Over 2 million tune in to Seven for first AFL match of 2023

The 2023 AFL Premiership Season scored high last night, with Seven reporting that the season opener between Richmond and Carlton reached 2.14 million viewers on Channel Seven and 7mate.

The match peaked at 1.07 million viewers nationally, averaging 699,000 viewers. This represents a lift of 19% compared to the 2022 AFL series average and up 5% on the 2022 season opening Thursday night.

Richmond and Carlton’s 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 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.”

Before the season launch, Mediaweek spoke to Seven West Media national sport sales director, Rob Maclean about the fact that nearly every sponsor from the 2022 season has renewed for this season, as well as adding a couple of brands into the mix.

See Also: Before the centre bounce: What Seven’s AFL kick off means for brands in 2023

“They recognise the value that we can deliver, the effectiveness of the campaigns that we can execute, and ultimately the return that can be achieved by aligning to Seven’s AFL property. We’ve got a really fantastic track record of delivering great solutions for our partners, many of whom have been collaborating with Seven for a number of years now and support the AFL industry. It just really reinforces that Seven, and Seven’s AFL coverage is the most powerful platform for brands over winter.”