Seven nabs broadcast rights to Swimming Australia

Seven has secured broadcast rights with Swimming Australia positioning it for the next nine years.

Channel Seven will be the official broadcast partner for the next five years with the option to extend for a further four years through until 2025.

TEN will conclude its current deal with Swimming Australia this year.

Coverage will include major international and national events, FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2017, 2016 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide in April, Olympic and Paralympic trials, plus Rio 2016 and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said, “We are making excellent progress across our sport and with the Australian Dolphins Swim Team. This deal is another very significant and exciting step forward for swimming in Australia. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Channel Seven as a long-term partner of Swimming Australia and we look forward to working with them to grow our sport both in and out of the pool.

“Swimming has a rich and proud history in Australia and is part of our country’s DNA. We are delighted that this long term deal will ensure that our sport will be shared and enjoyed by all Australians as Swimming Australia and Channel 7 aim to further expand our sport’s reach and popularity and build the profile of our great Australian swimmers and role models.” Anderson said.

Saul Shtein, Seven’s Head of Sport, said: “We are delighted to sign this new partnership. Seven has a deep and proud connection with swimming in Australia and this new agreement further underlines our leadership in sports television. Today’s signing aligns perfectly with our long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee and our commitment to the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympic Games.”

Dual-World Champion from the Kazan World Championships Mitch Larkin added, “I have very fond memories as a kid of cheering on my idols from home, watching them race on television and getting to know them as athletes – it sparked my interest in the sport and my drive to compete and get to their level.

“To have swimming broadcast on Channel Seven for the next nine years is a huge step forward for swimming and the opportunities for our sport and our team profile to grow with this deal is really exciting.

Swimming Australia President John Bertrand AM said, “This deal is a game changer for the sport of swimming, both in terms of rich content to be broadcast to the nation as well as our ability to go to the sponsorship market with the Seven Network as our partner.

“Our athletes have pride, passion and commitment as they strive for success on the world stage. It gives me great pleasure to know that we can share these stories with the nation and share the journey of our Dolphins Team, across the Seven Network until 2025.”

“Swimming Australia would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the support that Network TEN have provided Swimming Australia since 2008. We have valued the partnership and wish to thank and acknowledge Network TEN for their contribution and investment into our sport,” Anderson said.