The Seven Network’s exclusive coverage of the 2024 AFL Grand Final captured the attention of the nation on Saturday, reaching 6.09 million Australians and becoming the most-watched program of 2024.
The Grand Final, which saw the Brisbane Lions take the 2024 crown in a dominant 60 point victory over the Sydney Swans, captured a total TV audience of 4.024 million, including 655,000 on 7plus Sport – the biggest ever audience for an AFL match on a streaming platform. Viewing on 7plus Sport was up 44% on 2023.
This year’s showdown was the most watched AFL Grand Final since 2021 and up more than 20,000 total TV viewers on the 2023 season closer between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.
The AFL Grand Final now accounts for two of top three programs so far in 2024, with the Grand Final at #1 and AFL Grand Final Presentations at #3 (total TV audience 3.39 million, national reach 5.11 million).
The Grand Final, Presentations, On The Ground and Pre-Match Entertainment were the four most-watched programs in all people, 25 to 54s, 16 to 39s and grocery shoppers on Saturday. 7NEWS ranked #5.
The 2024 Grand Final captured an 89.9% commercial audience share in its timeslot. From 6am to 6pm on Saturday, Seven had an 81.7% audience share. 7plus dominated BVOD viewing on Saturday, with 236.5 million minutes viewed, a 76.7% commercial share of live streaming and a 73.2% commercial BVOD share.
See also: TV ratings Football Finals 2024: Some predicted AFL Grand Final record – what happened?
7Sport at AFL Grand Final
Seven’s AFL Grand Final by the numbers
AFL Grand Final: National reach 6.09 million, national total TV audience 4.024 million, including 655,000 on 7plus Sport (up 44% on 2023)
AFL Grand Final Presentations: National reach 5.11 million, national total TV audience 3.39 million
AFL Grand Final On The Ground: National reach 3.77 million, national total TV audience 2.98 million
AFL Grand Final Pre-Match Entertainment: National reach 3.54 million, national total TV audience 1.37 million
AFL Grand Final Countdown: National reach 1.13 million, national total TV audience 504,000
AFL Grand Final Brunch: National reach 974,000, national total TV audience 386,000
Seven’s Chris Jones
Seven Network director of sport, Chris Jones, said: “Following one of the most unpredictable AFL seasons in recent memory, what a fitting finale it was. Chris Fagan, who is one of the best people in the industry, has overcome so much through his entire career and has now led his Lions to premiership glory.
“Congratulations to the players and thank you on behalf of our production team to everyone within the AFL who allowed us to tell their stories.
“As we finish the 2024 season, we have our sights set firmly on a bigger and better 2025 AFL Premiership Season with more programming and analysis than ever before. And like Saturday’s Grand Final, every game we cover live will be streamed for free on 7plus Sport. It’s going to be massive,” he said.
Gereurd Roberts, group managing director, Seven Digital, said: “The record-breaking number of people who watched the AFL Grand Final on 7plus Sport clearly demonstrates how the addition of AFL and cricket to 7plus will forever change the way Australians watch and engage with sport, and create unprecedented opportunities for our clients and agency partners.
“We’ve always said the arrival of AFL and cricket on 7plus would be a defining moment in the digital streaming revolution, and Saturday’s numbers prove that. With a massive summer of cricket to come, including five Tests between Australia and India, Australians can now watch every Seven sport, live and free on any device from anywhere in the country, at any time. And the weekend’s Grand Final shows just how important that is to them.”
Seven’s Katie Finney
Seven national television sales director, Katie Finney, said: “The AFL once again proved to be the #1 winter sport for audiences and brands. Seven’s AFL coverage reached 6.09 million viewers, offering unparalleled reach and engagement across all demographics and with AFL now streaming live and free on 7plus Sport in 2025, it’s set to grow even further.
“Free live sport is where brands can connect with audiences and cultural moments at scale, and the biggest events this summer are on Seven and 7plus Sport, including the upcoming Bathurst 1000 in two weeks and the Australia vs India Test match starting 22 November.”
Seven’s head of AFL and sport innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said: “In a fantastic story for football in Australia’s northern states, we are thrilled to have captured every corner of the nation on Australian sport’s biggest day.
“Footy is in our DNA, and Seven’s coverage showcase the entertainment and passion of the AFL competition like no one else. We thank the AFL, its players, Clubs and most importantly the fans whose passion for the game drives everything we do at 7AFL.”