Eddie McGuire shocks fans with career switch to rival network ahead of AFL season

In Australia, Eddie McGuire has long been a prominent figure in sports media, largely associated with Channel 9. However, as the 2025 AFL season approaches, McGuire, 60, is making a surprising transition to a rival network, Channel 7. This career shift comes despite having spent a significant portion of his career at Channel 9, where he became known for his role as the host of 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?' among other projects. His production company, JAM TV, has secured the rights to create two new AFL talk shows that will air on Channel 7, demonstrating his ongoing influence and adaptability in the media landscape. The first show, titled the Sunday Footy Feast, will be broadcast weekly after Channel 9's Sunday Footy Show, while the second show, referred to as The Wash Up, will take place after Channel 7's live footy coverage on Sunday afternoons. This strategic move to Channel 7 marks a notable shift in McGuire’s career and reflects the competitive dynamics in Australian sports media. McGuire’s history includes previously working as a statistician for the AFL and as a cricket reporter for the now-defunct Herald in Melbourne before joining Channel 10 and eventually Channel 9 in 1993. Known for his extensive involvement in various media projects, he has earned the nickname 'Eddie Everywhere' due to his wide-ranging presence in Australian television and sports commentary. However, this latest development in his career has not gone unnoticed. McGuire's criticism towards his former colleagues Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson, who defected from Channel 9 to Channel 7, highlights an underlying tension between the networks. This rivalry is evident as McGuire has publicly labeled Channel 7 as the 'Channel Copycat,' showing that he is not intimidated by the competition, despite the clear stakes involved. As he expressed in a recent interview, McGuire suggested that changes in personnel at Channel 9 would pave the way for new talent and projects to emerge, positioning himself and his team to innovate and compete effectively against the larger backdrop of the AFL media landscape. The upcoming competition between McGuire and Channel 7's Craig Hutchison, a long-time friend, will be an interesting narrative to follow as both navigate their respective roles in an ever-evolving media environment. As September approaches, fans and commentators alike will be closely observing the impact of these changes and how they shape the presentation of AFL football on television moving forward. Overall, Eddie McGuire’s new venture with Channel 7 represents not just a personal career pivot but also a significant shift in the competitive dynamics of AFL broadcasting.