Viewers urging Bruce McAvaney to continue after Tokyo Olympics

Bruce McAvaney’s sporting knowledge is unrivalled and we might be treated to it for a little while longer

Bruce McAvaney is turning back the clock with viewers wanting more of the sports doyen during Channel 7’s Olympics coverage.

McAvaney was in his element commentating on the opening ceremony and on Friday he started calling his beloved track and field.

After McAvaney retired from AFL commentary this year, it’s been widely thought that this, his 11th Olympic Games, may be his last.

Bruce McAvaney is leading Channel 7’s Olympic coverage. Picture: Supplied

But Seven boss Lewis Martin isn’t convinced.

“Bruce and I have our annual catch up and I don’t think it’ll be his last one,’’ Martin said.

McAvaney didn’t make the trip to Tokyo and has been based in Melbourne along with most of the hosts and other sport commentators.

The TV ratings have delivered Seven the highest audiences this year, with significant rises on figures from Rio 2016.

The opening ceremony last Friday night had a peak national audience of 3.81 million.

On the back of the Aussies’ success in the pool, the day two figures were up 113 per cent on Rio and the evening session, with 2.75 million had the highest national TV audience in 2021.

Streaming records have also been broken on 7Plus.

TV expert Colin Vickery said: “A few questions were asked, would it happen, would there be scepticism around it, there was some controversy, the delay with Covid, but it’s done phenomenally well so far.

“The first week tends to rate well because of the swimming and we do better at that than track and field, but now Seven have allowed viewers to watch on a range of different platforms. Channel 7 is definitely trying to boost 7Plus and you can say lockdown has helped but Australia has embraced these Games.

“They’re doing it under very difficult circumstances and its worked magic.”

Seven’s coverage since July 21 has reached in excess of 14 million viewers.