Seven has secured the rights to 2018 Commonwealth Games on The Gold Coast.
Seven’s agreement with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) delivers all rights in Australia including free-to-air broadcast television and subscription television rights, online, mobile and social media, and radio, and expands to Seven’s digital platforms, including online and Hybrid Broadband Broadcast Television (HbbTV).
Seven is building its digital broadcast television platform and a significant online presence and will soon unveil its plans for the further delivery of its video and publishing content across an array of delivery platforms, including the forthcoming launch of HbbTV to further strengthen its broadcast television business and extend to one-on-one communications with its mass audiences.
Seven’s partnership with CGF follows Seven’s successful broadcast of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. Today’s agreement also confirms Seven’s commitment to bringing major events to all Australians. The agreement also further strengthens Seven’s leadership as the television network of major international events held in Australia, building on Seven’s coverage of the Australian Open, the World Swimming Championships in Perth, the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
CGF CEO, Mike Hooper, said: “The CGF is delighted to renew our relationship with Seven knowing it will ensure the widest possible coverage across the country when Australia again plays host to the Games on the Gold Coast in 2018. Seven’s commitment, coming off the success of Glasgow, illustrates the enduring appeal and bright future of the Commonwealth Games as we look ahead to 2018 on the Gold Coast and beyond.”
Gold Coast Organising Corporation Chairman, Nigel Chamier, believes the signing with Seven is a major boost to the 2018 event. Mr Chamier said: “Seven’s sports credentials are superb, and we look forward to them bringing their expertise and passion to our event on the Gold Coast.”
Kerry Stokes AC, Chairman of Seven West Media, said: “We’re delighted to be building a partnership with the Commonwealth Games. We are looking forward to working with the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Commonwealth Games Corporation on the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Importantly, our agreements with the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games allow our business to support Australian athletes across both the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games over the coming decade, and importantly for our business, these partnerships will play a key role in defining and building our media presence.”
Seven West Media Chief Executive Officer, Tim Worner said: “We are building the platforms to drive our future. We could not be happier to be in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. The Commonwealth Games in 2018 delivers our business an extraordinary opportunity to drive home our leadership as we broadcast the Australian Open, the Olympic Winter Games and the Commonwealth Games in the one year.”
Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer, Kurt Burnette, said: “The partnership with the Commonwealth Games delivers Seven an extraordinary marketing platform, both in the lead up to the Games and also across the first four months of 2018 as we deliver all-encompassing coverage of The Australian Open, the Olympic Winter Games and the Commonwealth Games, all on one network, Seven, and in audience-friendly time zones in Australia. The trifecta of big events in 2018 is perhaps the biggest and strongest marketing platform for any network at any time, and the opportunities for our advertising partners will be unparalleled.”