SEG to deliver wall-to-wall coverage of historic Melbourne NFL game

Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) has embraced this week’s first ever NFL match in Australia, launching unprecedented programming and event coverage of the historic event.

Led by Gerard Whateley, who has called more Super Bowls than any Australian (nine), and Australia’s first ever Super Bowl player, Ben Graham, Sports Entertainment Network’s (SEN) exclusive audio call will deliver every moment play-by-play of one of the most anticipated international sporting events ever staged on Australian soil.

Friday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams forms part of SEN's multi-year broadcast partnership with the National Football League (NFL), announced last year and extending through to 2028, delivering live games, finals and major NFL events to Australian audiences.

SEN's coverage will begin on Thursday, September 10, with Whateley broadcasting live from the Melbourne End Zone fan activation at Federation Square from 9am to 12pm, before Dwayne Russell takes Dwayne's World to The Sporting Globe's NFL event at Melbourne Park from 12pm to 3pm. The Run Home with Andy Maher and Josh Jenkins will then broadcast live from Federation Square from 3pm to 6pm, before Ben Graham, Cam Luke and Jordan Kounelis host a special NFL Preview Show from 6pm to 8pm.

On Thursday night, SEG’s TV arm, Rainmaker, will produce The Agenda Setters NFL for the Seven Network, which will be broadcast on 7mate and 7plus from 7.30pm nationally featuring Nick Reiwoldt, Josh Jenkins and Ben Graham.

On game day, Fireball with Kane and Kingy (with Kane Cornes and David King) kicks off coverage live from The Pullman Hotel from 6 to 9am building up to the historic matchup, before Whateley, Graham and SEN NFL commentator, Jordan Kounelis, lead live commentary and analysis through until 3pm.

The Run Home will then take fans through all the reaction and fallout from the game with a special post-match broadcast from 3pm to 6pm from Federation Square.

In addition to its extensive broadcast plans, SEG’s events and activations business, Ballpark Entertainment, is bringing a range of premium fan experiences and brand activations to life throughout NFL Melbourne week. Working with ESPN on Disney+, Visit Victoria and the Victorian Government, Toyota, and Four'N Twenty, Ballpark will deliver the Melbourne End Zone fan precinct at Federation Square, featuring the Game Day Live Stage thanks to ESPN on Disney+ where live game broadcasts, interactive fan experiences, live entertainment, major brand activations and dedicated on-site programming will give thousands of fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement surrounding the NFL's historic arrival in Australia.

SEN Publishing is also involved, adding to the excitement surrounding the game with the official NFL Game Day Magazine, now is on sale now through Coles, Woolworths and participating newsagents nationwide for $25, as well as being available at the MCG on match day. The special edition publication includes team profiles on the Rams and 49ers, features on Australia's growing love affair with the NFL, season previews, players to watch, and comprehensive team statistics and lists.

SEG has also joined the event fun of Melbourne, staging a brand takeover of The Kingston Hotel in East Richmond, converting it to SEN House. Fans can enjoy a whole world of experiences at SEN House over the next few weeks.

SEN Chief Executive, Craig Hutchison, said the network was thrilled to play a central role in the historic occasion.

"This is a genuinely historic moment for Australian sport and the NFL, and SEN is incredibly proud to be part of it," Hutchison said.

"Our partnership with the NFL continues to go from strength to strength, and having Ben Graham, Gerard Whateley and Jordan Kounelis lead our coverage ensures fans will hear the game through the very best in the business.

"The buzz around this event is enormous, and we're excited to bring it to life for audiences across Australia with extensive coverage across the week, culminating in what promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion at the MCG."

SEN’s NFL coverage will extend well beyond the Melbourne spectacle, with the network continuing to broadcast the biggest games every Monday morning across the regular season via NFL on SEN, plus every play off game and the Super Bowl, as part of its long-term agreement with the league.

Fans can tune into SEN’s comprehensive NFL coverage across all SEN stations, including; SEN 1116am Melbourne, SEN 1170am Sydney, SENQ 693am Brisbane, SEN Gold Coast 1620am, SEN SA 1629am, SEN Tassie 1629am, SEN Top End 1611am, SEN Mt Gambier 1629am, SENSpirit 621am Bunbury, SENSpirit 1494am South West, SEN Peel in Mandurah DAB+, SEN Goldfields 1611am Kalgoorlie, SEN Fanatic on DAB+, and the SEN App.