The AFL Finals ratings on Seven confirm its dominance with every game taking the #1 spot. Find out how the Finals captivated the nation.
The Seven Network has reaffirmed its dominance in Australian television ratings with this year’s AFL Finals delivering strong national viewership. Across all eight finals, Seven secured the top spot in its timeslots across all key demographics—all people, 25 to 54-year-olds, and 16 to 39-year-olds.
Notably, seven of these eight games were the most-watched program of the day across all age groups. The exception came on 7 September when the afternoon clash between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants was narrowly outperformed by the evening showdown between Brisbane Lions and Carlton.
For the entire duration of the AFL Finals, Seven maintained its position as the #1 network nationally, outperforming all rivals daily during this period.
The Brisbane Lions‘ preliminary final against Geelong on 21 September emerged as a ratings highlight, reaching 3.22 million viewers nationally, with 1.32 million tuning in via broadcast. The Sydney Swans‘ clash with Port Adelaide on 20 September followed closely, reaching 3.02 million, with a broadcast audience of 1.18 million.
Seven’s ratings dominance throughout the AFL Finals was evident in its daily top-ranking performances. Among the highlights were:
- 5 September: Geelong vs Port Adelaide – #1 across all demographics. Reached 2.6 million, with a broadcast audience of 773,000.
- 6 September: Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs – #1 across all demographics. Reached 2.43 million, with a broadcast audience of 954,000.
- 7 September: Brisbane Lions vs Carlton – #1 across all demographics. Reached 2.38 million, with 855,000 watching live.
- 7 September: Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants – Reached 1.85 million, with 683,000 tuning in.
- 13 September: Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn – #1 across all demographics. Reached 2.62 million, with a broadcast audience of 1.07 million.
- 14 September: Brisbane Lions vs GWS Giants – #1 across all demographics. Reached 2.6 million, with 912,000 watching live.
- 20 September: Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide – #1 across all demographics. Reached 3.02 million, with 1.18 million watching live.
- 21 September: Brisbane Lions vs Geelong – #1 across all demographics. Reached 3.22 million, with a broadcast audience of 1.32 million.
Gary O’Keeffe, Seven Network’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, expressed excitement over the success of the season and the upcoming final, stating:
“The 2024 AFL Premiership Season and Finals Series has delivered one of the greatest spectacles we have seen in recent times, and next Saturday’s 2024 AFL Grand Final will be no different.”
O’Keeffe also emphasised the historical significance of the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions Grand Final face-off, noting that it would be the first time since 1899 that South Melbourne and Fitzroy, the clubs’ predecessors, had met in a grand final.
“The Swans and the Lions are impossible to split, but one thing is certain, Australians in every corner of the nation will be treated to the greatest match of the year on Saturday afternoon, and Seven has viewers covered for every moment from beginning to end,” he said.
He also highlighted the network’s comprehensive coverage, which will span more than 12 hours, led by a star-studded commentary team.
Bruce McAvaney, one of Australia’s most respected sports broadcasters, will return to host the event alongside Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, and a line-up of experts including Abbey Holmes, Matthew Richardson, Luke Hodge, Dale Thomas, Joel Selwood, and Hamish McLachlan.
As anticipation builds for the 2024 Charles Brownlow Medal ceremony and the upcoming AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions—both exclusive to Channel 7 and 7plus Sport—the AFL has once again demonstrated its enduring appeal as Australia’s premier television sport.
