The AFL's broadcasting bidding wars appear to have come to a close with Foxtel and the Seven network said to have won out in the arms race for footy fan's eyes.

As reported by The Australian Financial Review on Monday, the pair of incumbent broadcasters will retain their dual rights to host AFL and AFLW contests, with an updated deal set to commence at the cessation of the 2024 season.

While each of the 10 Network, the Nine Network and affiliated streaming services such as Paramount + and Stan all made plays to become the new homes of football, the status quo will remain, with a few tweaks for good measure.

In an updated deal that is set to net the league within the vicinity of $550 million per season, Foxtel, and their affiliate service Kayo, will now have the sole rights to host each Saturday fixture.

The paid services have also been green-lit to block local markets from broadcasting their product live on free-to-air channels.

Foxtel, through their Fox Footy channel, will now be afforded the right to use their own commentating talent in each of the nine AFL fixtures each week, a shift from the present agreement.

In an effort to appease the Seven Network, the free-to-air service will host an increased amount of Thursday night clashes, with the long-term league broadcasters set to enjoy exclusive rights to the commencement of rounds stamped with early starts.

Each and every final will still be shown live by Seven for the length of the fresh agreement.

According to numerous sources, including the AFR, Kayo's extensive customer base with users from rugby league heartlands in New South Wales and Queensland was said to have played a leading role in swaying the competition's powerbrokers.

The current agreement between the AFL, Foxtel and Seven will expire in 2024, with the latest rich deal set to commence ahead of the 2025 campaign.

2 COMMENTS

  1. … so basically, we get shafted.

    No free-to-air football broadcasts in Adelaide (or probably WA either).

    “afl” in name only….. this is crap – a complete “sell-out”. I wonder how executive “KPI’s” feature in this “decision”?

  2. “According to numerous sources, including the AFR, Kayo’s extensive customer base with users from rugby league heartlands in New South Wales and Queensland was said to have played a leading role in swaying the competition’s powerbrokers.”

    …… I call bullshit.

    Someone’s getting a “bonus”….

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