Could Seven’s revamped AFL coverage be the draw card to make Eddie McGuire defect?
The Seven Network’s major plans to take over AFL coverage in 2025 is unquestionably impressive. Could it be the draw card required to make Nine heavyweight Eddie McGuire defect?
News broke earlier this month that McGuire met with Seven’s news boss, Anthony De Ceglie, and the Seven Network soon after announced revamped plans for the AFL in 2025 – including streaming rights – as well as a slew of big-name talent joining the coverage, including Kane Cornes and Nick Riewoldt.
Earlier this week, it was also announced that fellow Nine talent, Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) CEO Craig Hutchison, will return to Seven next year after 18 years to headline AFL talk show, The Agenda Setters.
While McGuire nor Seven commented on the meeting publicly, the media giant’s movements particularly in the AFL space could suggest there is some fire around the smoke.
Eddie McGuire
“Eddie McGuire with Nine, I mean, they’re synonymous, right? And so for him to even consider moving, good on Seven if they’re having a crack,” Mumbrella publisher, Adam Lang, said on the latest episode of the Mumbrellacast.
“I think in the end here, we’re talking about really capable people, high production values, very competitive. The audience is probably going to win here.
“What they get will probably be new, it’ll definitely be bold. I mean, watch for the first episodes and then see how they settle in, because I think it’s going to be quite spectacular.”
Lang said if the move could be pulled off, it will not just be a win for the audiences, but also for Seven clients and advertisers, as well as club and game sponsors.
“This is a fascinating business model and you can see how this could work. It won’t be just, ‘Hey, will you buy some advertisements in my television show?’ It’ll be the streaming, the engagement with different segments, how those brands are presented, the at the game experience… it’s really hard to quarantine the sort of commercial offerings and audience offerings they will give. I think it’s a great space to watch.”
Interestingly, McGuire slammed Seven back in September when rumours that hosts of Nine’s Footy Classified show – Hutchison, Cornes and Caroline Wilson – were moving networks.
Craig Hutchison
“End of the season, you get rid of the list-cloggers and you move the new superstars in,” McGuire said.
“And that’s what we’re doing. The Footy Classified with Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison. That started 18 years ago. We commissioned it when I was up in Sydney, actually.
“And it’s been fantastic. And it’s great that Channel Copycat is just taking something we’ve done for 18 years and putting it on air.”
While Hutchison and Cornes are now in Seven’s stable, a potential move by Wilson is yet to be confirmed.
Listen to the full episode here.
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Not surprise specially if the price is right.
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Why would Seven want Eddie Everywhere?
They already have better talent and less ego to deal with.
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