‘Unwatchable’: Carnage as Channel 7 torn to shreds

Channel 7 has been ripped to shreds by footy fans after viewers were left tearing their hair out from a broadcast technicality.

Screenshot of Australian Border Force program on 7 Plus while Grand Final begins. Picture: Twitter

Australians attempting to tune into the AFL Grand Final coverage lost their minds over Channel 7’s stream of the match on 7 Plus.

Fans looking to watch the greatest event on the AFL calendar on Channel 7’s streaming service were welcomed to 7 Plus with coverage of Australian Border Force between 2pm and 5pm, as the Grand Final was being broadcast on Channel 7 on free-to-air television.

Enraged viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustrations with the streaming platform and Channel 7’s Plus app as their pre-game stream was ended under an hour before the first bounce.

Screenshot of Australian Border Force program on 7 Plus while Grand Final begins. Picture: Twitter

@AFL the broadcast on channel 7 Android doesn't work FYI!!!

— fullasagoogbylarap (@LaraPaturzo) September 24, 2022

@AFL the broadcast on channel 7 Android doesn't work FYI!!!

— fullasagoogbylarap (@LaraPaturzo) September 24, 2022

@AFL the broadcast on channel 7 Android doesn't work FYI!!!

— fullasagoogbylarap (@LaraPaturzo) September 24, 2022

As much as I love The Best of Border Force, I'd much rather see the AFL Grand Final. 7 Plus you have one job

— Adam Bagnall (@adsy2586) September 24, 2022

Channel 7 celebrates new AFL broadcast deal by serving up 3 and a half hours of Border Force. Instead of the AFL Grand Final pic.twitter.com/ITWPcVEXN5

— Adam Bagnall (@adsy2586) September 24, 2022

Channel 7 has confirmed it only holds rights to broadcast the Grand Final on Channel 7 and 7plus on connected televisions although some fans have claimed to have been able to watch the game for a short period on the 7 Plus app and website, suggesting the network had backflipped.

“Users in Australia will be able to stream the AFL Grand Final on their phone or other mobile devices through the AFL Live Official app,” said a Seven spokesperson.

On 7 plus app now big fella

— Nathan Crouch (@crouchn42) September 24, 2022

Those able to view the game on television were also left disappointed with the coverage, with some saying it was “appalling” “unwatchable” and “awful” particularly in standard definition, with others criticising the lack of footage of singer Katie Noonan who performed the Australian National Anthem.

WTF? Channel 7? Katie Noonan sang a beautiful National anthem and you didn’t even show her face on TV? #AFLGF#AFLGrandFinal#afl isn’t that just a tad rude?

— J.J.McHale (@JJMcHale1) September 24, 2022

The telecast is dreadful!! Keep giving wide shots where you cannot see the play!! Channel 7 are ruining the game. Why have they changed their normal camera shots?

— HereToHelp (@Vollyaholic) September 24, 2022

Hey @AFL, @7AFL how is it that there is no way to stream the grand final? Am I missing something? I don't care if I have to watch ads or pay for it, I just don't have a TV because I'm not 50 #AFLGrandFinal#Bloods

— rossarden🎗️ (@smallruraltown) September 23, 2022