Shannon Noll As part of a new campaign that sees Australians being exposed to some major TV news stories, the big question being asked is “What about free?”
For the first time, a large number of game Free and can be streamed in HD 7plus Which includes football, cricket, horse racing, boxing, supercars, LIV golf, AFLW, cycling, hockey, athletics, netball etc.
Watch the video above: Shannon Noll celebrates the free game coming to 7Plus.
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Changing the words to his iconic hit single 'What About Me', the singer performed as the first 7Plus Sport 'Fanbassador'.
As a longtime sports fan, no one is more excited about the news of the free game than the star athlete himself.
“It's bringing the sport back to the Australian public, which I'm a huge fan of,” he said. 7NEWS.com.au.
“Growing up on a farm and in a small community sports were everything to us and a way to bring the community together.”
The “What About Free” campaign was filmed with sporting icons such as cricket legend Ricky Ponting, his son Fletcher, commentator Bruce McAvaney, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aaron Finch, Olympians and. Sunrise Co-hosts Matt Shirvington, AFLW Swans star Tanya Kennedy, Cricketer Ash Gardner and 7News sports presenter Mel McLaughlin.
“There was a lot of energy and some great players,” Noll says.
Noll says it's an “amazing feeling” that his 20-year-old song still resonates with listeners and is being used in campaigns like this.
Crediting the song to the original song from Moving Pictures (1982), he said they were “very lucky to have had the chance to make their own version of it and bring it to a new kind of audience.”
“This song was very successful 20 years ago, and 20 years before that too.
“So that's a clear indication of how great this song is.”
Despite playing it at every show, Noll says “I don't get bored of it at all, I'm very, very lucky.”
Before becoming one of Australia's favourite singers, Noll was pursuing a career in sport, and at the age of 19 he decided to move to Sydney from Orange in regional New South Wales to play in the AFL.
“There were many great sporting years growing up. Football in the winter, cricket in the summer and golf in the spring,” he recalls fondly.
“And (now) the exciting part is to see the top players playing the same game … Australia has been an amazing ground for such talented players. We have some of the best sportsmen and women in the world.”
Noll began his AFL career in the Northern Riverina Football League, and then moved to Sydney at the age of 19 to play first grade for Sydney's Western Suburbs.
“But then I had to retire after that TV show,” he says laughingly about his rise to fame Australian Idol He died in the year 2003, which changed the direction of his life.
“I think I'm a better singer than a footballer!”
Noll and his wife, Rochelle, have four children: Blake, 21, and Cody, 22, Sienna, 17, and Colton, 5, who is “also playing football now”.
“It’s great to be able to see that.”
The singer is currently busy with his “Fanbassador” role, as well as his tour of Australia – That's What I'm Talking About – during which he'll be singing hits from his debut studio album to mark its 20th anniversary.
“It just started last weekend. So they're going really well, everyone's having a great time and really enjoying, you know, reminiscing about the album tracks.”
'A defining moment in digital streaming'
Knoll'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 the Test summer of cricket between Australia and India.
Adding to Seven’s already extensive digital sports offering, which includes horse racing, boxing, Supercars, AFLW, LIV golf, cycling, hockey, athletics, netball and more, Australians will now be able to watch every single game on Seven, live and free, at any time, from anywhere in Australia, on any device.
Seven Digital’s group managing director Gerard Roberts said of the launch: “7plus Sport represents the most significant change in Australian sport in decades.
“For the first time, all Australians will be able to watch AFL and cricket live and free, anywhere, at any time and on any device.”
“To say this is a game changer for fans, sports organisations and advertisers would be a huge understatement.
“Across AFL and cricket, we'll be launching a number of new programs and features across 7plus Sport to keep fans informed, entertained and engaged 52 weeks a week, every year. Stay tuned for some big announcements.”
“A big launch needs a big singer and a big song, and what better than Knowlesi and the Australian national anthem? The launch of 7Plus Sport marks a new era in Australian sport and a big change for Seven.”
Seven’s head of sport digital, Kirsty Bradmore, said: “This is a historic moment in Australian sports broadcasting, and we can’t wait to show (next) Saturday’s AFL Grand Final and every exciting moment of the upcoming summer of cricket, live and free on 7plus.
“With supercharged digital rights for our country’s biggest and most popular winter and summer sports, we’re not only delivering more sporting content than ever before, but we’re making them accessible to every Australian, everywhere.
He said, “In 2025, 7plus will become the ultimate destination for AFL fans, providing football 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.”
“From (Monday) night's Brownlow Medal to the AFL Grand Final and beyond, all Australians can experience sport's biggest moments, whenever and wherever they want.
“At Seven, we’re committed to leading the future of sports entertainment and connecting Australians to the moments that impact us most, and this is just the beginning.”
Stream football, cricket, horse racing, boxing, Supercars, LIV golf, AFLW, cycling, hockey, athletics, netball and more for free, and that too in HD 7plus,
