Australia’s 7 Network Secures ISL Inaugural Season Broadcast Rights

Just days after the International Swimming League (ISL) published its technical information, breaking down event schedules, scoring, lineups and more, Australia’s Channel 7 revealed it has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the league’s inaugural season.

Kyle Chalmers, Cate Campbell, Bronte Campbell, Ariarne Titmus, Emma McKeon and Mitch Larkin are just a few of the stellar Aussie stars sprinkled throughout the 8 ISL squads based around the world and set to compete.

Swimming Australia Chief Executive Leigh Russell said of the network’s airing rights, “Channel 7 is a wonderful partner of swimming in Australia and our fans will now have the opportunity to watch our athletes compete against the world’s best in a brand new format for international swimming – it is an exciting time for our sport.”

Seven’s Head of Sport Saul Shtein said, “The ISL will give swimming an established place in the annual sporting calendar and offers sports fans the chance to watch the world’s best compete regularly in an exciting new format, while this inaugural season should also provide a tantalising lead-in to Tokyo 2020. We’re thrilled to bring it to our viewers and to be adding more premium live content to 7plus.”

Swimming fans will also be able to watch highlights of every ISL meet on 7TWO and 7plus.

The broadcasting announcement is good news for Aussie swim fans, who were also recently informed they’d be able to watch the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships on Channel 7, with the station becoming the first Australian commercial network ever to air the event.

However, this year’s FINA World Aquatic Championships were not aired on Australian television for the first time since 1986, leaving spectators down under to follow along through the Swimming Australia iSwim app.

Quotes courtesy of Swimming Australia.

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PanPacs99
5 years ago

Actually, I don’t think the 2013 world championships were on Australian TV – Channel 10 didn’t want to pay fina’s price either.

Troyy
5 years ago

It seems like ISL intentionally scheduled all the meets so they’re timed best for European and American audiences. For instance if they were all at night the American meets would be at a reasonable time for watching in Asia/Oceania but instead all the American meets are in the middle of the day to reach European audiences while the European meets are all at night because the day time would once again be perfect for Asia/Oceania but suck for America.

I doubt I’ll be able to watch ISL given there probably won’t be replays on 7plus and I won’t be able to watch at 3-5am. Basically the worst possible hours.

Verram
Reply to  Troyy
5 years ago

Do u have timer recorder ?

Troyy
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

7plus is only via the web or app no? There’s no regular TV broadcast otherwise I’d record it.

Troyy
Reply to  Troyy
5 years ago

Nope. Only the highlights are on 7Two. Anyway, according to Swimming Australia it should be replayable on 7Plus.

Verram
Reply to  Troyy
5 years ago

Also I think they’re promising highlights not just live so that’s still better than nothing lately

Troyy
Reply to  Troyy
5 years ago

I emailed Swimming Australia and apparently it should show up on 7plus as a previously aired show for a period of time afterwards.

Cme
Reply to  Troyy
5 years ago

Any luck finding this today? I wasn’t up at 5am, but I can’t find any info on 7 or in my TV guide that it even aired – on 7plus Or on 7two. If anyone has found it, can you please paste a link?

Verram
5 years ago

I’m really glad swimming is back on mainstream television outside the Olympics

torchbearer
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

Me too….but please no Giannn Rooney…just give Nicole Livingstone however much she wants!!

H1H2
5 years ago

This is what happens when FINA is so greedy over broadcasting. Good on ISL.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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