Channel 7 It is the largest television network in Australia in terms of audience reach. The former perennial bridesmaid network, Seven has traditionally been the second-highest rating network but has overtaken Nine in recent years. Traditionally strong in (the smaller cities of) Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, it lagged behind market-leader Nine in the largest markets of Sydney and Melbourne where the lion's share of advertising revenue is made. Seven's new-found competitiveness in news and current affairs in 2003 helped increase its overall viewing share. It finally claimed Nine's long held "Still the One" mantle in 2000, '07 and '08 and continues to perform strongly. Channel 7 stations in Sydney and Melbourne started in 1956 and it was the Olympic rights holder from 1992-2008.
