including wrestling, racing, and variety acts. Following the end of World of Sport, Seven Sport adopted a more enduring signature tune in 1989: a rock-infused adaptation of Aaron Copland's "," popularized by the progressive rock band on their 1977 album . This version transformed the original 1942 orchestral work—intended as a patriotic salute during —into a high-energy anthem with electric guitar riffs and pounding drums, ideal for television pacing. The theme quickly became integral to Seven Sport's branding, playing during event openings, score updates, and highlight reels across programs like AFL telecasts and coverage. Its adoption marked a shift toward a bolder, contemporary sound that aligned with the network's expanding sports portfolio in the late and . Over time, the theme has seen subtle evolutions to suit digital platforms and specific events while retaining its core recognizability. Usage remains consistent in live events, where it underscores key moments such as goal reviews in AFL matches or boundary updates in games, reinforcing viewer association with Seven's sports output. For major international coverage, like the on the Gold Coast (broadcast by Seven), variants incorporated ambient crowd effects to heighten atmosphere, though the base fanfare persisted. The ongoing composition and adaptation of Seven Sport's signatures involve collaboration with the network's in-house team, ensuring alignment with production needs. This auditory consistency has contributed to its cultural significance, often hailed as one of Australia's most memorable broadcast signatures, evoking and energy for generations of viewers.

Logo and Visual Identity Evolution

Seven Sport's visual identity has undergone several transformations since the 1970s, closely mirroring the broader rebranding efforts of the Seven Network to maintain consistency across its programming divisions. The earliest documented logo, introduced in , featured a simple "7 Sport" text design in basic against a plain background, reflecting the nascent stage of dedicated branding on Australian television following the network's establishment in 1956. This straightforward approach emphasized readability for on-air identifications during early broadcasts like VFL/AFL coverage. During the and , the logos evolved to incorporate more structured elements aligned with Network's , such as the red circle enclosing the numeral 7 launched in 1989. The 1989–1999 Seven Sport variant used bold "Seven Sport" lettering integrated with this circle motif, providing a more professional and unified look that supported expanded sports programming, including motor racing and international events. By the late , the design began anticipating major tie-ins, setting the stage for Olympic-related branding. The 2000–2003 period marked a significant shift with the adoption of a ribbon-style logo featuring multicolored ribbons wrapping around the "Seven Sport" text, directly influenced by the network's Olympic rebrand for the Sydney 2000 Games, where Seven served as the host broadcaster. This dynamic, celebratory design symbolized national pride and was prominently used in Olympic promotions and coverage, transitioning from static text to more illustrative elements. Subsequent variants from 2003 to 2014 refined this into a cleaner red base with integrated text, emphasizing simplicity and versatility across print and broadcast media. In the , the 2014–2020 logo introduced a stacked "7Sport" format with updated and subtle graphical accents, coinciding with advancements in on-screen from traditional 2D overlays to enhanced 3D elements for immersive viewing. The rebrand, handled by design agency Hulsbosch, adopted a minimalist "7Sport" with a gradient-infused '7' icon, optimized for digital platforms like to ensure scalability and modern appeal in streaming sports content. This flat, bold aesthetic aligned with the network's overall shift to a unified graphic system, reducing complexity while enhancing cross-device visibility. Influences from the network updates further promoted principles, streamlining visual elements for all sports broadcasts. As of 2025, the design remains in use. These developments underscore a progression toward digital-first, event-specific adaptability without deviating from red-dominated palette.

Awards and Recognition

Major Industry Awards

Seven Sport's coverage has earned significant recognition in major Australian television industry awards prior to 2020, particularly through the TV Week , where it secured multiple wins in the Most Outstanding Sports Coverage category for innovative production and engaging . These accolades highlight the division's excellence in live event , technical execution, and audience engagement across major sporting events. For instance, in 2001, Seven's broadcast of the 2000 Olympic Games won the Logie for Most Outstanding Sports Coverage, praised for its comprehensive national presentation that captured the host city's historic Games. Similarly, the 2002 coverage of the match between and earned the same honor, noted for its high-energy commentary and multi-angle visuals that enhanced viewer immersion. Further Logie successes underscored Seven Sport's prowess in motorsport and international events. That same year, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games coverage clinched the Most Outstanding Sports Coverage award in 2009, recognized for its global-scale production shared in international collaboration, though primarily credited to Seven's domestic feed. In 2012, Seven's coverage of the Australian Open Tennis and other events was nominated, contributing to the network's strong presence. The 2016 Rio Olympic Games coverage followed suit in 2017, awarded for blending technical precision with compelling athlete profiles that resonated with Australian audiences. Beyond the Logies, Seven Sport garnered honors in specialized sports media awards, reflecting strengths in both technical and content-driven categories. In 2010, the Australian Football Media Association (AFMA) awarded Seven's AFL coverage, including the Grand Final production, with wins for Most Outstanding TV Program (Friday Night Football) and individual commentary recognitions, highlighting superior production quality in broadcasting. These pre-2020 achievements, spanning over a decade, demonstrate Seven Sport's consistent impact, with production teams frequently cited for advancements in camera techniques—such as the multi-camera setups used in Olympic broadcasts—and narrative elements, like the athlete-focused segments. These efforts contributed to a strong portfolio of industry awards across television and sports categories, affirming the division's leadership in Australian sports media. Seven Sport's recognition has continued post-2020. In 2022, its coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and won the Logie for Most Outstanding Sports Coverage. More recently, in 2024, Seven received the award for its broadcast of the , co-hosted by and .

Impact and Legacy

Seven Sport has played a pivotal role in shaping Australian sports broadcasting since the inception of television in the country, beginning with its coverage of the 1956 Olympics alongside the ABC, which marked the launch of HSV-7 and helped establish sports as a cornerstone of free-to-air programming. The network pioneered live VFL (now telecasts in 1977 and co-broadcast the cricket match that same year, contributing to the incremental significance of sports in driving technological advancements like adoption in 1975 and satellite for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. These efforts not only boosted national viewership—such as the record ratings for the 1968 boxing match, which held as the top sports program until the 2000 Olympics—but also solidified Seven's position as a leader in delivering accessible, high-engagement sports content to Australian audiences. In the modern era, Seven Sport's impact is evident through landmark rights agreements that have elevated the commercial value of Australian sports media. The network secured the largest broadcast deal in Australian history in 2022, a $4.5 billion, seven-year partnership with the AFL and Foxtel for rights from 2025 to 2031, encompassing free-to-air coverage of key matches, finals, and the women's league, which underscores Seven's enduring dominance in AFL broadcasting. This deal, combined with extensions like the two-year athletics broadcasting agreement through 2026 and confirmation as the Australian partner for the , has driven substantial audience growth, with AFL coverage on Seven and reaching approximately 5 million viewers weekly in 2025, contributing to the network's approximately 42% total TV share. Such metrics highlight Seven's role in maintaining live sports as a vital driver of free-to-air viewership, where, as of 2016, 95% of sports content was consumed live, far outpacing other genres. The legacy of Seven Sport extends beyond ratings to its influence on industry innovation and cultural significance, fostering the integration of traditional broadcasting with digital platforms like , which debuted full AFL and cricket streaming in 2024 to broaden accessibility. By employing sports personalities in reporting roles and previously expanding coverage to include international events like the Olympics in partnership with SBS up to 2020, Seven has enhanced community engagement and professionalized in . Overall, its contributions have transformed sports from niche programming to a cultural , supporting through massive rights investments while ensuring broad public access to national pastimes like AFL and .

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