Seven confirms future for AFL panel show TALKING FOOTY

After an extended period of speculation, the Seven Network has now committed to the return of its weekly AFL panel discussion program Talking Footy.

The return of Talking Footy was confirmed today by regular panellist Tim Watson on his SEN Breakfast program. Watson went on to indicate the cast of the show would remain unchanged from last year with Luke Darcy, Wayne Carey, Michael Warner and Jacqui Felgate all returning.

Speculation about the future of the show arose after Seven declined to make a commitment earlier this week. While it’s not unusual for the network to review Talking Footy each year, it is unusual for the decision to have been left until so close to round one.

Its understood recent broadcasts of the Bushfire Relief Cricket match and AFL State of Origin fundraiser had taken production focus away from any planning for Talking Footy.

TV Blackbox can also reveal Seven did conduct preliminary, non-formal discussions regarding a proposal to revive the Marngrook Footy Show this year on 7mate, but ultimately decided against the move due to cost factors.

2020 will see increased competition in AFL media space with rival Nine planning on expanding its rival show Footy Classified.

The Nine show will now air on Monday’s and Wednesday’s and feature a hosting lineup that includes Craig Hutchison, Eddie McGuire, Caroline Wilson, Matthew Lloyd, Ross Lyon and Kane Cornes.