The Seven Network has signed a new agreement with the South Australian National Football League.

The new agreement, which extends the SANFL’s relationship with the Seven Network until at least 2018, will see the SANFL match of the week shown on the network’s main Channel 7 station in Adelaide, predominantly on a Saturday afternoon.

SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said the return of the traditional timeslot was a direct response to feedback from football supporters.

“People have been telling us they love the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot, so we’ve worked hard with Channel 7 to make it happen in 2017,” he said.

“We are also delighted that the match of the week will be shown on the main channel, which is testament to the great ratings SANFL has achieved across the Seven Network over the past three years.”

The 2017 broadcast schedule will see a number of football double-headers where an AFL game either precedes or follows the SANFL broadcast.

The agreement, which includes a further four-year option to extend at the conclusion of the 2018 season, will also see Channel 7 continue to broadcast the Magarey Medal and Hall of Fame.

Seven Adelaide General Manager Tony Davison said he was looking forward to attracting a new generation of viewers to the game.

“We’re thrilled to sign on for a further two years minimum as the SANFL broadcast partner, showcasing the fabulous standard of football and some of the best talent on both SANFL and AFL lists.

“The Seven Network is committed to an expanding presence in sport and moves into 2017 with new long term and all-encompassing agreements for coverage of the AFL Premiership Season, Finals Series, the Grand Final and Brownlow Medal, the WAFL and importantly, the SANFL, Magarey Medal and Hall of Fame.”

 

The 2016 SANFL season culminated with the Grand Final averaging 117,000 viewers across the broadcast on Channel 7, an increase of more than 50,000 when compared with previous year.