Seven Upfront
12.30pm The Upfront is underway with a highlight reel of some of Seven’s greatest hits. Sonia Kruger on set. “We’ve had more lockdowns than I have skipped hot dinners”. Another presentation job for Seven’s busiest star.
Kruger introduces Jessica Mauboy who does a Welcome to Country.
Sonia is back saying the decision of James Warburton to buy The Voice was a “masterstroke”. She then throws to a highlights package of Big Brother VIP which she is hosting shortly.
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, says: “Two years after we announced our new content strategy, including a clear focus on reaching younger viewers, we are currently back at #1 and that is where we are going to stay.
“Since last year we have kept our promises. We are still growing and winning.”
Warburton recalls some of the highlights from programs like The Voice and then throws to a reel full of stars from Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympics.
This then merges into a promo for the Winer Olympics coming early in 2022. Warburton then introduces Rita Ora who reveals she will be back for The Voice Generations in 2022.
Sonia is back – this time plugging another of her shows – Dancing with the Stars. She is joined Olympia Valance and Angie Kent who are competing in 2022.
SAS Australia host Ant Middleton then hosts a reel about the return of SAS Australia in 2022 with some new co-commanders. Sonia then introduces Seven West Media chief revenue officer.
He has news about 7REDiQ and then reveals Seven has secured the 2022 Commonwealth Games from Birmingham.
Staying with sport, Tokyo 2020 host Hamish McLachlan previews some of what to come in cricket this summer.
He speaks with Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch and commentator Lisa Sthalekar.
Hamish is also joined by Mark Winterbottom who talks Supercars.
Hamish then talks about Seven’s commitment to horse racing across 52 weeks of the year.
Matt Shirvington and Mel McLaughlin then talk sport too. Shirvo reveals Lord Ian Botham will join Seven’s commentary team.
Coaches Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy from The Voice talk about the return of the format in 2022.
“Australia’s #1 show and the highest ratings in six years.”
Next is a recap on the return of Big Brother in 2022 with housemates from the past coming face to face with 12 new housemates.
A highlight reel of Farmer Wants a Wife – there will be a farmer like no other. Sam Armytage explains why she is joining the show.
“The biggest show on the planet” is a plug for Australia’s Got Talent.
Then the return of another singing competition – Who will be the first new Australian Idol?
Kyle Gillies is up next with perhaps the day’s biggest announcement – the return of My Kitchen Rules.
“The show viewers and brands will want to engage with.”
New Better Homes and Gardens specialist Charlie Albone is on next to explain the return of the House Rules format as the all new Apartment Rules. Six couples will bring one apartment block into the 21st century.
Summer Bay’s Georgie Parker arrives to promote the only other drama on the sale – “the drama of the year”, Claremont.
There’s also a package promoting the new Investigation Australia for 2022.
Home and Away gets its own spot on the show with a highlights package. “Now more than ever people want to escape. And who wouldn’t want to come here.”
Michael Usher and Natalie Barr then arrive for a highlights package about the news and current affairs offerings.
“The way people consume news and so is the way we deliver it.”
Larry Emdur and Joh Griggs talk about opportunities for advertisers across the schedule.
Gemma Acton and David Koch talk about 7plus and the way advertisers can benefit from Seven’s data strategy.
Kurt Burnette returns: “2022 will be a year like no other. Business will want an edge to start the year who are ready to spend. And we have a solution. Kickstart 2022.”
Kurt also has news about 7Shop and 7Rewards. “The goal is to deliver better results for advertisers and consumers.”
Kurt also has details about how VOZ is giving advertisers better insights into the size of TV audiences.
He also details how Code7 is evolving. The new trading platform is named Code7+ and will incorporate VOZ data.
Sam Mac and Emily Weir promote 7plus and talk about recent successes including Tokyo 2020 and others.
Katie McGrath, Seven’s chief people and culture officer, talks about gender balance with more role for women. Also more diversity onscreen. “Our journey is not complete and we still have a long way to go.”
Kurt gives some final comments and shares the slide of the 2022 schedule.
Lots more details from the Upfront Minis at Inside7.com.au.The Upfront finished with the winner of The Voice 2021, Bella Taylor Smith.
The End – 13:37.