Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters wins Best Television Program at 2026 AFMA awards – Channel 7’s AFL news program The Agenda Setters has won Best Television Program at the 2026 Australian Football Media Awards, capping its second season on air.
The award was announced at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night. It recognises the program’s expansion to three nights each week in 2026 and its place in the AFL news cycle.
For Channel 7, the result highlights a growing audience for an AFL program built around news, analysis and discussion. Seven says total audience for The Agenda Setters is up 29 per cent year-on-year. Broadcast viewing is up 21 per cent, while streaming audiences on 7plus have doubled.
The Agenda Setters recognised at the AFMA awards
The Front Bar also received a commendable mention for Best Television Program. The long-running panel show won the AFMA award in 2023.
Southern Cross Media Group Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming Chris Jones said The Agenda Setters had helped shape the football conversation throughout the season.
“2026 delivered no shortage of major AFL stories, and The Agenda Setters was again at the forefront – often breaking the news that shaped the AFL conversation,” Jones said.
He credited the on-air team of Caroline Wilson, Kane Cornes, Craig Hutchison, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge, Dale Thomas, Mitch Cleary and Tom Morris. Jones also acknowledged Head of AFL and Sport Innovation Gary O’Keeffe, the production team and production partner Rainmaker.
Elsewhere, 7NEWS Chief Football Reporter Mitch Cleary won Best News or Feature Reporting by an Individual for the second year running. He was recognised for reporting on the arrest of Hawthorn players Dylan Moore and Connor McDonald in the United States, including an on-camera interview with Moore.
Channel 7 also noted commendable mentions for Dale Thomas in the Lou Richards Medal category. The Agenda Setters panellist Caroline Wilson and 7NEWS’ Tom Morris were also commended in the individual reporting category.
Channel 7’s AFL coverage continues with the preliminary finals, including Sydney Swans v Fremantle from 7.00pm AEST Friday on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus.
For more TV Central AFL news, head here. Watch The Agenda Setters on 7plus.
