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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
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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.
The seven-year broadcast deal is the richest in Australian sports history and ensures the future growth of the AFL, AFLW and grassroots football.
Channel Seven and Foxtel staved off fierce competition from Network Ten and streaming partner Paramount Plus – backed by US media giant CBS – and Nine Entertainment and streaming partner Stan to secure the rights.
McLachlan assured fans the deal would retain the same amount of games on free-to-air TV
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 chairman Richard Goyder hailed the landmark announcement as vital for future growth of the game.
‘It’s a historic day for our code and the future of the code,’ he said.
‘It’s a proud day that we announce the biggest broadcasting deal in Australian sport and deliver on our purpose to progress the game so everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.’
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the number of free-to-air games would remain the same under the new deal, although Foxtel will have exclusive rights to Saturday games for the first eight rounds in Melbourne.
‘This partnership is an incredible result, unprecedented and the biggest in Australian sport,’ he said.
‘Importantly, this announcement means we’ll have at least the same number of free-to-air games on the Seven Network.
‘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.’
McLachlan said the broadcast deal would allow the sport to invest heavily in football for all participants and spectators across all levels.
‘Through our new partnership today the investment will go back into the best game in the world,’ he said.
‘To continue to make it accessible and affordable, To keep ticket prices down. To invest in facilities, for AFLW, women and girls, changerooms and grounds,
‘To help your local club be the best it can be. To be there for footy on all levels.’
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.’
The broadcast announcement comes after McLachlan also announced a new all-time AFL Club membership record of 1,190,671 members.
The 1,190,671 number surpasses the record of 1,113,441 that was set in 2021. The 2022 total is 6.9 per cent growth on last year.
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