Eddie McGuire makes unthinkable move as media mogul’s secret revealed

If viewers ever thought Eddie McGuire’s days of being a media mogul were done, think again. The star presenter’s new move has shocked many.

If viewers ever thought Eddie McGuire’s days as a media mogul were slipping, they’re now getting a reality check.

The former Collingwood Football Club president was on Thursday night revealed to be the man behind two new shows for the network that has always been his biggest rival — Seven.

McGuire, as a TV talent, and the boss of production company JAM TV, has always had fingers in countless pies across the footy industry.

Now the man affectionately known as “Eddie Everywhere” is taking his talents to Channel 7.

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The move is one of the final dominoes falling into place for Seven as the network undergoes its biggest AFL transformation in recent memory.

As reported by the Herald Sun, McGuire’s JAM TV operation has struck a deal with Seven bosses to produce two new AFL talk shows.

According to the report, McGuire’s team will produce Sunday Footy Feast, which will air following Channel 9’s dominant Sunday Footy Show, which traditionally wraps up at 12pm (AEDT).

McGuire’s crew has also been tasked with cooking up a show to run immediately following Channel 7’s live match coverage on Sunday afternoons.

That project will reportedly be called The Wash Up.

McGuire’s alliance with Seven would previously have been unthinkable because of his past as the face of the Nine Network — and his brief time as CEO of the company.

Intriguingly, even as recent as September, McGuire was taking pot shots at Seven.

The 60-year-old recently took a light-hearted swipe at former Footy Classified colleagues Kane Cornes, Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson for jumping ship from Nine to Seven.

Eddie Everywhere hosts Channel 9’s Paris Olympics coverage.

McGuire was asked on Channel 9’s Today Show about his “other TV colleagues” and he didn’t miss the opportunity to let them have it.

“End of the season, you get rid of the list-cloggers and you move the new superstars in,” he said.

“And that’s what we’re doing. The Footy Classified with Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison. That started 18 years ago. We commissioned it when I was up in Sydney, actually.

“And it’s been fantastic. And it’s great that Channel Copycat is just taking something we’ve done for 18 years and putting it on air.

“So that’s okay. While they’re doing that, we’ll come up with something fresh, new and exciting for next year and do what we always do.”

McGuire was recently seen meeting with Seven’s news boss Anthony De Ceglie at Jam TV production offices in Toorak, Melbourne.

While JAM TV won the contracts for Seven’s two Sunday shows, Hutchison’s own Rainmaker media company will be producing several of the new AFL programs on Seven.

Rainmaker also produces Seven’s AFLW, hockey, athletics and surfing coverage.

Channel 7 has confirmed Hutchison’s crew will be producing Seven’s new Agenda Setters program that will screen on Monday night and Tuesday night.

Eddie McGuire and Sam Newman at the Grand Final Footy Show 2018. Picture: Channel 9

The Monday night time slot will put Hutchison in direct competition with Channel 9’s Footy Classified — the show he has hosted on Nine over a long period.

Seven announced in a recent statement big signings Cornes and Nick Riewoldt will join Hutchison on the Monday night panel.

Seven is also rolling the dice with another football program ‘Unfiltered’ that will be screened on Wednesday nights alongside the popular ‘Front Bar’ hosted by Mick Molloy.

Hamish McLachlan will host the new Wednesday night project.

Because of Hutchison’s return to Seven, he will reportedly be forced to cut all ties with Nine.

McGuire, meanwhile, will reportedly continue in his role as host of Footy Classified’s second weekly show.

Footy Classified will reportedly be moving from Wednesdays to Tuesdays in order to go head-to-head with Seven in 2025.

Hutchison and McGuire have always been reported to be friends despite their companies competing in the same space.

Matthew Lloyd is the last one standing at Channel 9.

JAM has produced The Sunday Footy Show, Footy Classified, Millionaire Hot Seat and many other shows for Nine.

Nine’s biggest move has been the hiring of Essendon great James Hird.

Seven has also said goodbye to some talent with Luke Darcy stepping away from his media roles with the network and Triple M. Tim Watson is also finishing up at the end of 2024.

Presenter Rebecca Maddern is also going to take up a newly-created role as chief sports presenter with Channel 7.

One of the first casualties of the shake up emerged this week when host Adam Cooney said his cult-followed ‘Armchair Experts’ will not be returning to Channel 7 in 2025.

One of the biggest moves announced recently was Fox Footy’s coup in signing up legendary AFL/VFL star turned four-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews.

Four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne and Geelong champion Tom Hawkins will also join Fox Footy’s commentary team in 2025.

During the 2025 AFL season, Fox Footy commentary and production will be available on all games for the first time along with no ad-breaks during play.

With Fox Footy able to commentate all nine games each round, it’s expected the likes of Gerard Whateley and Matt Hill will call games on the network.