Channel 7 cuts AFL shows Game Day and Talking Footy before season restart
Two popular AFL shows won’t be returning to Channel 7 screens in the foreseeable future when the footy season resumes as the financial impact of COVID-19 hits the network.
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Channel 7 has “suspended” its two main AFL shows days out from the season resumption with both Game Day and Talking Footy falling victim to cost-cutting.
Game Day, hosted by Hamish McLachlan, has been a Sunday staple for 11 years, shown nationally and boasting big name regulars including AFL legend Leigh Matthews.
Talking Footy has gone through several incarnations since it was first broadcast in 1994, and most recently has been hosted by former Western Bulldog Luke Darcy since 2013.
In announcing its full roster of AFL games coverage of Rounds 2-5 when the season resumes on June 11, Channel 7 also confirmed the two main news and analysis shows were being put on ice.
There was no indication given as to when, or if, they might return.
In a statement the network confirmed the “the prevailing market conditions” had forced their hand.
“The prevailing market conditions that have severely impacted most sporting bodies throughout Australia have meant Seven has made the decision to temporarily suspend Talking Footy and Game Day,” the statement read.
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Channel 7’s head of sport, Lewis Martin, said he hoped it would be a “temporary hiatus”.
“As a consequence of COVID-19 we have seen tough and difficult decisions being made right across sport and we at Seven are no different,” Martin said.
“Talking Footy and Game Day have set the agenda in AFL circles for so many years and we hope with favourable conditions returning this will be a temporary hiatus for both.”
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Martin also confirmed crowd audio effects would be incorporated into the broadcast of matches, mirroring what the NRL did when its season resumed last weekend.
Seven will also trial world-first virtual technology and attempt to integrate fans at home into the broadcast.