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· Posted on
February 21, 2024

Seven's a sucker for sports - say that 10 times

Seven West Media has some serious success broadcasting the Olympic and Paralympic Games this year. We're talkin' revenue and ratings records smashed!

What's the key learning?

  • Seven's in talks to partner up with Foxtel to produce NRL games on Seven's behalf... which means Seven could start airing the State of Origin
  • Live sport has become zero-risk for broadcasters, since die-hard fans will always show up to watch their team's game
  • Guaranteed eyeballs on the TV = more advertisers = more dollars in Seven's pocket!

Background: Seven West Media - aka the folks behind Channel 7 - had some serious success broadcasting the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games this year. We're talkin' revenue and ratings records smashed.

What happened: After scoring the rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games in 2018, Seven are gonna do it all again next year. With 19 different sports and 286 sessions of sport over 11 days...it's gonna be a major cash cow.

What else: Seven already have dibs on AFL, horse racing and motorsports, but it turns out...they want more. Now, they're in talks to partner up with Foxtel to produce NRL games on Seven's behalf. Which means...Seven could start airing the State of Origin, and up to 3 NRL games per week.

So what's the key learning?

💡There are 3 guarantees in life: death, taxes and sports-rating-well -on-TV. TV networks constantly need to take bets on what they reckon will light up the screens. There are winners (The Block) and many losers (*ahem* Bachie).

💡Live sport has almost become zero-risk for broadcasters. The Collingwood Army will always watch their team's game. So too will the Bronco fans.

💡It's this predictability of high ratings that is so enticing for broadcasters. Guaranteed eyeballs on the TV = more advertisers = more dollars in Seven's pocket.

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