Shannon Noll is asking the big question “What About Free?” in a brand-new campaign letting Aussies in on some major TV news.
For the first time, a huge number of sports can be streamed for free and HD on 7plus including footy, cricket, horse racing, boxing, supercars, LIV Golf, AFLW, cycling, hockey, athletics, netball and more.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Shannon Noll celebrates free sport coming to 7Plus.
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Changing the words of his iconic hit single What About Me, the singer performs as the first 7plus SPORT “Fanbassador”.
As a longtime sporting nut, nobody is more excited about the news of free sport than the star himself.
“It’s bringing sport back to the Australian public, which I am a huge fan of,” he tells 7NEWS.com.au.
“Growing up on the farm and in a small community sport was everything for us and was a way to bring the community together.”
The “What About Free” campaign was filmed alongside sporting icons such as cricket legend Ricky Ponting, his son Fletcher, commentator Bruce McAvaney, former cricketer turned commentator Aaron Finch, Olympian and Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington, AFLW Swans star Tanya Kennedy, cricketer Ash Gardner and 7NEWS sports presenter Mel McLaughlin.
Noll says there “was so much energy there and some great sporting athletes”.
That his 20-year-old song is still resonating with audiences and being used in campaigns such as this, Noll says, is an “amazing feeling”.
Crediting the original song by Moving Pictures (1982), he said he was “so blessed to be able to have the chance to cut my version of it and bring it to a new sort of audience.
“Twenty years ago the song was so successful and the 20 years before that.
“So it’s an absolute sign of how magnificent the song is.”
Despite playing it at every gig he performs, Noll says there’s “no way I’m sick of it, I’m very, very lucky”.
Before becoming one of Australia’s favourite singers, Noll was chasing a career in sport, making the big move from Orange in regional NSW to Sydney at 19 to play AFL.
“So many great years of playing sport growing up. Footy in winter, cricket in summer and golf in the spring,” he fondly recalls.
“And (now) the exciting part is watching the elite people play that same sport … Australia has been such an amazing area for such talented sportspeople. We’ve got some of the best sportsmen and women in the world.”
Noll began his AFL career at Northern Riverina Football League before moving to Sydney aged 19 to play first grade for Sydney’s Western Suburbs.
“But then I had to retire after that TV show,” he laughs about finding fame on Australian Idol in 2003, changing the trajectory of his life.
“I think I’m a better singer than I was a footballer!”
Noll and his wife Rochelle have four children: Blake, 21, and Cody, 22, Sienna, 17, and Colton, 5, who are “now playing footy too”.
“It is so great to be able to watch.”
The singer is currently juggling his “Fanbassador” role with his tour of Australia — That’s What I’m Talking About, during which he is singing the hits from his debut studio album on its 20th anniversary.
“It just started last weekend. So they’re going really, really well, everyone’s having a great time and really enjoying, you know, reminiscing about the album tracks.”
‘Defining moment in digital streaming’
Noll’s What About Free campaign celebrates a defining moment in the digital streaming revolution.
7plus Sport means every Australian can now livestream AFL football matches and the best international and domestic cricket on home soil — including the upcoming 2024 AFL Grand Final and Test summer of cricket between Australia and India.
Adding to Seven’s already extensive digital sport offering, which includes horse racing, boxing, Supercars, AFLW, LIV Golf, cycling, hockey, athletics, netball and so much more, Australians will now be able to watch every Seven sport, live and free on any device from anywhere in Australia at any time.
Gereurd Roberts, Group Managing Director, Seven Digital, said of the launch: “7plus Sport represents the most significant change in Australian sport in decades.
“For the very first time, all Australians will be able to watch AFL and cricket anywhere, at any time and on any device — live and free.
“To say it is a game changer for fans, sporting organisations and advertisers is a massive understatement.
“In addition to AFL and cricket, we will be rolling out many new programs and features across 7plus Sport to keep fans informed, entertained and engaged week in, week out, 52 weeks a year. Stay tuned for some big announcements.
“A big launch deserves a big singer and a big song, and who better than Nollsie and an Australian anthem? The launch of 7plus Sport marks a new era in Australian sport and a step change for Seven.”
Seven’s Head of Sport Digital, Kirsty Bradmore, said: “This is a landmark moment in Australian sports broadcasting, and we cannot wait to finally deliver every nail-biting moment of (next) Saturday’s AFL Grand Final and the upcoming summer of cricket, all live and free on 7plus.
“With supercharged digital rights for our nation’s biggest and most popular winter and summer sports, we’re not just delivering more sports content than ever before, we’re making them accessible to every Australian everywhere.
“In 2025, 7plus will become the ultimate destination for AFL fans, delivering footy content every day of the week. Whether it’s live matches, in-depth analysis, or exclusive behind-the-scenes content, AFL fans can stay connected to their favourite sport like never before, anytime, anywhere,” she said.
“From (Monday) night’s Brownlow Medal to the AFL Grand Final and beyond, all Australians can experience the biggest moments in sport, whenever and wherever they want.
“At Seven, we’re committed to leading the future of sports entertainment and connecting Australians with the moments that move us most, and this is just the beginning.”
Stream Footy, Cricket, Horse Racing, Boxing, Supercars, LIV Golf, AFLW, Cycling, Hockey, Athletics, Netball and more all for FREE, and all in HD on 7plus.