Fresh off the successes that came with reviving Big Brother, Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) is firmly on the front foot of their corporate turnaround strategy securing plenty of interest in new show SAS Australia which in its first week has celebritised a convicted drug smuggler while egging a man on to bash a woman. 

The debut week of Channel 7’s content venture has certainly turned heads and drawn attention to the network with viewers encouraged by the fact that there is a life after prison for them under Channel 7’s content strategy.

Following the first episode of SAS Australia on Monday, Martina Martinez was pleased to hear her daughter’s interest in Schapelle Corby. 

“She asked me what Schapelle did to get on the show so I explained it to her. She’s never been so happy because she’s always wanted to be an actress and knows exactly what she now needs to do to reach that goal,” said Martinez. 

Beyond glamorising Corby and her rise to international fame, Channel 7 was further applauded for an in-show challenge which pitted contestants against each other in boxing matches. 

Putting their corporate equality mantra to the fore, producers emphasised gender equality by pairing professional rugby player Nick Cummins against AFL Womens star Sabrina Frederick. 

Seeing Cummins punish Frederick with repeated blows to the face, girls around Australia were reminded of Channel 7’s progressive ethos that ensures all are treated equally, regardless of gender. 

Investors have been full of praise towards Channel 7 and SAS Australia with SWM shares rallying well through October to close on Wednesday at $0.165 after the woman-bashing episode, a 50% rise since the start of the month when shares were trading at $0.11.