AFL gets record TV rights deal as Seven and Foxtel trump Nine’s staggering $500million-a-year offer

AFL signs record-breaking seven-year TV rights deal as Seven and Foxtel trump Channel Nine’s staggering $500million-a-year offer

  •  Seven West Media and Foxtel will remain the broadcasters of the AFL until 2031
  • Their $4.5billion pitch is the richest broadcast deal in Australian sports history 
  • It comes after a late pitch from Nine Entertainment and streaming partner Stan
  • It means a huge cash injection into the game after Covid emptied the coffers 

The AFL will remain on Channel 7 and Foxtel until at least 2031 after a landmark $4.5billion deal was reached with the league’s broadcast partners on Tuesday.

Channel Seven and Foxtel staved off fierce competition from Network Ten and streaming partner Paramount Plus, Nine Entertainment and streaming partner Stan to secure the rights. 

That included an 11th-hour pitch of $500million a year from Nine Entertainment that Seven West Media and Foxtel were able to trump to secure the rights.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the number of free-to-air games would remain the same under the new deal.

Broadcast deal details  

Toyota AFL Grand Final scheduling continues to be under the control of the AFL

All AFL games, the Brownlow Medal, all AFL finals and the Toyota AFL Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network and 7plus digital.

There will be Thursday night matches on Seven Network and 7plus digital during the first 15 rounds of the season

Dreamtime at the ‘G, Anzac Day eve, Anzac Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Queen’s Birthday will all be live and free, along with three additional marquees such as the season opener and Queen’s Birthday celebration. 

‘Importantly, this announcement means we’ll have at least the same number of free-to-air games on the Seven Network,’ he said.

‘I want to say that again – we’ll have at least the same number of free-to-air games. This partnership is an incredible result, unprecedented and the biggest in Australian sport.’

SWM managing director and chief executive James Warburton said the deal would ensure AFL fans have access to a comprehensive package of live action and replays in coming years.

‘Securing a comprehensive package of digital rights to the AFL for 7plus was our absolute focus,’ Warburton said.

‘For the first time, fans will be able to access the best AFL games and video content, live and free, in a way that suits them.

‘More importantly, this new combination of broadcast and digital means SWM will be ideally positioned to drive and capture a significant share of the growing total television market.

‘Together, the AFL and Seven have made the code the number one winter sport across the country and we look forward to working with the AFL Commission to extend the sport’s leadership.’

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