Seven delivered a slate of new announcements at its 2023 upfront event on Tuesday, held at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.
The broadcaster revealed a raft of new and returning content announcements, a new channel, and new partnerships.
Below is a breakdown of what to expect from Seven over the next 12 months.
Seven Upfront: NBCU brings 7Bravo to Aus
Seven has joined forces with one of the world’s leading entertainment and media companies to create a new free-to-air channel for reality and true crime: 7Bravo.
Launching on 15 January 2023, the partnership between Seven Network and NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer will bring the best of NBCUniversal’s reality and true crime content to all Australians, live and free.
Key new programs coming to 7Bravo in 2023 will include Below Deck Down Under (S1), Below Deck Adventure, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip (S1), The Real Housewives of Dubai, The Real Housewives of Miami, Love Without Borders, Southern Hospitality, and Real Girlfriends in Paris, among others.
7Bravo and 7plus will be the free-to-air home of NBCUniversal’s portfolio of reality content, including unscripted TV franchises and series from Bravo and E!
7Bravo will also deliver audiences true crime content from Oxygen True Crime, including Snapped, 911 Crisis Center, Buried in the Backyard, Exhumed, Black Widow Murders, Accident, Suicide or Murder, and The First Mindhunter.
Additionally, the new channel will feature The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Judge Jerry, as well as all the red carpet glamour from the biggest awards shows with Live From E!
The new channel will also be the first broadcast home in Australia for reality and true crime content produced for Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
7Bravo will join Channel Seven, 7mate, 7two and 7flix in the Seven Network, complementing the existing channels and giving viewers and advertisers a new content schedule to work with.
Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, James Warburton, said: “We are honoured and excited to join NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to- Consumer in creating 7Bravo. NBCUniversal is a global content powerhouse and the creator of some of the best-known and most-loved entertainment brands in the world, and we look forward to being the broadcast home to the next generation of the best new reality and true crime series to come. With its strong female appeal, 7Bravo is a great addition to the Seven family.”
Chris Taylor, MD, NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer and Distribution, ANZ, executive chairman of Bravo New Zealand, said: “We are delighted to partner with Seven, to bring Bravo, the ultimate reality and entertainment destination, to Australian audiences for the first time. 7Bravo will be the free-to-air home of binge-worthy and award-winning shows, the best Bravo franchises, E!’s iconic awards show coverage and compelling true crime from Oxygen. Bravo is a powerhouse channel in the US and a successful FTA network in New Zealand; we know Australians are soon going to love being able to access the biggest and best entertainment brands all in one place – live and free, on 7Bravo.”
7BRAVO: KEY NEW PROGRAMS – LAUNCHING IN H1, 2023:
Below Deck Down Under S1
Set against the backdrop of the tropical Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, the Peacock Original series Below Deck Down Under explores the complex, often explosive dynamics of the crew and a rotating group of charter guests on M/Y Thalassa. Captain Jason Chambers is joined by a familiar face, Aesha Scott as chief stew, along with newcomers chef Ryan McKeown and bosun Jamie Sayed. Stews Tumi Mhlongo and Magda Ziomek are also on board with deckhands Culver Bradbury, Brittini Burton, and Ben Crawley.
Ben Crawley
Below Deck Adventure S1
Viewers are taken beyond the deck and off the yacht in Below Deck Adventure, the latest iteration of the Emmy-nominated franchise as passengers paraglide, explore caves and take helicopter rides along the Norwegian fjords. The series features charter guests looking to push their limits along the picturesque landscapes that are rich in Viking history. Captain Kerry Titheradge, chef Jess Condy, chief stew Faye Clarke, stews Oriana Schneps and Kasie Faddah, bosun Lewis Lupton and deckhands Nathan Morley, Michael Gilman, and Kyle Dickard come together as some situations get heated when expectations aren’t met, and interpersonal conflicts come to a head while striving to give the charter guests an experience of a lifetime.
Nathan Morley
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip S1
For the first time in The Real Housewives history, franchise members from coast-to-coast will unite on a luxurious getaway filled with friendships, fun in the sun, and plenty of drama. The series will take viewers along with the ladies as they jet off to Turks and Caicos for a vacation packed with private jets, glamorous yachts, scenic excursions, a full-time concierge, a visit to the infamous Conch Shack, and a TikTok shared around the world. The Housewives include The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey and Kenya Moore; The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Kyle Richards; The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Guidice and Melissa Gorga and The Real Housewives of New York City’s Luann de Lesseps and Ramona Singer.
Pictured: (l-r) Kenya Moore, Teresa Giudice, Cynthia Bailey, Kyle Richards, Melissa Gorga
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club
For the first time since their departure from The Real Housewives, several ex-Housewives will collide for a vacation at one of the most iconic homes in franchise history: Dorinda Medley’s Bluestone Manor. The series will take viewers on a trip down memory lane as the ladies indulge in the countryside of the Berkshires with top-notch luxury, escapades, and non-stop drama. The new season will feature eight Housewives alumnae from coast-to-coast, including Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin of The Real Housewives of New York City; Phaedra Parks and Eva Marcille of The Real Housewives of Atlanta; Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge of The Real Housewives of Orange County; and Brandi Glanville and Taylor Armstrong of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The Real Housewives Of Dubai S1
As the 11th city in the franchise, The Real Housewives of Dubai follows a group of lavish women as they run business empires and navigate a highly exclusive social scene within this ultra-luxe billionaire’s playground. Whether they’re dining on a mountainside overlooking a valley of 1,000 camels or hosting the wedding event of the year, these women prove everything is more extravagant in the “City of Gold”. When new group dynamics threaten long-standing friendships, tensions inevitably reach a boiling point, so if you can’t handle the heat… get out of Dubai.
The Real Housewives Of Dubai
The Real Housewives Of Miami S4
The Real Housewives of Miami will take viewers on a ride of fun and friendship – with of course, no drama to spare. After a year of unprecedented times in a pandemic, the Miami social scene is burning up. The Season 4 cast includes returning Housewives Alexia Echevarria, Lisa Hochstein, and Larsa Pippen, alongside newcomers Guerdy Abraira, Dr. Nicole Martin, and Julia Lemigova, the first LGBTQIA+ housewife. Fan favorites Adriana de Moura and Marysol Patton, alongside newcomer Kiki Barth, will also be featured as friends.
Pictured: (l-r) Guerdy Abraira, Adriana de Moura, Alexia Echevarria, Kiki Barth
Real Girlfriends In Paris S1
The series follows six young women – Anya Firestone, Emily Gorelik, Margaux Lignel, Kacey Margo, Adja Toure, and Victoria Zito – who are all American expats off on an adventure in Paris. As the women live their best lives and chase their ultimate dreams in the “City of Lights”, they find themselves navigating careers, romantic rendezvous, unavoidable conflicts and discovering who they are meant to be and exactly what they want.
Real Girlfriends In Paris
Love Without Borders S1
In this social experiment, five American singles who have struck out at love on their home turf risk everything to find it abroad. They’re anxious to get out of the rut they’re in, and willing to leave families, friends and careers behind for a chance at true romance. The five singles put their lives in the hands of a relationship expert and pack for an overseas destination that won’t be revealed until they’re at the airport to be paired with their “perfect” match, sight unseen.
LAUNCHING LATER IN 2023
The Real Housewives Of Miami S5
The Real Housewives of Miami is back for another season with new alliances, loyalty, and relationships on the line. The ladies of the “Sunshine State” are still turning up the heat and dialing up the drama. The Season 5 cast includes returning Housewives Guerdy Abraira, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, Dr. Nicole Martin, Alexia Nepola, and Larsa Pippen. Friends of the Housewives Kiki Barth, Adriana de Moura, and Marysol Patton will also be featured.
Southern Hospitality S1
Southern Hospitality follows Southern Charm resident boss lady Leva Bonaparte as she manages her larger-than-life staff at Republic Garden & Lounge, the hottest nightclub and backdrop for Charleston’s lively party scene. Leva’s team – a group of best friends driven by their work hard/play hard mentality – compete for prime positions and the best tips the city’s nightlife has to offer. Leva sets the bar high, but she treats them like family, guiding this crew of young, passionate singles through love, conflict, makeups, breakups, and everything in between. While the staff balances their personal lives with work responsibilities, the stakes have never been higher for Leva who preps for Charleston’s biggest summer in recent memory.
Seven Upfront: 7CODE+ to be supercharged
The first phase of the Seven Network’s new digital and broadcast converged trading platform, CODE 7+, will take flight in 2023, providing Australian advertisers and agencies with faster, more effective and easier buying across the screens of Seven.
Announced last year as the network’s largest-ever technology transformation project, CODE 7+ is a new, advanced converged media planning and campaign tracking solution, which transforms and enhances Seven’s successful audience automation solution, CODE 7, making it the future of total video audience buying in Australia.
The second phase of the rollout of CODE 7+ will start next year, and in 2024, the full total video audience delivery system will launch.
In a global first, Seven will bring together the technologies of both Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, and Imagine Communications, a leader in video infrastructure, advertising systems and workflow management solutions.
CODE 7+ will also be underpinned by the new industry total audience measurement VOZ, along with data from Seven’s market-leading audience intelligence platform 7REDiQ, to unlock better results and dynamic campaign deliveries that will maximise outcomes.
With CODE 7+, advertisers and agencies can leverage Seven’s reach of 18.5 million viewers a month. Whether its broadcast or digital, metro or regional audiences, brands can weave their message throughout Seven’s amazing stories and cultural moments that millions of Australians talk about each week.
Seven West Media chief revenue officer, Kurt Burnette, said: “We’re excited to introduce CODE 7+ to the digital media community next year, offering more automation, reduced turnaround times and improved processes to get campaigns live fast and making them even more effective.
“We have listened to our client and agency customers to carefully understand what they need most – not just now but into the future – to effectively invest with us to reach and engage with their target audiences. We have worked with them to co-create what we believe will be the best total video trading platform in the world.
“The next stage of CODE 7+ will provide our clients and agency partners with more certainty on delivery through the very latest improved optimisation engine, with increased addressability and targeting capabilities on their way,” he said.
Kurt Burnette
“The integration of VOZ total audience data will also be a huge boost to CODE 7+ and for marketers by helping them identify opportunities, maximise reach and exploit digital viewing behaviours in a modern video ecosystem across Seven’s powerhouse content.
“By combining advanced technology from global-leading vendors with Seven’s market- leading audience intelligence platform 7REDiQ, CODE 7+ is the future of total video audience trading, designed to make it even easier for brands to reach Australia’s biggest audience on Seven, all at the push of a button,” Burnette said.
Seven Upfront: Seven invests in next-gen gaming tech
Seven West Media has announced a strategic investment with Australian media gaming and technology business, Aura, to deliver engagement across its BVOD service, 7plus.
The investment will also see Aura’s next-generation technology integrated into 7plus, creating an immersive experience.
Aura, which was named Best Emerging Tech Company at the 2021 SportsPro OTT Awards in London, uses video game technology that can stream content. Its immersive platform supercharges the screen experience for viewers and advertisers with an interface that is completely interactive.
Operating like a video game, Aura’s advanced technology aggregates content, data, social and transactional capability into one environment, allowing the viewer to take full control of the experience.
Seven West Media chief digital officer, Gereurd Roberts, said: “Aura is globally recognised and its unique technology will redefine the content experience for Australian audiences through 7plus, taking our premium, personalised user interface to the next level.
“With Aura, 7plus can converge interactive virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, and integrate social feeds and e-commerce easily into both live and on- demand content, bringing a new and exciting dimension to our leading sport and tentpole programming.
“Aura have worked with some of the top tier sporting codes around the world. For Seven’s unbeatable sporting schedule – which will include full digital rights to the AFL from 2025 – this technology gives us the potential to deliver viewers the opportunity to access stats during events through live data visualisation, purchase merchandise while watching, change camera angles in real-time, chat with other fans and so much more, all without leaving the action,” Roberts said.
Gereurd Roberts
Functionally on 7plus, Aura will allow viewers to switch between different interactive options easily – including alternate camera angles, e-commerce, free-to-play games, live statistics and more – without losing the live primary feed, creating a “sticky” environment that keeps audiences engaged for longer.
Seven West Media chief revenue officer, Kurt Burnette, said: “Our investment in Aura is set to redefine the way streaming is delivered and consumed in Australia. It will create new advanced, flexible advertising solutions that will help brands get ahead of the competition and engage viewers in hyper-contextualised, personalised and innovative new ways on 7plus.
“Aura is a disruptive digital player that will help marketers grab and hold the attention of younger audiences who have moved away from passive viewing and have grown up dual screening and in full control over what they watch, whenever they want. Its Twitch-style features will allow interactive elements that brands can use for different advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
“Our partnership with Aura is the latest example of Seven’s digital-focused strategy to invest in the future of media, push the boundaries of content delivery and find new ways to engage audiences at scale,” Burnette said.
Aura chief executive officer, Antony Arena, said: “We are extremely excited to be working with the Seven Network to create the future of interactive entertainment and bringing our home-grown technology to Australian audiences and advertisers. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this market.”
Commercial opportunities using Aura and 7plus are expected to roll-out in 2023.
Seven secures rights to Women’s Football World Cup
The Seven Network has acquired the Australian free-to-air rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM (FWWC23), which will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August next year.
Seven will deliver the games of the Matildas in every match of their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign as they battle the best in the world.
The free-to-air exclusive deal covers broadcast and digital rights, ensuring comprehensive live and free coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup across Seven’s free-to-air channels and the network’s digital streaming platform, 7plus.
Seven’s head of network sport, Lewis Martin said: “Seven has a long and proud history of supporting Australian athletes on the world stage and delivering an exceptional broadcast experience for fans, and we cannot wait to embark on another world-class international event, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Lewis Martin
“We saw during Seven’s award-winning Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games coverage that the Matildas are one of the most-loved sporting teams in the country, and we are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our rich story-telling capabilities to this incredible team of athletes.
“The Seven team is world-class when it comes to building the narrative and emotion around big cultural moments. Across the years, we have demonstrated the power of this across major sporting events like the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup, Rugby League World Cup and many more,” he said.
“We are looking forward to working with Optus Sport, FIFA and Australia’s wonderful athletes to present a fantastic competition in 2023.”
From Thursday, 20 July until Sunday, 20 August, 15 key matches – including the opening match, Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and the Final – will be broadcast live and free on Seven and 7plus, with Seven’s matches also available to stream on-demand via 7plus.
A daily highlights program will also be broadcast on the screens of Seven throughout the competition period, following an extensive lead up program.
The rights have been sub-licensed by Optus, with Seven and Optus Sport developing a range of innovative plans to ensure Australians have the best possible coverage of the entire 64 game tournament.
FIFA Women’s World Cup COO (Australia), Jane Fernandez, said: “FIFA are excited to welcome Seven as the Australian free-to-air broadcaster of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM. This tournament will truly be a defining moment in Australian sporting history, and the partnership with Seven ensures all fans in Australia will have the chance to see the biggest women’s sporting event in the world.
“Seven’s world-class coverage will bring women’s football in front of new and wide-ranging audiences and will play an integral role in making the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM accessible to every Australian.
“We are seeing unprecedented growth in women’s football globally and look forward to working with Seven as we go Beyond Greatness to deliver the biggest and best FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM will be the biggest in history, with 32 nations competing across 64 matches for the highly-coveted title.
The world’s largest women’s single-sport event will take place in nine host cities and 10 stadia across Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time it has been played in two nations. The opening ceremony and first match will take place at Eden Park in Auckland on 20 July, while the 20 August final will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM Starts Thursday, 20 July 2023 on Channel Seven and 7plus
New and Returning shows
NEW IN 2023
Australian Idol
After a long absence and some Covid-related delays, Australian Idol is back, coming to Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023. The new Australian Idol will travel the country searching for budding stars, with live episodes and results shows as the competition heats up.
Helping unearth the next idol will be American Idol judge and multiple Grammy award-winner Harry Connick Jr; Grammy award- winning singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor; broadcaster and Mediaweek Star Power 25 winner Kyle Sandilands; and eight-time ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Shark – plus original Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines in a special guest role. The new series will be hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie, and produced by Eureka Productions for the Seven Network.
Blow Up
Fresh for Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023, Blow Up is a one-of-a-kind competition. Hosted by actor Stephen Curry and comedian Becky Lucas, alongside resident balloon expert Chris Adamo and a host of celebrity guest judges, Blow Up will see the nation’s greatest balloon artists, decorators, and twisters go head-to-head across a variety of challenges to turn ordinary balloons into extraordinary works of art.
This series will take viewers into a new world bursting with joy, fun, and supersized balloon sculptures that must be seen to be believed. From fire breathing dragons, prehistoric dinosaurs, couture fashion, circus acts and even full-size race cars, their creations will completely change the perception of the humble balloon. Blow Up is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company) for the Seven Network.
Million Dollar Island
Hosted by Ant Middleton, the Australian version of Million Dollar Island is coming to Channel Seven and 7plus next year. Million Dollar Island is a social experiment in which 100 ordinary people try to stay on a remote island, vying for a chance to win $1 million. It was co-developed by John de Mol, the man behind Big Brother and The Voice.
Braving harsh conditions with limited means is not the only challenge on an island full of mystery, surprise, hardships and rewards. Each contestant starts the adventure with a wristband worth $10,000. While they are on the island, contestants can gain and lose wristbands by competing in various games. In the end, a final game determines who walks away with the prize. Million Dollar Island is a format created by Talpa Concepts together with Monday Media and distributed by Talpa Distribution. The series is produced by Eureka Productions for the Seven Network.
The Claremont Murders
The disappearance of three young women in Perth in the late 1990s launched a 25-year investigation by the police and one journalist, all determined to seek justice. From the creatives behind Seven’s drama Catching Milat, this mini-series stars Ryan Johnson (How To Please A Woman, Doctor Doctor), Catherine Văn- Davies (The Twelve, Barons), Aaron Glenane (Shantaram, Snowpiercer), Laura Gordon (Undertow, Late Night With The Devil), Andrea Demetriades (Pulse, Janet King), Craig Hall (Boy, King Kong), Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Underbelly Razor, Puberty Blues), Tasma Walton (Mystery Road, How To Please A Woman), Joel Jackson (Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries), Tom O’Sullivan (Molly, Alien: Covenant), Dalip Sondhi (Pulse, Frayed), Erik Thomson (How To Please A Woman, Aftertaste), and actor, radio host and author Kate Ritchie (Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities, Home and Away).
The Claremont Murders is produced by Screentime (a Banijay company) for the Seven Network, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Seven and See Pictures, with finance from Screenwest and Screen NSW.
The 1% Club
The 1% Club game show is already a hit in the UK and a new Australian version will arrive on Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023. People of all ages and backgrounds can be part of The 1% Club because, unlike most quizzes, they don’t need to brush up on general knowledge to do well. All they need is logic and common sense.
One hundred contestants begin every show, but to make it to the end and win the top prize, contestants must correctly answer a question only 1% of the country would get right. The show starts by asking a question that 90% of the country got right (based on a sample of answers given by people across Australia) and then goes on to ask questions that smaller and smaller percentages answered correctly. Hosted by Australian comedian, actor and writer, Jim Jefferies, star of the FX sitcom Legit and Comedy Central’s The Jim Jefferies Show, The 1% Club is produced by BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand for the Seven Network.
We Interrupt This Broadcast
We Interrupt This Broadcast is a comedy series that makes fun of Australia’s favourite (and least favourite) shows. As the world grows ever more serious, We Interrupt This Broadcast promises to reboot and revitalise a long-standing Australian tradition: taking the piss out of everything. With our televisions, computers and phones creating the white noise we now call content, there’s no shortage of stuff for this series to lampoon.
Showcasing some of Australia’s most versatile comedy talents, including Christie Whelan Browne, Bridie Connell, Michelle Brasier, Adele Vuko, Duncan Fellows, Greg Larsen, Ben Russell, and Bjorn Stewart, We Interrupt This Broadcast is produced by HELIUM for the Seven Network.
Con Girl
In 2011, Russian gymnast Emily Sciberras tells her new best friend that her entire family has been killed in a murder-suicide, including her 15-year-old twin sister. In 2013, a distressed teenage girl with no name is found on the streets of Dublin after escaping a human trafficking ring. She is so traumatised she is unable to speak. In 2014, Aurora Hepburn, 14, appears at a clinic in Canada after escaping a terrifying kidnapper.
What do these women and their chilling stories have in common? They are all fake identities, convincingly created by one Australian woman – Samantha Azzopardi – a serial con-artist who has amassed more than 75 aliases and repeatedly deceived her victims and authorities around the globe. In this limited documentary series, crossing three continents and built around the world exclusive eyewitness accounts of her victims, viewers are taken on a quest to find out who the real Samantha Azzopardi is. Con Girl is produced by CJZ Productions for the Seven Network.
Animals Aboard With Dr Harry
Hosted by Dr Harry Cooper, this feel-good factual entertainment series explores stories of animals in transit around the globe. Just like humans, they travel for work, play, medical reasons, or family reunions, and each has a tale to tell.
Access to one of the world’s largest animal travel agencies allows viewers to follow the excitement, from quarantine centres to the belly of cargo planes, in a unique and entertaining way, ensuring that viewers are right there with the travellers on their journey. Animals Aboard With Dr Harry is produced by Beyond Entertainment for the Seven Network.
NEW FROM OVERSEAS
New from NBCUniversal’s Universal Television is Quantum Leap, the sequel of the legendary series starring Raymond Lee, Ernie Hudson, Caitlin Bassett, Mason Alexander Park, and Nanrisa Lee; and Lopez vs. Lopez, a working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection and all the pain and joy in between, starring George Lopez and Mayan Lopez.
From ITV comes Litvinenko, the story of the determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked to prove who was responsible for the death of Alexander Litvinenko, in one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police; and the natural history series A Year On Planet Earth, from the multi award-winning blue-chip natural history team of Tom Hugh-Jones (Tiny World, Planet Earth II) and Dr Martha Holmes (Blue Planet, Hostile Planet), narrated by Stephen Fry.
Three new series from Sony will be on Seven next year: Accused, which chronicles ordinary people getting caught up in extraordinary situations, where one wrong turn leads to another until it is too late to turn back; Alert, a drama set in the Los Angeles Police Department’s missing person’s unit; and Without Sin, the story of a grieving mother who confronts the man imprisoned for murdering her only daughter.
From Endemol Shine UK (a Banijay company) comes Starstruck, a reimagined and refreshed version of the classic British series Stars In Their Eyes, hosted by pop star Olly Murs.
RETURNING IN 2023
The Voice
The Voice returns to Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023 with host Sonia Kruger and the superstar judges. The 2022 series delivered a national total TV audience of 1.4 million, won its timeslot, pulled at least one million viewers per episode, and was Seven’s biggest show on broadcast and 7plus. The Voice is produced by ITV Studios Australia for the Seven Network.
Farmer Wants A Wife
Back in 2023, Natalie Gruzlewski and Samantha Armytage will be helping a new batch of farmers looking for love in all the right places – and the babies of Farmers past make a special appearance. With a national total TV audience this year of 1.05 million, the nation’s favourite bush fairy tale is an enduring success. Farmer Wants A Wife is a Fremantle Australia and Eureka Productions co-production for the Seven Network.
Home and Away
Next year promises to be another big year in Summer Bay, with the lives and loves of Australian TV’s most iconic beachside community thrown into turmoil in the wake of a tragedy. The season return will see new arrivals and surprise faces from the past set to shake things up. About one million Australians watch every episode of this series on broadcast and digital, a testament to its long-lasting appeal. Home and Away returns to Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023. Home and Away is a Seven Production.
RFDS
With a national total TV audience of 1.09 million, RFDS will take flight for a second season next year, starring Emma Hamilton, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Justine Clarke, Ash Ricardo, Jack Scott, Sofia Nolan, Rodney Afif, Ash Hodgkinson, and Thomas Weatherall. Based on real-life stories and filmed on location in and around Broken Hill, RFDS tells the stories of doctors, nurses, pilots and support staff in the Royal Flying Doctor Service as they navigate emergency retrievals across some of the most inhospitable places in the country. RFDS is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company) for the Seven Network, with Banijay Rights managing international distribution.
My Kitchen Rules
A return to the original recipe of everyday Australians cooking in their homes was a success this year, with My Kitchen Rules scoring a national total TV audience of 922,000. My Kitchen Rules will return in 2023, with more food, home cooks, and fun. The judges for the new series will be announced soon. My Kitchen Rules is produced by ITV Studios Australia for the Seven Network.
SAS Australia
SAS Australia will be back and more extreme than ever on Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023, with Chief Instructor Ant Middleton and his team of DS ready and keen to put a new batch of star recruits through the most gruelling SAS selection course ever seen, this time in a hard-core international desert location. The celebrity line-up for 2023 will be tested physically, emotionally and mentally like never before. SAS Australia is produced by Screentime (a Banijay company), based on a Minnow Films Format, for the Seven Network.
Big Brother: House of Love
Everyone loves love and Big Brother is no exception. Next year he is putting a new spin on his reality television show with Big Brother: House of Love. The new series on Channel Seven and 7plus will feature a house full of singles with Big Brother playing cupid. Going back to basics, Big Brother: House of Love promises more character, more laughs and more fun. What will happen when a houseful of singles form romantic connections but then need to vote each other out? Hosted by Sonia Kruger, Big Brother: House of Love is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company) for the Seven Network.
Kitchen Nightmares Australia
Outspoken, award-winning chef Colin Fassnidge will be back in 2023, lifting the lid on local restaurants flirting with failure in Kitchen Nightmares Australia on Channel Seven and 7plus. Visiting a different struggling restaurant each week, Colin will uncover why they are on the brink of collapse, providing emergency restaurant rescue with a combination of practical insight and a few expletives for good measure. Kitchen Nightmares Australia is produced by Eureka Productions for the Seven Network, based on a format distributed by All3Media International.
The Chase Australia
A major player in its timeslot in 2022, The Chase Australia returns in 2023. Quiz giants Goliath, The Governess, The Beast, The Shark, The Super Nerd, The Tiger Mum, and The Smiling Assassin are standing by to take down a new crew of contestants – and they will be joined by a new chaser, The Professor. The Chase Australia is hosted by Larry Emdur and produced by ITV Studios Australia for the Seven Network, based on the original ITV quiz show.
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens will again be at home on Friday nights on Channel Seven and 7plus, ready to kickstart the nation’s weekend. Johanna Griggs, Dr Harry Cooper, Adam Dovile, “Fast” Ed Halmagyi, Karen Martini, Graham Ross, Pete Colquhoun, Charlie Albone, Juliet Love, Melissa King, and James Tobin will bring viewers the best in cooking, gardening, home improvements, technology, health, fitness, motoring and more. Better Homes and Gardens is a Seven Production.
This Is Your Life
The revival of one of Australia’s longest running television series will continue in 2023, with host Melissa Doyle surprising a new collection of famous Australians, including Rebecca Gibney and Tina Arena. The new-look This Is Your Life celebrates one iconic Australian at a time, offering revealing insights, reunions, and never-before-
seen footage with their colleagues, friends, and family. This Is Your Life is produced by ITV Studios for the Seven Network. The format for This Is Your Life is owned by TIYL 2010, LLC whose authorised representative is Ralph Edwards Productions and is distributed by All3Media International.
Border Security: Australia’s Front Line
The people who work to keep Australia safe will again be in the spotlight when the new season of Border Security: Australia’s Front Line arrives in 2023. Since 2004, the series has taken viewers behind the scenes of Australia’s customs, immigration, and quarantine departments. Border Security: Australia’s Front Line is produced by EQ Media for the Seven Network.
Highway Patrol
For more than 13 years, Highway Patrol has followed members of the Victoria Police Highway Patrol (formerly the Traffic Management Unit) as they keep the roads and the people on them safe. Highway Patrol is produced by Greenstone TV for the Seven Network with the cooperation of Victoria Police.
Code 1: Minute by Minute
Returning for a second season on Channel Seven and 7plus, Code 1: Minute by Minute dissects some of the biggest and most tragic news events to ever impact Australians. The responders who were first on the scene talk through the weeks, days, hours, moments, and seconds leading to the event. Code 1: Minute by Minute is produced by WTFN for the Seven Network.
SPECIAL EVENTS
For the first time since 1995, the TV WEEK Logie Awards will be on Channel Seven.
Seven has struck a multi-year agreement with Are Media to become the Official Broadcast Partner of Australian television’s night of nights. The first new-look Logies will be on Channel Seven and 7plus next year, with the location to be announced soon.
Carols In The Domain will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year and will be seen on Channel Seven and 7plus. Seven recently signed a new, three-year broadcast and digital agreement with the event’s producer, ActiveTV.
Next year will also bring Melbourne’s Good Friday Appeal, which this year raised $22 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital; the 95th Annual Academy Awards; and the Channel seven Telethon in Western Australia. This year’s Telethon took place last weekend and raised $71.4 million for 97 organisations and children’s charities.
See Also: Seven’s Telethon 2022 raises a record breaking $71.4 million
NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
Every weeknight 7News has a national audience of 1.44 million, with 1.42 million on Sunday evenings and 1.14 million on Saturday evenings.
Each weekday, Sunrise reaches 980,000 Australians, with an average national audience of 388,000. Its BVOD audience on 7plus has grown 20% year-on-year.
Sunrise will be back in 2023, with co-hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr, sports presenter Mark Beretta, newsreader Edwina Bartholomew, weatherman Sam Mac, and Weekend Sunrise co-hosts Monique Wright and Matt Doran presenting all the latest news, sport and weather.
The Morning Show returns to Seven in 2023 with co-hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur. The Morning Show reaches an average of 1.37 million viewers nationally every week and an average national audience of 220,000 every weekday.
Delivering investigative specials and high-rating reports on major breaking news events, 7News Spotlight has had another big year and broken its audience record. The Platinum Party At The Palace drew 1.32 million total viewers nationally – the biggest audience ever for a 7News Spotlight episode – while an all-access introduction to the nation’s leader, Anthony Albanese, was watched by 1.04 million viewers.
The 7News Spotlight reports will return in 2023.
Anchored by Michael Usher and Angela Cox, The Latest from 7News covers the latest breaking news in Australia and abroad, The nightly live news program reaches 1.07 million viewers every week.
SPORT
The network’s wall of sport has kicked off with Seven’s WBBL coverage, before embarking on the 2022-23 Summer of Cricket, and continues throughout next year, with sporting moments including the AFL Grand Final, FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, the Repco Bathurst 1000, NFL Super Bowl, The Everest, the Golden Slipper, the Golden Eagle, the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The 2022 AFL season culminated on 24 September, when the Geelong Cats triumphed in the AFL Grand Final. Seven was also a winner, with the Grand Final attracting a national total TV audience of 2.97 million, making it the most-watched TV program so far in the 2022 ratings survey year.
The AFL and the AFLW will be back on Seven in 2023, and for the following eight years, along with the Brownlow Medal (exclusive to Seven).
The Front Bar will also be back, with Sam Pang, Mick Molloy, and Andy Maher delivering another season of insights and fun. The Front Bar crew will also present a series of All Sports episodes ahead of the start of the AFL season.
In July and August Seven and 7plus will present the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023T.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in nine host cities and 10 stadia across Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time it has been played in two nations. The opening ceremony and first match will take place at Eden Park in Auckland on 20 July, while the 20 August final will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Seven’s BBL and WBBL coverage will host a line up of current day players, alongside Seven’s commentary team, providing analysis of the game’s key moments and highlights. With more international players than we have ever seen, this year’s BBL and WBBL seasons will be bigger and better.
Following the Gold Coast 500 this weekend and the triumphant return of the Adelaide 500 in December, the Supercars Championship will storm back onto Seven in 2023. Starting with the Newcastle 500 and including the Repco Bathurst 1000 in October, next year will also mark the beginning of a new era in motorsport, with the introduction of Supercars Gen 3, headlined by Mustang and Camaro.
Seven is again the home of thoroughbred racing in 2023, live and free every Saturday across the year on Seven and 7plus. Seven is also set to broadcast The Big Dance, live, free and exclusive from Royal Randwick on Tuesday, 1 November 2022.
In 2023, Seven’s long-term partnership with Racing Victoria, Racing NSW, Racing Queensland and Racing SA will bring viewers 52 weeks of racing, including Magic Millions, The Everest, the Golden Slipper, the Golden Eagle, the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, the Queensland Oaks, the Queensland Derby, the South Australian Derby and the South Australian Oaks and Goodwood Handicap.
Seven will also feature the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the rest of the 2022-23 NFL season – including the Super Bowl LVII on 12 February 2023 – NFL Armchair Experts, AFL Armchair Experts and The Sunday Session.
MULTICHANNELS
The new Australian content on 7mate in 2023 includes:
Local Council
The latest comedy from Pauly Fenech of Housos, Fat Pizza, and Bogan Hunters fame is set in Australia’s most corrupt, lazy and inept council. Starring Pauly Fenech, George Kapinaris, Melissa Tkautz, Vince Sorrenti, and John Bernard Kairouz (Antichocko Productions).
Gem Hunters Down Under:
Take a wild ride into the world of the sapphire hunters of Central Queensland, home to one of the richest sapphire deposits on earth. The pursuit of this gem pushes a hardy band of miners to their limits (WildBear Entertainment).
Outback Farm
From outback truckers to outback farmers, the water-drilling family, Danyelle and Anthony Haigh and their children Theo and Heath, are about to embark on their greatest outback adventure yet (Prospero Productions).
Close Encounters Down Under
Forget Roswell and forget Area 51; the most visited place on earth by UFOs is Australia, with 1,200 sightings a year and counting. The stories of eyewitness encounters, with expert commentary, must be seen to be believed (EQ Media).
Watch Dogs
This “fly on the wall”, partially unscripted comedy looks at incompetent, dysfunctional, night-time security guards as they cause more harm than good, dealing with sex workers, turf wars with private school boys, and everything in between (Oldboy Productions).
Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under
Five Australian and New Zealand heavy-duty trucking companies take on the most extreme towing contracts in the Southern Hemisphere, led by teams of charismatic truckers (Fredbird Entertainment).
Aussie Truck Rehab
Big-rig restorer Jon Kelly and his team of restoration experts are on an all-or-nothing mission to build the world’s greatest truck rehab firm, determined to find, fix and flip their way to trucking glory (Ronde Media).
Adventure Gold Digger
Follow the adventures of five prospecting teams as they search for gold in some of the most remote and inhospitable areas of Australia (Fredbird Entertainment).
The 7mate line-up also includes: Pawn Stars, Motor Mythbusters, American Pickers, Storage Wars, Extreme Ice Railroad and Ultimate Rides, plus blockbuster Hollywood movies.
New on 7two next year is Gold Coast Ocean Rescue, set in the Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation, where an expert team of vets and marine scientists rescues animals, rehabilitates them and releases them back into the wild.
The 7two content slate also includes Murdoch Mysteries, Miss Scarlet and The Duke, Doc Martin, A Touch Of Frost, Call The Midwife, Rosemary & Thyme, Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Air Crash Investigations, Greatest Escapes To The Country, and The Yorkshire Vet.
In 2023, 7flix will bring animation with The Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy and more, plus Gordon Ramsay’s shows and family, kids and action movies across the week.