Australia’s Seven Boosts Sports Coverage with Free Dedicated Apps

SYDNEY: Australia’s Seven Network is beefing up its commitment to delivering major live sporting events, launching a "40 Days of Sports" initiative that will include free dedicated apps and an expanded streaming presence.

Starting next month, the channel will roll out apps for iOS and Android devices, along with complementary websites, for the live-streaming of its biggest sports franchises. Slated to be included in this free streaming delivery is the network’s coverage of Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, the Davis Cup in Darwin, the FINA World Swimming Championships and the major national golf tournaments: the Australian Masters, the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championships. Video and digital content will also be available across an array of delivery platforms, including HbbTV (Hybrid TV).

Clive Dickens, Seven’s chief digital officer, said: “This is an exciting development for our business, our Australian audiences and our marketing partners. Seven West Media has some of the most successful consumer brands and franchises and these new live and free sports products underline our focus on the delivery of our market-leading content anywhere, anytime to the biggest audiences.

“Mobile is no longer the second screen; increasingly for some, it’s ‘the screen.’ The Australian Open was a bold step for our business. It reinforced our commitment to our new mobile venture: 40 days of free and live sport on your mobile. We will bring the live and free sports action to you, you will never miss a moment, and it is television in your pocket. It is where we are heading as a content company as mobile extends the reach of television outside the home or primary device and it’s happening now.”

Saul Shtein, Seven’s head of sport, said: “We are building the platforms to drive our future. Our major sports franchises deliver to our business an extraordinary opportunity to drive home our leadership as we broadcast many of the world’s best sports across our broadcast television and digital platforms, and increasingly deliver content on mobile.”