Nick Daicos’ Brownlow Medal win delivers decade-high audience for Channel 7 – Nick Daicos’ record-breaking victory helped the 2026 Charles Brownlow Medal reach 3.4 million people across Channel 7 and 7plus Sport.
The ceremony averaged 1.63 million viewers on national total TV. That result was 18 per cent higher than the 1.38 million recorded in 2025. Seven said it was the Brownlow Medal’s biggest audience in more than a decade.
The figures give Channel 7 a strong opening to AFL Grand Final Week. They also show the growing contribution of 7plus Sport, which carried the Brownlow coverage alongside the free-to-air broadcast.
Nick Daicos makes Brownlow history
Daicos polled 47 votes to claim the medal at Crown Palladium. It was the highest single-season total in the award’s history.
The night also produced another significant milestone. Patrick Dangerfield moved to 262 career votes, equalling Gary Ablett Jr’s all-time record.
Seven Network Head of AFL and Sport Innovation Gary O’Keeffe congratulated Daicos on the win. He said the Collingwood star had capped an extraordinary season with a place in the history books.
7plus Sport viewing rises
More than 435,000 people watched the ceremony through 7plus Sport. That streaming audience was 37 per cent higher than last year.
The Brownlow Medal Red Carpet also performed strongly. It reached 1.78 million Australians and averaged 977,000 on national total TV, an increase of 11 per cent. More than 273,000 viewers watched the red carpet on 7plus Sport.
Seven’s Brownlow Medal team
Hamish McLachlan presented the Brownlow Medal coverage with 7NEWS Melbourne Chief Sport Presenter Rebecca Maddern. McLachlan is also a 7AFL commentator and the host of Unfiltered.
Abbey Holmes led the red carpet broadcast. Emma Freedman, Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson joined her across the arrivals coverage.
O’Keeffe praised the team’s work across the night. He highlighted McLachlan’s post-win interview with Daicos and Maddern’s conversations with leading football figures.
AFL Grand Final Week on Channel 7
The Brownlow Medal begins a full week of AFL programming on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport. The Agenda Setters returns at 8.30pm on Tuesday with a Grand Final special.
Kane Cornes leads the program with Caroline Wilson, Luke Hodge and Dale Thomas. The panel will examine the major Grand Final storylines as the countdown to Saturday continues.
Wednesday brings the premiere of Centimetre Perfect at 8.30pm. The feature-length documentary celebrates the life and career of Australian sports broadcaster Dennis Cometti.
On Thursday, Geelong meets Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium in the opening match of AFLW Round Seven. Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher then return for The Front Bar’s Grand Final edition at 8.30pm.
When to watch the 2026 AFL Grand Final
The 2026 AFL Grand Final airs live and free on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus Sport this Saturday. Seven’s final programme information lists coverage from the MCG beginning at 9.00am AEST.
For more TV Central Channel 7 news, head to our Channel 7 section. Watch Seven’s live sports coverage through 7plus Sport.