At a glance
- Company
- Seven Network
- Announcement
- Event
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Key figures
- National reach
- 2.3 million
- Peak national audience
- 977,000 viewers
- Average audience
- 702,000 viewers
- Change versus 2023 AFL season average
- 10%
- SCG crowd
- 40,000
People
- Lewis MartinManaging Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport
Products and programs
#1 in all age groups, audience up 10% on 2023 season average
March 8, 2024 -- The Seven Network’s live and free coverage of the 2024 AFL Premiership Season got off to a powerful start last night, with the historic clash between Sydney Swans and Melbourne at the SCG reaching 2.3 million people nationally on Channel 7 and 7mate.
The first season opener ever played in Sydney peaked at 977,000 viewers nationally, with the match averaging 702,000 viewers, up 10% compared to the 2023 AFL season average.
Played in front of a 40,000-strong crowd at the SCG, the Sydney-Melbourne clash was the #1 program last night in all people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s, and #2 among grocery shoppers behind 7NEWS. It was the #1 sport program yesterday, beating its closest rival by 61% in terms of reach and 39% in total TV audience.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “Last night was a fantastic start to what promises to be a great AFL season: a huge crowd at the SCG, a big TV audience and a gripping game.
“Following one of the greatest Finals Series ever seen in modern day football, we cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store. From all the nail-biting finishes to the biggest day in September, Seven will be there to deliver every moment to all Australians, live and free.”
For further information, please contact:
Neil Shoebridge
M: 0417 511 012
E: [email protected]
Andrew Knowles
M: 0449 510 357
E: [email protected]
About the Seven Network
The Seven Network is part of Seven West Media (ASX: SWM), one of Australia’s most prominent media companies, with a market-leading presence in content production across broadcast television, publishing and digital. The Seven Network alone reaches about 17 million people a month.
The company owns some of Australia’s most renowned media businesses, including the Seven Network and its affiliate channels 7two, 7mate, 7flix and 7Bravo; the digital platform 7plus; 7NEWS.com.au; The West Australian; The Sunday Times; and The Nightly. The Seven Network is home to Australia’s most loved news, sport and entertainment programming, including 7NEWS, 7NEWS Spotlight, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Voice, Home and Away, Australian Idol, My Kitchen Rules, SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife, The Chase Australia, Better Homes and Gardens, RFDS, The 1% Club and the TV WEEK Logie Awards. Seven Network is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia and Supercars.
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In brief
Seven Network says its live, free television coverage of the 2024 AFL Premiership Season began with the Sydney Swans–Melbourne match at the SCG. The season opener reached 2.3 million people nationally across Channel 7 and 7mate, with a peak audience of 977,000 and an average of 702,000 viewers. The average was 10% higher than the 2023 AFL season average, according to the network. Played before a crowd of 40,000, the game ranked first among all viewers and the cited age groups, and second among grocery shoppers. Seven also reported that its reach and total TV audience exceeded those of its closest sports-program competitor. Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport Lewis Martin described the broadcast as a strong start to the season.
Key takeaways
- The Sydney Swans–Melbourne opener reached 2.3 million people nationally on Channel 7 and 7mate.
- The match averaged 702,000 viewers, 10% above the 2023 AFL season average, according to Seven.
- The broadcast ranked first among all viewers and the cited age groups.
- Seven reported the match was played before a crowd of 40,000 at the SCG.
