Seven has unveiled a content slate that mixes tried and test formats with a sprinkling of new magic.
Speaking at the network’s first Upfront ’26 presentation at Royal Randwick today, Seven West Media chief executive Jeff Howard said the network will be, “doubling down on what works: content that helps brands meet audiences wherever they are, and of course, delivering results. Our focus in 2026 is on growth, partnership and performance. We’re bringing all three.”
Seven reaches more than 17 million Australians every month across its television and streaming platforms, with the 7plus streaming platform recording significant growth in 2024-25 including 1.4 million new registrations, daily active users up 31 per cent and average viewing time up 13 per cent.
Similarly to its rival Nine, Seven has talked up its sports line-up for the year, which takes off in a few weeks with a red-hot summer of cricket, featuring The Ashes and Big Bash Leagues, followed by the Super Bowl and AFL footy season.
The major sporting event on Seven this year (Ashes and AFL Grand Final aside) is the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which runs for 10 days just after the FIFA World Cup at the end of July and early August.
On the entertainment front, Seven has brought back its big hits, which includes Farmer Wants A Wife, My Kitchen Rules, Australia Idol, Home and Away and The Voice.
They will be joined by newcomers My Reno Rules, Caught In The Middle, SAS: Australia v England, a yet-to-be-named Mick Molloy comedy series, Once In A Lifetime, Tina Arena: Unravel Me, First Dates Australia and The Mental As Anything Story.
The ‘Gout Gout frenzy’
Seven’s national television sales director Katie Finney told B&T that there is one event she is looking forward to most.
“The Commonwealth Games is going to be a massive 10 days right in the middle of winter,” Finney said. This will be the biggest opportunity for advertisers to reach viewers coming straight into Prime Time. And I’m calling it the ‘Gout Gout frenzy’,” she said.
There are plenty of other Aussie medal hopes—Australia has consistently topped the medal tally aside from blip post London Olympics—including our swimmers, high jump world champion, Nicola Olyslagers, pole vault champ Nina Kennedy and track sensation Gout Gout.
“Australians love to see Australians winning. And there’s going to be 200 gold medal opportunities up for grabs. So it’s going to be so great for brands, great for viewers at home in the middle of the year. And sport drives the best results for brands in terms of connecting with those cultural moments and audiences at scale.”
Another new addition to Seven’s sporting calendar is the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026), which will be live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport from 15 October 2026.
Seven Network’s chief content officer Brook Hall called out several new shows that he believes will surprise audiences in 2026 but its the new TV show without a name that stands out.
“I reckon this will be a bit of a dark horse, and not many people will notice it, because it’s a bit of a bit of a low key launch for us, but it’s by Nick Malloy and Glen Robbins. They came in and on their own back, invested in and shot a pilot, so we got to watch something,” said
“It was one of the funniest pieces of content we’ve seen in 10 years, and we are taking a risk of something new on television. It’s not a quiz, it’s not a reality show, it’s not scripted, it’s something else. I think that if we can get this away with a big promo to find the right place, it could be a format that ends up traveling across the world.
“I think whoever gets into that might get some unintended extra value and a good laugh.”
Reno Rumble is a renovation format that asks contestants to turn a dilapidated building into a beautiful home and viewers have a chance to win the finished product.
Continuing the Ashes rivalry, SAS: Australia vs England is a collaboration with the UK’s Channel 4, pits celebrities from both countries surviving and carrying out daring challenges.
This year, Seven added Southern Cross Media’s regional TV licences, giving the network 100 per cent national coverage and creating a one-stop shop for brands wanting to reach every corner of Australia.
Seven has also announced 7GeoPlus, a new geo-targeting technology that sets a benchmark for precision in connected TV advertising and a new data partnership with Westpac.
