From Seven:
AFL season opener reaches 2.14 million
Audience up 19% on 2022 season average
The 2023 AFL Premiership Season scored high on the Seven Network last night, with the live and free season opener between Richmond and Carlton reaching 2.14 million viewers on Channel 7 and 7mate.
The showdown peaked at 1.07 million viewers nationally, with the match averaging 699,000 viewers, up 19% compared to the 2022 AFL series average and up 5% on the 2022 season opening Thursday night.
Richmond and Carlton’s thrilling draw dominated TV viewing in their home town last night – ranking as the #1 program in Melbourne in total people, 25 to 54s and 16 to 39s – and was up 7% in Sydney on the 2022 season opening Thursday night.
Seven’s coverage captured 69.4% of the overall AFL TV audience for last night’s game, including 75% of all viewers in regional Australia.
Played in front of a sold-out crowd at the MCG, the blockbuster clash helped the Seven Network grow its overnight prime time audience in total people by 50% week-on-week, 81% in 25 to 54s and 132% in 16 to 39s.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “After a huge 2022 AFL season on Seven and the AFL Grand Final ranking as the #1 program in the 2022 ratings survey year, we’re thrilled to once again bring Australians the country’s number one sport, live and free.
“Seven’s unparalleled coverage, with an exceptional team of expert commentators, delivers the energy and passion of the new season to fans across Australia, and we can’t wait to see what new heart-stopping stories and unforgetting matches will unfold in 2023.”