Channel 7's coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 was named 'Best Sports Coverage' at the 2024 TV Week Logie Awards on Sunday night.
Accepting the award on stage was Channel 7 presenter Mel McLaughlin, who said this victory was a "big deal".
"This is the first time that a standalone female sporting event has ever won this Logie," McLaughlin told the live industry audience in Sydney after accepting the award from Australian canoeist Jessica Fox and swimmer-turned-TV presenter Johanna Griggs.
"There was a group of us from Seven that were absolutely desperate to get these free-to-air rights because love football, we love the Matildas," she continued. "We wanted to tell the story, and we also knew something special was going to happen."
Photo: Channel 7
Of course, the anticipation in the lead up to Australia and New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup was huge, but McLaughlin says many people's expectations were exceeded when it came to the public's response – particularly towards the Matildas.
"We knew it would be something special. We definitely didn't necessarily think it was going to be the most watched television event in Australia," she said.
According to Reuters, Australia's semi-final loss to England had an average TV audience of 7.2 million on Channel Seven, while the final where Spain defeated England attracted 5.54 million viewers.
McLaughlin emphasised sport's power to evoke a sense of community. "We brought the country together, made everyone happy – which we don't always get to say – and hopefully it's changed the Australian sporting landscape forever," she said, adding that it's also encouraged people "to look at each other differently in terms of women's sport".
Matildas star Lydia Williams joined McLaughlin on stage for the win, this being her first big red carpet appearance since her retirement came into effect following the Paris Olympics.
Speaking to Missing Perspectives on the Logies red carpet, Williams said, "I never am really in the country for any major event like this, so it's really nice to be here and mingle with Australian TV and media... it's really cool!"