The Seven Network is a major player in Australian sports broadcasting.
Prior to 2001, Seven was the only broadcaster of Australian Football League matches. As the single broadcaster, only one match could be broadcast in any timeslot, so it was not possible for every match to be broadcast. In 2000, Nine and Ten entered a joint rights deal with pay TV provider Foxtel to ensure that all eight matches of each round were televised, starting in 2002 and concluding in 2006. That brought Seven's 45-year run as VFL/AFL football broadcaster to an end.
Seven regained the rights to the Australian Football League in the following broadcast deal, covering the period between 2007 and 2011 inclusive, in a joint contract with Ten and Foxtel. The cost of the deal was A$780 million, an A$280 million increase on the Nine/Ten/Foxtel 2002-2006 joint broadcast venture. Under the deal, Seven and Ten alternated the Brownlow Medal ceremonies and the AFL Grand Final; Seven televised the Friday night and Sunday afternoon Premiership season matches, while Ten televised the two Saturday matches and Foxtel televising the rest.
In 2011, it was announced that Seven and Foxtel would share the football broadcast rights from 2012–2016, bringing Ten's 10-year run to an end. Under the new deal, Seven would televise four games per week, and Foxtel would simulcast coverage of Seven's games and broadcast the other five weekly games live and exclusive. Seven televised the entire finals series, with Foxtel simulcasting all finals except for the Grand Final, which was televised live and exclusively by Seven. The deal required Seven to televise all but the Saturday afternoon match live into Victoria and Tasmania; all four games were shown live into the northern states on 7mate and games were shown live or on delay into Western Australia (night matches on 7mate, day matches on Seven) and South Australia (all on Seven) depending on Seven's television schedule.
It was announced in 2015 that Seven would again be the sole free-to-air broadcaster of Australian Football League matches, for the period between 2017 and 2022. Under the deal, Seven will no longer televise the Saturday afternoon match into Victoria, however, matches in this timeslot involving interstate teams will continue to be televised into their respective markets.
During its time as the broadcaster of the Olympic Games, it has won the Olympic Golden Rings for the Best Television coverage for the best television programme during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Seven and NBC Universal were the major recipients of the Golden Rings; with Seven taking the Golden Rings for the best Olympic Programme, the Silver Rings for the best Olympic feature (NBC Universal received the Golden Rings), and the Bronze Rings for the Best Sports Coverage (behind SRG Switzerland and YLE Finland).
During Seven's coverage of the XXIX Olympiad, numerous complaints by the general Australian public were made to the Seven Network for several reasons, including the lack of a broadcast of events to which Australia is not competing in, too many advertisements and at inappropriate times during events and poor commentating of events. There has also been media speculation about the editing of Olympic events by Seven; how live sound from events is faded and the commentary sound is the prominent sound feature.
From 2016, Seven once again became the home of the Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games and the Summer Paralympic Games. The Network secured the Australian broadcast rights to the Olympic Games in a deal that ensures its place as the Olympic broadcaster until 2020. The multimillion-dollar deal includes TV rights to the summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020, the winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang in 2018 and the summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
From 1963 to 1997, Seven was the home of motor sport in Australia as they broadcast the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and the Bathurst 1000. Seven were the first broadcasters to use race cam in the 1979 Bathurst 1000, which allowed them to talk to the drivers mid-race.
The Seven commentary team included Evan Green, Will Hagon and Geoff Stone (late 60s to the mid 70s). From 1977–1995 Mike Raymond and Garry Wilkinson from 1978–1996 (V8 1000). Neil Crompton reporting from the pits from around 1985, Mark Oastler (1989–1996), Doug Mulray (1988–1994), Allan Moffat (1985–1996, V8 1000) and as a pit reporter Andy Raymond (early 90s). At the Bathurst 1000, Sandy Roberts or Bruce McAvaney would be the host during the early to mid 1990s.
In 1997, Seven lost the rights to the ATCC to Network Ten, but still broadcast the Australian Super Touring Championship until the series' demise in 2001. In 2003, Seven Sport broadcast the Nations Cup and V8 Utes, before Network Ten won the rights to broadcast the V8 Utes in 2005 after the collapse of organising body Procar Australia.
From 2007 until 2014, Seven regained the rights to the ATCC, which was now known as V8 Supercars. The commentary team included Neil Crompton, Mark Skaife and Mark Larkham. From 2015, Seven Sport broadcasts the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race.
Seven Sport has used "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer as its theme since 1980. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Seven used the music piece for Sporting events such as: AFL, Australian Open and Australian Touring Car Championship. Up until 2011, an abridged version of the opening fanfare was used.
Seven Sport holds broadcast rights to the following events:
Seven Sport has presented the following recurring programmes:
Most Seven programs, except Sunrise and The Chase Australia, went on hiatus during Seven's broadcast of the Olympic Games.
Bruce McAvaney (Host/Main Commentator)
Hamish McLachlan (Host)
Mel McLaughlin (Host)
Jim Wilson (Host)
Kylie Gillies (Host)
Todd Woodbridge (Host)
David Koch (Olympic Sunrise Host)
Natalie Barr (Olympic Sunrise Host)
Johanna Griggs (Host/Reporter/Ceremonies Commentator)
Rachael Finch (Reporter)
Edwina Bartholomew (Olympic Sunrise Reporter)
Mark Braybrook (Commentator)
Neil Kearney (Reporter)
Ryan Phelan (Olympic Update Host)
Amanda Abate (Olympic Update Host)
Steve Hooker (Athletics Commentator)
Tamsyn Lewis (Athletics Commentator)
Dave Culbert (Athletics/Canoeing/Kayaking Commentator)
Pat Welsh (Trackside Athletics Commentator)
Basil Zempilas (Swimming Commentator)
Giaan Rooney (Swimming Commentator)
Nathan Templeton (Poolside Swimming Commentator)
Phil Liggett (Cycling Commentator)
Scott McGrory (Cycling Commentator)
Kate Bates (Cycling Commentator)
Drew Ginn (Rowing/Canoeing/Kayaking Commentator)
Brenton Speed (Rowing Commentator)
John Casey (Basketball Commentator)
Andrew Gaze (Basketball Commentator)
Lauren Jackson (Basketball Commentator)
Michael McCann (Diving Commentator)
Loudy Wiggins (Diving Commentator)
David Christison (Hockey Commentator)
Rechelle Hawkes (Hockey Commentator)
Vicki Roycroft (Equestrian Commentator)
Martin Gostelow (Equestrian Commentator)
Geoff Masters (Tennis Commentator)
Debbie Watson (Water Polo Commentator)
Bill Woods (Water Polo Commentator)
Mark Readings (7Two & 7Mate Host/Commentator)
Jason Richardson (7Two & 7Mate Host)
Aaron Noonan (7Two & 7Mate Host)
Michael Zappone (7Two & 7Mate Host/Football Commentator)
As Seven is forced to show viewers in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland games featuring their respective teams live, sometimes it will show a different game at the same time into these markets then into the rest of Australia. On these occasions, it will pick up Fox Footy's coverage of the match.
Bruce McAvaney (1990–2001; 2007–present) (Host/Commentator)
Leigh Matthews (1996–1998; 2009–present) (Commentator)
Tim Watson (1992, 1996–1998; 2007–present) (Commentator/Talking Footy Panelist)
Matthew Richardson (2010–present) (Commentator)
Luke Darcy (2012–present) (Host/Commentator/Talking Footy Host)
Brian Taylor (2012–present) (Host/Commentator)
Cameron Ling (2012–present) (Commentator)
Samantha Lane (2013–present) (Saturday Night Pre–game show Panelist/Reporter, Women's Commentator)
Andrew Welsh (2013–present) (Field Commentator)
Hamish McLachlan (2012–present) (Host/Commentator/AFL Game Day Host)
Basil Zempilas (2012–present) (Host/Commentator/Saturday Night Footy Central updates)
Jude Bolton (2014–present) (Field Commentator)
Wayne Carey (2014–present) (Commentator/Talking Footy Panelist)
Mick Molloy (2014–present) (Saturday Night Pre–game show Panelist)
Nick Maxwell (2015–present) (Field Commentator)
Jason Bennett (2016-present) (Saturday Afternoon, Sunday Afternoon commentator, VFL Commentator, Women's Commentator)
Nigel Carmody (2017-present) (AFLW/VFL Commentator)
Mark McVeigh (2013-2014)
Dennis Cometti (1986-2001, 2007-2016)
Michael Malthouse (2012)
Tom Harley (2010–2014)
Brett Kirk (2012) – Now Midfield coach at the Sydney Swans
Kevin Bartlett (1992-2001) - Now commentator on SEN
Jason Dunstall Now commentator on Fox Footy and Triple M
Sandy Roberts (1981–2001) – Now Fox Footy commentator
Neil Kerley (1990s–2001)
Nathan Buckley (2008–2009) – Now coach of the Collingwood Football Club
Rick Olarenshaw (2007–2009)
Richard Osborne (1999–2001)
Anthony Hudson (1999–2001) – Now Fox Footy commentator
Peter McKenna (1978–2001)
Robert Walls (1998–2001) – Now SEN 1116 commentator
Malcolm Blight (1988, 1995–1996, 2000)
Mick McGuane (1997-1999)
Tony Shaw (2000-2001)
Robert Dipierdomenico (1991–2001)
Ian Robertson (1980s–2001)
Matthew Campbell (1990s–2001) – Now Fox Footy commentator
Gerard Healy (1990s–2001) – Now Fox Footy Commentator
Peter Landy (1971–1999)
Drew Morphett (1988–2000) – Now commentator on ABC Radio
Craig Hutchison (2001)
Andrew Maher (2001)
James Brayshaw (1997–2001) – Now host of The Footy Show and Triple M commentator and presenter
Chris Dittmar (1995–2001) – Now Triple M commentator
Dale Lewis (2001) – Now Triple M commentator
Mike Williamson (1959–1977)
Tony Charlton (1957–1960) – Deceased
David Schwarz (2007–2011)
Peter Larkins (2012–2013)
Lou Richards (1959-1986)
Australian Open
Basil Zempilas (2012–present) (Night Host/Commentator)
Hamish McLachlan (2009–present) (Evening Host/Commentator)
Mel McLaughlin (2017-present) (Night Host)
Todd Woodbridge (2005–present) (Early Arvo Host /Commentator)
Jim Courier (2005–present) (Commentator)
Roger Rasheed (2008–present) (Commentator)
Lleyton Hewitt (2011–present) (Commentator)
John Newcombe (1980s–present) (Commentator)
Allan Stone (1980s–present) (Commentator)
Rennae Stubbs (2011–present) (Commentator)
Geoff Masters (1980s–present) (Commentator)
John Fitzgerald (1990s–present) (Commentator)
Nicole Bradtke (2000s–present) (Commentator)
Henri Leconte (2010–present) (Commentator)
Alicia Molik (2011, 2015) (Commentator)
Rachael Finch (2014–present) (Reporter)
Giaan Rooney (2013, 2015) (Reporter)
Peter Donegan (2011-Present) (Early Morning Host/ Commentator)
Jo Griggs (2016) (Early Morning Host)
Jim Wilson (2014-2016) (Afternoon Host)
Dave Culbert (2016) (Afternoon Host)
Jason Richardson (2016) (Late Evening Host)
Kim Clijsters (2016) (Commentator)
Jason Bennett (2017–present) (Commentator)
Brisbane International
Todd Woodbridge (Host/Commentator)
Hamish McLachlan (Host/Commentator)
Rennae Stubbs (Commentator)
Geoff Masters (Commentator)
John Fitzgerald (Commentator)
Sydney International
Ryan Phelan (2014–present) (Host)
Mel McLaughlin (2017–present) (Host)
Hamish McLachlan (Host/Commentator)
Todd Woodbridge (Commentator)
John Newcombe (Commentator)
Allan Stone (Commentator)
Rennae Stubbs (Commentator)
Geoff Masters (Commentator)
John Fitzgerald (Commentator)
Wimbledon
Todd Woodbridge (Host/Commentator)
Rennae Stubbs (Commentator)
Sam Smith (Commentator)
John Newcombe (Commentator)
Geoff Masters (Commentator)
Jim Courier (Occasional comments)
Darren Cahill (Occasional comments)
Davis Cup
Todd Woodbridge (Host/Commentator)
Basil Zempilas (Host/Commentator, Perth events)
John Fitzgerald (Commentator)
Roger Rasheed (Commentator)
Past
Kylie Gillies (1996–2010) (Reporter/Presenter, Australian Open)
Bruce McAvaney (1990s–2016) (Commentator)
Scherri-Lee Biggs (2013–2014) (Reporter)
John Alexander (1990s–2010) (Commentator)
Sandy Roberts (1980–2013) (Host/MC/Commentator)
Tracy Austin (2006–2010) (Commentator)
Matthew White (2005–2012, 2014) (Host/Commentator)
Tom Williams (2000s–2013) (Reporter)
Luke Darcy (2014) (Host/Commentator, Brisbane International)
Johanna Griggs (1990s–2012, 2014) (Host)
Rebecca Maddern (2014–2015) (Reporter)
Melbourne Cup
Bruce McAvaney (Host, 2002–present)
Simon Marshall (Co-host, 2002–present)
Rachael Finch (Presenter/Reporter, 2011–present)
Hamish McLachlan (Presenter/Reporter, 2007–present)
John Letts (Interviews, 2002–present)
Johanna Griggs (Presenter/Reporter, 2002–present)
Pat Welsh (Presenter/Reporter, 2002–present)
Ryan Phelan (Presenter/Reporter, 2014–present)
Rebecca Maddern (Presenter/Reporter, 2013–present)
Basil Zempilas (MC, 2014–present)
Major races
Bruce McAvaney (Host, 2013–present)
Simon Marshall (Co-host, 2013–present)
Ryan Phelan (Presenter/Reporter, 2014–present)
Rebecca Maddern (Presenter/Reporter, 2013–present)
Rachael Finch (Presenter/Reporter, 2013–present)
Hamish McLachlan (Presenter/Reporter, 2013–present)
John Letts (Interviews, 2013–present)
Minor races
Ryan Phelan (Host, 2013–present)
Simon Marshall (Co-host, 2013–present)
John Letts (Interviews, 2013–present)
Past
Giaan Rooney (2013)
Scherri-Lee Biggs (2012–2013)
Sonia Kruger (2002–2011)
Matthew White (2004–2012)
Glen Boss (2011)
Sandy Roberts (2002–2013)
Kylie Gillies (2002–2006)
V8 Supercars
Mark Beretta (Host/Commentator/Pit reporter, 2007–2014)
Neil Crompton (Host/Commentator/V8 Xtra Host, 2007–2014)
Mark Skaife (Commentator, 2009–2014)
Mark Larkham (Pit reporter/Expert Analysis, 2009–2014)
Greg Murphy (Pit reporter/Commentator, 2012–2014)
Aaron Noonan (Support category commentator, 2007-2014)
Chad Neylon (Support category commentator, 2013-2014)
Matthew White (Host/Commentator, 2007–April 2014)
Tom Williams (Reporter, 2007–2013)
Grant Denyer (Pit reporter, 2007–2011)
Bathurst 12 Hour
Mark Beretta (Host/Pit reporter, 2015-present)
Richard Craill (Commentator, 2015-present)
Graham Goodwin (Commentator, 2015-Present)
John Hindhaugh (Commentator, 2015-present)
Shea Adam (Pit reporter, 2015-present)
Chad Neylon (Pit reporter, 2016-present)
Jim Wilson (Host)
Ryan Phelan (Host)
Mel McLaughlin (Host)
Andrew Voss (Commentator)
Joel Caine (Commentator)
Matt Russell (Commentator)
Peter Donegan (Host, 2014-present)
Ian Baker Finch (Commentator, 2012–present)
Wayne Grady (Commentator, 2012–present)
Pat Welsh (On Course Commentator/Reporter, 2012–present)
Past
Sandy Roberts (Host/Commentator, 2012–2013)
