Free-to-air network Channel 7 has continued redeveloping its AFL coverage by hiring media mogul Eddie McGuire and his production company JAM TV.
After recently being spotted with Seven's news boss Anthony De Ceglie, a surprise move by McGuire entered the rumour mill. Now, it is confirmed McGuire's JAM TV will produce Seven's new Sunday football talk shows, Sunday Footy Feast andย The Wash Up.
McGuire has worked at rival company Channel 9 for over three decades, originally joining the company as a TV host in 1993. The 60-year-old has remained loyal to the free-to-air network since, even becoming the company's CEO briefly, although he has dabbled in commentary at other media stations such as Foxtel's Fox Footy channel and on radio.
The AFL industry titan's move comes as a shock after firing shots at Seven in September for poaching an array of Nine's football reporters and experts, labelling the rival network as a "copycat".
Footy Classified panellists Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson, and Craig Hutchison have all defected from Nine to the free-to-air competitor for 2025, as Seven aims to rejig their AFL coverage ahead of the league's new broadcast rights deal.
The decisions made by McGuire's colleagues led to the former Collingwood President slamming Seven and Footy Classified's former panellists on a Today live cross.
"End of the season, you get rid of the list-cloggers, and you move the new superstars in," McGuire said.
"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."
Speaking with theย Herald Sun, McGuire has since downplayed his involvement at Seven.
"We produce shows for every network, including Seven," McGuire said.
"So, nothing new in any of this."
Likewise to McGuire, recent Seven recruit Hutchison will also have his production company, Rainmaker, produce midweek shows. Agenda Setters, which Hutchison will host, as well as Hamish McLachlan's anticipated showย Unfiltered, will be produced by Hutichsion's company.
Despite his production company's involvement with Seven, McGuire will remain a host on Footy Classified's second weekly episode, which is set to move to Tuesday nights in 2025 to compete with Seven. Opposingly, Hutchison will no longer offer his services to Nine's programming.
Other than Hutchison, Cornes, and Wilson's moves to Seven, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt is set to resume an on-air role for the free-to-air company. Riewoldt has been living in the US since 2022, but previously worked as a commentator on Fox Footy post his playing days.
With an abundance of new shows, the seven-year running program Armchair Experts will not return in 2025 to the Seven network. The Friday night show featured Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and commentator Cam Luke.
Across the landscape to pay-TV, Fox Footy announced that AFL legends Leigh Matthews and Shaun Burgoyne would make the switch from Seven, whilst Tom Hawkins is an immediate new addition following his footballing retirement this year.
Fox Footy's AFL 360 will now feature Garry Lyon as co-host, while Gerard Whateley will now also call the Friday night broadcasts with Anthony Hudson. Former Essendon coach James Hird will join Channel 9 as an expert.
The broadcast rights deal beginning in 2025 allows Fox Footy to broadcast their own commentary on all matches, as well as being the sole broadcaster of Saturday AFL action. For Seven, the new rights deal includes enhanced digital streaming via 7plus.
