Channel Seven is set to stop broadcasting Sunday AFL matches as the network focuses on the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games
Channel Seven has opted to drop Sunday AFL games in favour of covering the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
According to a report by TV Blackbox on Thursday, the network will instead be focusing on the Olympics, which will run from July 23 until August 8.
The decision means Australian rules fans will only be able to watch two free-to-air games per weekend during Rounds 19 and 20.
Footy is cancelled: Channel Seven has opted to drop Sunday AFL games in favour of covering the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Pictured, an AFL match between the Carlton Blues and Geelong Cats in Melbourne last week
The network’s second channel, 7Mate, will still broadcast Friday and Saturday football matches.
The two games next weekend include Port Adelaide versus Collingwood and the Gold Coast Suns against the Melbourne Demons.
The week after that, 7Mate will broadcast Essendon against the Sydney Swans, and the Demons playing the Western Bulldogs.
Limited broadcast: According to a report by TV Blackbox on Thursday, the network will instead be focusing on the Olympics, which will run from July 23 until August 8. Pictured, an AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans in Melbourne last week
The main station, Channel Seven, will instead focus on the Olympic Games during this time.
Die-hard football fans can watch every match on pay TV, with Foxtel’s Fox Footy channel airing the games during this period.
Kayo Sports will also show back-to-back games on its streaming service.
Coming soon: The main station, Channel Seven, will instead focus on the Olympic Games during this time. Pictured, basketball star and recently announced Australian flag bearer Patty Mills during a basketball game in Las Vegas on Monday
Fox Footy and Kayo will air three matches back-to-back and live on both Sunday, July 25 and Sunday, August 1.
It’s understood that Seven was able to negotiate with competitors earlier this year to broadcast more Aussie Rules on Thursday nights as a trade-off due to their Olympics coverage.
Channel Seven is the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the station will have a 24/7 stream of the Games.
Win: Channel Seven is the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the station will have a 24/7 stream of the Games. Pictured, an Olympic site in Tokyo