New Free-To-Air Broadcast Deal Expected For Australian NFL Fans

The Seven Network is close to finalising a new broadcast deal that will see it continue as the free-to-air home of NFL in Australia.

TV Blackbox understands last-minute negotiations are continuing between Seven and the NFL, with a new two-match per week deal expected to be announced soon.

A network spokesperson declined to comment on the potential of a new contract when contacted by TV Blackbox.

If the deal is finalised, Seven’s NFL coverage will commence on Monday, Sept 9 with coverage of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs the Kansas City Chiefs at 3am AEST. Followed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs the San Francisco 49ers at 6am AEST. Both matches will be broadcast on 7mate.

Seven has been broadcasting NFL on 7mate since 2014, helping the sport to build a strong cult following in Australia. This year’s Superbowl attracted a Monday afternoon metro audience of 234,000. A good result considering the event was broadcast on 7mate at the same time as Test Match cricket was airing on Seven’s main channel.

Last week, ESPN confirmed a new subscription broadcast deal which will see it provide live coverage of five matches per week via the Foxtel, Kayo and Fetch platforms.

The new deal will see the pay-tv channel broadcast more live matches than ever before. ESPN will air 110 live games including two games on Sunday afternoon, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football. However, some fans have been left disappointed after ESPN failed to secure RedZone coverage for the new season.