They could easily carry this on 7mate with one hour to spare. Or does it look that out-of-place?
As I’ve said, a missed opportunity here. Should have been on the main channel in all markets outside of Brisbane.
(It would look a bit weird having one half on 7mate and one on 7)
7Two is the main overflow channel for racing, and it would come down to demographics. Racing skews old, which fits with the general approach of 7Two rather than the younger demographic targeted by 7Mate.
Makes you wonder why Seven have invested so much into non-Melbourne Cup races over the past decade or so, especially since COVID. Has to be due to the advertisers/ wagering partners and sponsors, must drive significant revenue for SWM? I mean it’s not like all people averages are high either.
Regardless of poor key demos, which you usually associate with less advertising.
Yep
It also delivers them pretty well 52 weeks of sport too, that’s relatively easy to cover
The advertising revenue from the horse racing coverage would be significantly higher than whatever else Seven could be showing on 7two at the time (and probably higher than most of what non-sport content would normally air on Seven for that matter) owing to the almost non-existent limits on gambling advertising during horse racing broadcasts.
That ability to run nearly endless gambling advertising is probably why Seven pick up some of the feature harness and greyhound meetings through the year. Displacing loyal viewers of British mystery reruns or Escape To The Country in the evening timeslot probably reduces the lucrativeness of it, hence not doing it every week for bog-standard meetings.
If it wasn’t for the costs and availability of hosting talent, I reckon Seven would be interested in running Sunday races on 7two for most of the year as the race quality is similar to a lot of Saturday meetings.
Monday 8 December 7Mate Live all markets AEDT
05:00 AM NFL Week 14: Colts @ Jaguars
08:00 AM NFL Week 14: Rams @ Cardinals
Friday 12 December 7Mate Live all markets AEDT
10:00 AM NFL NFL 100 Greatest Games Part 4
11:00 AM NFL Tailgate
12:00 PM NFL Week 15: Falcons @ Buccaneers
Legendary broadcaster receives World Athletics President’s Award
Seven West Media is proud to congratulate Bruce McAvaney OAM on receiving the World Athletics President’s Award for his lifelong support and contributions to athletics broadcasting.
Presented on Sunday night in Monaco by Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics President’s Award – which was first bestowed in 2016 – is given to those who have made significant contributions to the sport and is one of the highest honours in world sport.
The most recognised, respected and loved sport commentator in Australia, Bruce started his television career at 7NEWS in Adelaide in 1978 and went on to present many high-profile sports throughout his career, including AFL, horse racing, motor racing, tennis, golf and Olympic and Commonwealth Games – but none is dearer to his heart than athletics.
The legendary broadcaster is synonymous with major sporting events, including the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open tennis, Test cricket and the Summer Olympic Games, covering every Olympiad from Moscow 1980 through to Paris 2024, with the exception of the 2012 Games.
Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, said: “I have known Bruce for three decades and love the guy. He is synonymous with athletics and many other sports, and I am very proud of his huge contribution to Seven Sport’s success.
“Bruce has a unique and very warm connection with both athletics and the public, and I congratulate him on receiving this honour. Everyone at Seven is very proud of Bruce and his achievements,” he said.
Bruce said: “Athletics has been the central thread of my career at Seven and is a sport I hold incredibly close to my heart.
“To be honoured in this way, and by someone I have such enormous admiration for in Sebastian Coe, is truly one of the highlights of my career.
"The timing makes it feel especially meaningful. I genuinely believe Australian athletics is entering a revitalised golden era, and with the renewed focus on the sport right now, this recognition carries even greater significance for me,” he said.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work across many major events and sports, but nothing compares to athletics at the highest level. The opportunity to call those defining, once-in-a-lifetime moments, from Cathy’s unforgettable race at Sydney 2000, to Ollie Hoare’s brilliance in Birmingham, and everything still to come at Glasgow in 2026 – those moments are what fuel my passion and make my job as a broadcaster so special.”
Australian Sport Hall of Fame Legend and five-time Olympic Medal winner, Catherine Freeman OAM, said: “Bruce McAvaney is a gift to us all. His voice, his charisma and his ability to tell athlete’s stories while taking sports fans along for the ride, is an experience for us all to behold.
“Bruce continues to connect sports lovers through his passion, professionalism and his infectious love for life that has shone the whole way through his broadcasting
career.“Congratulations Bruce McAvaney on your World Athletics President’s Award, a truly well-earned honour,” she said.
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting has been postponed until Sunday due to the extreme weather conditions forecast for Sydney. Seven’s Saturday racing coverage will include races from Ballarat Cup Day and Doomben.
Jason Richardson and Emma Freedman hosting this year’s Heroes and Legends special.
14 December 12:00 PM
Join Mark Beretta and Olympian Mack Horton on the biggest Tour De Cure yet, cycling across Queensland to raise money for cancer research. Features a touching tribute to Prof. Richard Scolyer.
Monday 22 December 7Mate Live all markets AEDT
05:00 AM NFL Week 16: Buccaneers @ Panthers
08:00 AM NFL Week 16: Jaguars @ Broncos
Friday 12 December 7Mate Live all markets AEDT
11:00 AM NFL Tailgate (except Perth)
12:00 PM NFL Week 17: Broncos @ Chiefs
Aaron Bryans’ feature interview with Bruce McAvaney was played on Grandstand on ABC Radio this afternoon. The interview was recorded after Bruce returned home in Adelaide from his recent trip to Monaco, where he received the World Athletics President’s Award. They talked about athletics, AFL and horse racing.
Later on Grandstand, Sam Lane said she first met Bruce when she was 10. Sam said her father Tim Lane was having dinner with Bruce, and Tim later told Sam (who had no interest in sport at the time) that she should see Bruce.
Seven has lost another sporting event, with the annual Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race moving to SBS next year.
Left with only AFL and cricket. Olympics, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race used to be a staple for 7 all gone to 9 while the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race is on SBS. The TDU could be next on the chopping block
Seven needs live sport during daytime in summer, with its BBL telecast mostly at night. I think the network will fight hard to keep the Tour Down Under.
