Seven Network Olympic broadcasts
| Company type | Broadcast rights holder |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Olympic Games coverage |
The Seven Network in Australia broadcasts the Summer and Winter Olympic Games coverage produced by Seven Sport.
Seven first aired the Olympics in 1956, sharing the broadcast with the Nine Network and the ABC. Since then, it has periodically televised the Olympic Games, sometimes as a sole broadcaster and other times in partnership.
Early history
The 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne marked Australia's inaugural Olympic telecast, with Seven collaborating alongside ABC and Nine in Melbourne and Sydney.
This trio also covered the 1976 Summer Olympics, after which Seven obtained exclusive rights for the 1980 Summer Olympics. Although it lost broadcasting privileges for the subsequent two Games, Seven regained them beginning with the 1992 Summer Olympics. Due to increasing production expenses, Seven shared coverage with SBS during the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Recent years
For the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Seven held Australian rights across free-to-air, pay television, online, and mobile platforms, sublicensing some events to SBS. Seven focused on mainstream sports and ceremonies, while SBS provided coverage of extended events such as football and volleyball.
Broadcasting rights for the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics were acquired by a joint venture between Nine Network and Foxtel, whereas Network Ten secured rights for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
On 5 August 2014, Seven obtained Australian multi-platform rights for the Olympic Games from 2016 through 2020, including the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, under an undisclosed agreement. IOC president Thomas Bach described this as a "homecoming." Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner highlighted that unlike previous arrangements requiring sublicensing, Seven could fully capitalize on approximately 150 hours of daily content but remained open to sublicensing options.
During the 2016 Summer Olympics, coverage was broadcast on Seven, 7Two, and 7mate, with temporary HD simulcasts available in major metropolitan areas. A freemium mobile application offered comprehensive live and on-demand access for $19.99, free for Telstra customers. Free programming included 900 hours simulcast from primary channels plus an additional 300 hours exclusive to digital platforms. Afternoon highlight packages were aired alongside primetime shows like In Rio Today, featuring key moments and interviews. Regular broadcasts such as Sunrise and Seven News continued throughout the event.
For the 2018 Winter Olympics, Seven’s coverage spanned its main channels—Seven, 7Two, 7mate—and its "OlympicsOn7" app, which provided both complimentary and premium content totaling roughly 245 hours. Scheduled programs including Sunrise, The Chase Australia, and Home & Away remained on air during Olympic broadcasts. Presenters Hamish McLachlan, Edwina Bartholomew, Mel McLaughlin, and Jason Richardson were stationed in PyeongChang. Additionally, three Olympic-themed specials of The Front Bar were produced during this period.
The rights for the 2024 Summer Olympics, 2026 Winter Olympics, 2028 Summer Olympics, 2030 Winter Olympics, and 2032 Summer Olympics were awarded to competitor Nine Network, resulting in Seven losing broadcasting privileges for these events.
Awards and honors
As an Olympic broadcaster, Seven received the Olympic Golden Rings award for Best Television Coverage at the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens.
During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Seven alongside NBC Universal earned several Golden Rings awards. Seven won the Golden Ring for Best Olympic Programme, obtained the Silver Ring for Best Olympic Feature (with NBC Universal receiving the Golden Ring), and was awarded the Bronze Ring for Best Sports Coverage—ranking behind SRG (Switzerland) and YLE (Finland).
Criticism
The Seven Network's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics attracted considerable viewer dissatisfaction, largely due to contractual commitments that gave precedence to Australian Football League (AFL) broadcasts over Olympic competitions. This led to delays in showing team events and the notable exclusion of popular commentators Roy and HG, which further aggravated audience discontent.
Regarding the 2016 Summer Olympics, Seven's decision to offer comprehensive access through a subscription-based platform generated debate. Critics argued this strategy effectively bypassed Australia's anti-siphoning legislation, designed to ensure that major sporting events such as the Olympics are predominantly available on free-to-air television. Tony Shepherd, chairman of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), condemned this approach as proof that anti-siphoning laws no longer reflect current media realities. Although he acknowledged the paywall's legality, Shepherd emphasized that it compromises the original purpose of these regulations.
Ratings
Seven Network experienced a substantial surge in viewership during its coverage of the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, achieving its highest television ratings in Australia in nearly two decades. The opening ceremony drew an audience of 6.5 million, ranking among the most-watched broadcasts nationally. This momentum culminated in a comprehensive ratings victory across Australia by 2007.
Broadcast rights history
| Year | Host | Shared telecast | Multichannels used | Cost of rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 Summer | Melbourne | Multichannels not yet introduced | NA | |
| 1976 Summer | Montreal | NA | ||
| 1980 Summer | Moscow | NA | ||
| 1992 Summer | Barcelona | NA | ||
| 1996 Summer | Atlanta | NA | ||
| 2000 Summer | Sydney | NA | ||
| 2002 Winter | Salt Lake City | |||
| 2004 Summer | Athens | NA | ||
| 2006 Winter | Turin | $71 million | ||
| 2008 Summer | Beijing | 7HD (simulcast) | NA | |
| 2016 Summer | Rio de Janeiro | 7Two 7mate |
$150-$170 million | |
| 2018 Winter | Pyeongchang | 7Two 7mate |
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| 2020 Summer | Tokyo | 7Two 7mate 7plus (streaming) |
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| 2022 Winter | Beijing | 7Two 7mate 7plus (streaming) |
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