Channel 7 will stamp its credentials as a future NRL broadcast partner by launching a new rugby league show this year in opposition to free-to-air rival Channel 9.
The plan is to launch a Monday or Tuesday night show mid-year before State of Origin for eight weeks on a trial basis, live on 7 Mate and 7 Plus before a replay later on the network’s main channel.
Depending on ratings, the hope is to run the show again during the finals and then weekly from next year.
The likes of Corey Parker, Denan Kemp, Willie Mason are under consideration for the panel that will include two senior NRL journalists.
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I assume live on 7mate for NRL states while the AFL states gets Agenda Setters.
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Come to think of it, I think Nine should renew their NRL FTA rights for the 2027-31 period, so that it aligns with Seven’s AFL broadcasting rights expiring at the same time.
Then in 2032 we could potentially see the codes swap networks, in what could prove to be a game-changer.
We’ve seen the cricket and tennis rights swap hands not too long ago, so why not with the AFL and league?
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This will be like 2002-06 when 9 had the AFL and NRL rights during that period
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Maurie Plant Meet 2025
Saturday 29 March 7:00PM AEDT Seven (Sydney, Melb) and 7Mate
An action-packed evening as Lakeside Stadium will host global superstars and homegrown heroes at the Maurie Plant Meet 2025.
Autumn Racing Spectacular on Seven
See Australia’s champions gallop to Group 1 glory, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport
The Seven Network’s horse racing will reach spectacular heights this week, as Western Sydney’s jewel in the crown – Golden Slipper Day – takes centre stage at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 22 March.
Headlined by the world’s richest-two-year-old race, the $5 million Golden Slipper is Australia’s biggest day of racing featuring six Group 1 events and promises to deliver a series of history-making moments on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Seven’s coverage will be led by horse racing’s number #1 commentary team including Australia’s pre-eminent sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, plus Emma Freedman, Jason Richardson, Lizzie Jelfs and Katelyn McDonald.
Juvenile stars Wodeton, Tempted and Skyhook currently head the markets in this year’s wide-open edition although all eyes will be on Queen of the Turf Gai Waterhouse, as she and co-trainer Adrian Bott aim to win a record ninth Golden Slipper with contenders Bellazaine, North England and Farcited, following success last year with Lady of Camelot.
Also on Saturday, The Valley will play host to more elite racing in Melbourne, featuring the $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m) for Australia’s best WFA sprinters including Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmystar and runner-up She’s Bulletproof, live and free from 12.00pm AEDT on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Australian Cup Day on Saturday, 29 March brings a conclusion to Flemington’s Racing Spectacular. The $2.5 million Australian Cup has seen past champions including Makybe Diva, Lonhro and his father Octagonal take home the prestigious event. North of the border is Tancred Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens headlined by the Group 1 $1.5 million Tancred Stakes and Vinery Stud Stakes – both traditional lead up races to the Sydney Cup and Australian Oaks two weeks later.
Attention then turns to the grand finals of Australian racing, The Championships Day 1 and Day 2 at Royal Randwick across the first two weeks of April, with Sydney racing’s most coveted prizes totalling over $25 million in prizemoney are on the line.
The Championships Day on 5 April features the time-honoured Group 1 ATC Australian Derby, the famous $4 million Doncaster Mile, and the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes among other elite races, with racegoers taking on the traditional black and white fashion attire of Derby Day.
The $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) headlines The Championships Day 2 on 12 April at Royal Randwick, which also plays host to the Group 1 $2 million Sydney
Cup, Group 1 $1 million Queen of the Turf Stakes and the $2 million Group 1 Australian Oaks for the best staying filles and mares.Seven Network Director of Sport, Chris Jones, said: “Seven will once again reach spectacular heights, bringing the best of Sydney and Melbourne thoroughbred racing action, news, personalities and colour across March and April.
“Featuring Australia’s best racing commentary team of experts led by Bruce McAvaney, Emma Freedman, Jason Richardson, Lizzie Jelfs and Katelyn McDonald, racing fans will not miss a beat of the action, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.”
Seven has long been the undisputed leader in racing broadcasting and continues that rich tradition in 2025.
In 2024, Seven’s racing coverage reached 10.2 million Australians (across broadcast and BVOD) and was up 51% year-on-year on 7plus Sport.
A long-term agreement to 2027 with Racing Victoria and Racing NSW, which includes key race days in conjunction with Racing Queensland and Racing SA, cements Seven as Australia’s home of racing and means Australians enjoy 52 weeks of elite racing across the country.
Golden Slipper Raceday at Rosehill Gardens
William Reid Stakes Day at The Valley
Saturday, 22 March 12.00pm AEDT live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport
TV broadcast times on Seven:
SATURDAY 22 MARCH
Rosehill – Golden Slipper Day
Moonee Valley – William Reid Stakes Day
| Sydney and Melbourne | 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Brisbane | 11.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
| Adelaide | 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 2.30pm live on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Perth | 9.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 12.00 pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
SATURDAY 29 MARCH
Flemington – TAB Australian Cup Day
Rosehill – Tancred Stakes Day
| Sydney and Melbourne | 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Brisbane | 11.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
| Adelaide | 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm live on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Perth | 9.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 12.00 pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
SATURDAY 5 APRIL
Randwick – The Star Championships Day One Caulfield – Easter Cup Day
| Sydney and Melbourne | 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Brisbane | 11.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
| Adelaide | 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 2.30pm live on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Perth | 9.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport, 12.00 pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport |
SATURDAY 12 APRIL
Randwick – The Championships Day Two Bendigo – Golden Mile Day
| Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane | 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Adelaide | 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 5.00pm live on 7two and 7plus Sport |
| Perth | 10.00am live on 7two and 7plus Sport |
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