NEW SOUTH WALES v QUEENSLAND STREAM ORIGIN FOR FREE ON 9NOW THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 7.30PM AEST
The fiercest rivalry in Australian sport enters a new era when the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series roars to life from tonight – Thursday, April 30, Exclusive, Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
For the third year in a row, the best players in the world will collide in a three-game showdown for the shield and Nine’s Wide World of Sports is the only place to catch all of the action.
The New South Wales Blues Women will have all guns firing with NRLW stars Jaime Chapman, Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and returning after the birth of her first child last year – Millie Elliott.
While new Maroons captain Tamika Upton will be tasked with returning the shield to Queensland with help from senior players Romy Tietzel, Lauren Brown and Julia Robinson.Nine’s coverage will be hosted by Emma Lawrence with experts Cameron Smith, Brad Fittler, Allana Ferguson, commentator Peter Psaltis, and Marlee Silva on the sideline.
The series begins in the NSW heartland of Newcastle before moving to the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane and concluding in a high-stakes finale on the Gold Coast.
WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN I – NEW SOUTH WALES v QUEENSLAND Thursday, April 30 LIVE from McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now
WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN II – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES Thursday, May 14 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN III – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES Thursday, May 28 CBus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN I THURSDAY, APRIL 30, AT 7.30PM EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
This ANZAC Day, 9News and Weekend Today will present a comprehensive day of reflection, remembrance, and live coverage, uniting Australians to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our diggers. From the hallowed grounds of Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux to the solemnity of local Dawn Services in our capital cities, 9Network is committed to bringing the spirit of ANZAC Day directly to living rooms across the nation.
On Saturday, April 25, 9Network’s coverage will feature a distinguished team on the ground. 9News Presenter Peter Overton will host our international broadcasts from Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux, ensuring a poignant and informative experience for viewers. Reporting from these historic sites, Josh Bavas and Hannah Sinclair will provide the latest updates as the nation pays its respects.
Closer to home, 9Network will bring local commemorations to viewers across the country, featuring dedicated broadcasts of Brisbane’s Dawn Service, hosted by Joel Dry, and a live, reflective broadcast from Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance.
Following the morning services, Weekend Today will broadcast live from Currumbin Queensland, with hosts Ali Piotrowski and Michael Atkinson capturing the community spirit of the day.
“ANZAC Day is one of the most significant dates on the Australian calendar,” said Hugh Nailon, National News Director. “We are privileged to bring these important ceremonies to our audience, ensuring that whether they are in their homes or attending a service, they can stand united in remembrance.”
Viewers can tune in on Channel 9 and 9Now for full coverage throughout the day, with a comprehensive wrap in 9News at 6pm, and a special ANZAC Day edition of A Current Affair with Deb Knight at 7pm.
Nine Radio has delivered a resounding result in GfK Survey 2, claiming the No.1 station in both Sydney and Melbourne, winning breakfast in both cities, and posting significant audience gains right across the country.
Today’s results confirm that Australians are turning to Nine Radio in record numbers for trusted live and local news, sport, culture, and opinion. With Ben Fordham Live (2GB) and Breakfast with Ross and Russ (3AW) dominating the brekky battle, Nine Radio has firmly cemented its grip on the two most competitive markets in Australian radio.
This surge is reflected nationwide, with total listeners up 5% on Survey 1 and 8% year-on-year. More Australians than ever are choosing to tune in – whether at home or on the go – for the very best in live and local content that defines the network.
2GB Highlights
2GB is the No.1 station in Sydney with a 13.3 share (up 1.1)
Ben Fordham Live is No.1 in Breakfast with a 16.8 share (up 0.2)
Mornings with Mark Levy is No.1 in Talk with a 15.2 share (up 1.1)
3AW Highlights
3AW is the clear No.1 station in Melbourne with a 14.2 share (up 0.4)
Breakfast with Ross and Russ are No.1 with a massive 19.3 share
Mornings with Tom Elliott is No.1 with a 16.6 share (up 0.4)
Greg Byrnes, National Content Manager, said: “These are stunning results during a challenging news cycle. 2GB is No.1 in Sydney after recording the biggest station increase in the market, while 3AW has further solidified its dominance in Melbourne. 4BC shows solid growth following its lineup reshuffle, and 6PR maintains strong audience gains in Perth. It’s great recognition for our hardworking content teams and we thank our listeners for joining our conversation each day.”
COMMERCIAL RADIO SHARE
TOTAL RADIO CUME
15.1% (4 markets – up 0.5)
1.806million listeners each week (up 5%)
STREAMING
Nine Radio remains the dominant force in live audio streaming, surging an incredible 30% year-on-year, cementing its spot as the outright No.1 nationally. With a huge lead in shares across Breakfast and Mornings in both Sydney and Melbourne, these results reflect the growing number of Australians choosing to engage with live and local content via digital devices – at home, in the car, or wherever they choose to tune in.
2GB Streaming Highlights
2GB No.1 overall with a 36.0 commercial streaming share
Ben Fordham Live is No.1 in Breakfast with an incredible 48.8 share
Mornings with Mark Levy No.1 with 39.1 share
3AW Streaming Highlights
3AW No.1 overall with a 31.2 commercial streaming share
Breakfast with Ross and Russ No.1 with a 45.8 share
Mornings with Tom Elliott is No.1 with a 37.7 share
Greg Byrnes said: “The incredible growth in streaming shows that Australians increasingly view it as the best way to stay connected to our local content, wherever they are. The response to the rollout of our ‘insync’ football feature has been fantastic, and we have further exciting app upgrades in the pipeline. This ease of use and significant engagement highlight exactly how we continue to build our audience and reach even more listeners.”
COMMERCIAL STREAMING SHARE
STREAMING CUME
28.7 (up 1.3)
451,000
PODCASTS
Nine Podcasts has continued its powerful start to 2026, delivering 4.42 million monthly downloads – up 15% year-on-year – and 1.93 million listeners, a massive 22% jump on this time last year.
Podcast Highlights
Catch-up Radio: Ben Fordham Live remains a powerhouse, ranking 17th in the Australian Top 300 with over half a million downloads. Mornings with Tom Elliott followed with 143,000 downloads, while the newly rebranded Continuous Call Team feed exploded onto the scene with 70,000 downloads in its debut month.
Original Podcasts: The slate continues to resonate, with Motive and Method securing 78,000 downloads, Eddie and Jimmy recording 76,000, and Prime Time with Bec Wilson reaching 64,000.
Richard Stansbury, Podcast Content Director, said: “Nine Podcasts has executed a deliberate, high-impact content shift over the last six months, sharpening our focus on News, Business, and Sports. This strategy is paying off with year-on-year growth in both listeners and downloads surging. With new podcasts in the pipeline and major True Crime projects launching soon, the trajectory for our slate is incredibly promising.”
Nine and the National Basketball League (NBL) will join forces to become the home of free hoops from 2026, in a transformative partnership that brings the pre-eminent Australian men’s professional basketball league onto the current No.1 ranked network in the nation.
The two-year agreement will see two free-to-air NBL games available every week across the 9Network in a win for Aussie basketball fans.
A selection of marquee games will be broadcast on Channel 9, delivering premium live basketball to the widest possible audience.
The partnership builds on the NBL’s record-breaking growth across attendance, digital engagement and free-to-air audiences, further strengthening its position as Australia’s fastest growing sporting league.
Nine’s NBL coverage will sit alongside the WNBL, where top level Australian basketball joins the 9Network’s runway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where the Boomers and Opals will take on the world once again.
Broadcast Highlights for 2026/27 Season:
Two Marquee Games per week: Saturday evening, Live and Free on the 9Network and 9Now.
NBL Finals Series: See games live and free.
NBL Overtime: Weekly NBL show delivering analysis, highlights and exclusive access.
9Now Integration: A dedicated NBL hub featuring highlights, classic games, and catch-up content.
Wide World of Sports Coverage: Comprehensive news and editorial support across Nine’s digital and sports broadcast platforms.
Nine’s Director of Sport Brent Williams, said: “The NBL is without a doubt one of Australia’s most engaging and fastest growing sports competitions. The standard of the game has never been higher, passion from the fans has never been stronger and an innovative broadcast approach from all stakeholders makes this a perfect addition to Nine’s suite of sport assets. We are thrilled to be entering this partnership and excited about the opportunities that will come from having NBL content on Nine’s platforms.
NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said: “This is a significant moment for the NBL and for basketball fans right across Australia. Following a record-breaking season across attendance, digital and Free to Air audiences, this partnership with Nine is about building on that momentum and making our game more accessible than ever before.
“Having two games live and free every week is a major win for fans and a powerful platform to continue growing the game.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Nine, whose scale and storytelling capability will help bring the energy of the NBL to more homes, create new fans, and elevate the visibility of our clubs and players.”
The NBL 2026/2027 season schedule, including specific match-ups and broadcast times, will be released later this year.
STARTING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER FACING THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 28, AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
Brace yourself for a fresh wave of hilarity and eye-opening data as The Hundred with Andy Lee returns for its ninth season on Tuesday, April 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Each week host Andy Lee is joined by 100 everyday Aussies zooming into the studio from across the country. Carefully selected to represent the makeup of our vast nation, The Hundred continue to reveal hilarious and sometimes shocking truths about what Aussie’s really think.
Regular panellistsMike Goldstein and Sophie Monk return, joined this season by the crème de la crème of Aussie comedy. The stellar lineup includes Joel Creasey, Kate Langbroek, Pete Helliar, Denise Scott, Hamish Blake, Glenn Robbins and Dave Hughes, all in a battle to prove who knows Australia best.
In the premiere episode, onFace The Hundred, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enters the hot seat to test if the nation can actually recognise their leader. His appearance sets the stage for a parade of high-profilers throughout the season, including Cody Simpson, Janine Allis, Max Gawn and Samuel Johnson.
Also in this episode, Sophie Monk and Mike Goldstein are joined by everyone’s favourite Welsh funny man, Lloyd Langford. Together with the Prime Minister, the panel determine just how political we really are, while tackling the ethics of open-mouth chewers, big-date spenders, and whether it’s acceptable to break up with someone just before Christmas.
Fans can look forward to the return of other popular segments including Trial By A Hundred, This or That,Match ’Em, and Is That Legal? This season will also feature themed episodes celebrating all things business, crime and holidays, along with a special “fright night” edition.
No matter the topic, The Hundred with Andy Lee is ready to uncover the unfiltered truth of the Australian psyche, every Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The Hundred with Andy Lee is an original concept by Screentime Australia and Andy Lee, produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment company) in association with Channel 9.
The 2026 Nine Telethon has once again proven the power of community, raising an extraordinary total of $12,394,630 for Mater Little Miracles and soaring past the $10 million target.
The incredible generosity of Queenslanders shone through on Saturday night as thousands pledged their support to the critical care provided by Mater’s dedicated clinical teams. This year’s record-breaking fundraising total will further strengthen Mater’s position as a national leader in neonatal intensive care and maternal-fetal medicine, ensuring more little miracles have a fighting chance.
A significant portion of the money raised came from the telethon’s presenting partners, including the Queensland Government, Plantation Homes, The Lott by Golden Casket, University of Queensland and the Federal Government. Their support was instrumental in driving the total past the $10 million target.Adding a special emotional touch to the night, the Brisbane Broncos, NRL Dolphins and Brisbane Lions supported the cause by auctioning off football boots worn by Pat Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kafusi, Charlie Cameron and Jade Ellenger, each pair symbolically reflecting the size of the premature and seriously ill babies in Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU).
Broadcast live from Mater Mothers’ Hospital, the Nine Telethon was hosted by 9News Queensland’sMelissa Downes and Joel Dry, with Today’s Tim Davies and Today Extra’sSylvia Jeffreys hosting from the Call Centre at Channel 9 Brisbane’s Mt Coot-tha studio.
This year the phone-call panel featured a star lineup of familiar faces, including Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk, “The King” Wally Lewis, Wide World of Sports commentator and SHARK! celebirty Sam Thaiday, SHARK! celebrity Tammy Hambrow, KIIS 97.3 Breakfast announcer Corey Oates, Brisbane Bronco Billy Walters, and Married at First Sight fan favourites Stella and Filip. The panellists answered the phones to take donations from generous Queenslanders helping drive momentum to the final tally.
The day before the telethon, Sophie Monk visited the Mater hospital and met some of the tiny premature babies, and their families, receiving round-the-clock specialist care.
Donations flooded in throughout the night from generous Queenslanders digging deep, including an incredible $1 million donation from the Van Lieshout family.
Managing Director of Nine Queensland, Kylie Blucher, said: “The 2026 Nine Telethon has exceeded expectations. Surpassing our $10 million goal is truly incredible, and this record-breaking result is a powerful testament to the generosity and heart of Queenslanders.
“These vital, life-saving funds will directly support Mater Little Miracles in their critical work, ensuring the most vulnerable babies and their families receive the specialist care they desperately need to give them the best possible start to life.
“My deepest gratitude goes to the phenomenal team at Nine Queensland, from our on-air talent to our production crews whose tireless commitment made this wonderful night possible.”
Mater Foundation CEO, Andrew Thomas, said: “On behalf of the Mater Foundation, I want to thank the Queensland community for rallying behind our tiniest and most vulnerable patients with such compassion and generosity.
“We are deeply grateful to our presenting and community partners, and to Nine, for championing this cause and uniting Queenslanders in support of our clinicians and families.
“These vital funds will help ensure our specialist teams can continue delivering world‑leading care that not only gives tiny babies the best chance to survive and thrive, but also supports families through every step of what is often the most challenging time of their lives.”
Donations to the 2026 Nine Telethon in support of Mater Little Miracles can still be made at www.9telethon.com.au.
The Sydney Morning Herald will celebrate its 195th anniversary on Saturday, April 18, cementing its place as one of the oldest continuously printed metropolitan newspapers in the world.
On April 18, 1831, three men – Alfred Ward Stephens, Frederick Stokes, and William McGarvie – worked in a small office off George Street in a growing colony to print 750 copies of a four-page weekly called The Sydney Herald. The first edition rolled off the presses 70 years before Federation when Australia had a population of just 70,000 and King William IV was ruling the British Empire.
Nearly two centuries on, in a world awash with misinformation and AI generated fake news, The Sydney Morning Herald’s role of providing trusted, independent journalism has never been more vital. The Herald is now read by 7.6 million people across print and digital, and just as Sydney has evolved since 1831, so too has the Herald, with the masthead now financially driven by digital subscribers.
Re-named The Sydney Morning Herald shortly after John Fairfax bought the publication in 1841, its continuous print puts the masthead alongside titles like the UK’s The Guardian (1821), The Daily Telegraph (1855) and The Times (1785), and the New York Post (1801), The New York Times (1851) and Washington Post (1877) as one of the world’s oldest metro newspapers.
An eight-page souvenir insert in the Saturday edition will mark the incredible achievement, showing how the Herald has forged a lifelong trust with generations of Sydneysiders with its quality journalism and unique lens on reporting the life and times of the Emerald City.
Featuring a spread of powerful photographs from across the decades, the insert will illustrate how the Herald’s photographers have been documenting stories that have shaped Sydney since the early 1900s. Photography at the Herald began in 1908 and colour only came into use in the mid nineties.
There will also be numerous features and video content including well-known Australians revealing their Herald memories; the favourite stories from some of the masthead’s most-read journalists, and a longform feature detailing the rich history of the masthead.
The Herald’s reporters have borne witness to every heartbeat of Sydney. Its pages have carried the news of eight British monarchs; it was there in 1901 to record the birth of a nation at Federation; it stood on the shores of the harbour in 1932 as the Coathanger finally linked the city, a decade before a Japanese submarine brought WW2 directly to us; and it witnessed the 1973 opening of the Sydney Opera House.
It has captured the euphoria of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games; the heartbreak of the Granville train disaster; the Luna Park ghost train fire; the Lindt Cafe siege and more recently, the Bondi terrorist attack. And it has chronicled the rapid growth and diversity of Sydney’s population from a small colonial outpost to one of the world’s largest metropolitan urban sprawls.
Jordan Baker, Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, said: “The Herald is almost as old as Sydney itself. For 195 years, it has championed Sydney’s residents, helped shape its destiny, and chronicled its triumphs and tragedies. It has played a crucial role in holding the powerful accountable and fostering civil debate, which are essential to the health of Australia’s democracy. It is synonymous with credibility, integrity and balance.
“We are a modern newsroom that’s excited about our future and proud of our heritage. As we power towards our bicentenary, the world we report on will change and the way we deliver the news will evolve, but the essence of the Herald will remain.”
Luke McIlveen, Executive Editor, said: “The Sydney Morning Herald has been the voice of this city for 195 years, reporting on world wars, politics and natural disasters – but also the beautiful moments that make Sydney the envy of the world. We’re so proud to mark this occasion and pay tribute to the generations of incredible journalists who have made the Herald the benchmark of Australian publishing.”
The Sydney Morning Heraldwill mark its 195thanniversary with a souvenir insert on Saturday, April 18.
ELEVEN DEAD OR MISSING. IS THIS AUSTRALIA’S OUTBACK MURDER MAGNET?
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 AT 8.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
Australia’s ‘murder highway’ has been taking its deadly toll for decades, allowing killers to vanish their victims without a trace, until now. Outback Murder Highway is about to uncover the Flinders Highway’s darkest secrets when it premieres on Wednesday, April 22 at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
In four chilling episodes, Outback Murder Highway investigates some of the nation’s most haunting cold cases and asks one confronting question: why have so many people vanished along the same highway?
The Flinders Highway is a murderous stretch spanning 800km of unforgiving isolation between Townsville and Mount Isa. This long and lonely corridor is populated by hitchhikers, caravanners, truckies – and a serial killer, or perhaps more than one.
With no CCTV cameras, vast distances between towns, and Outback Queenslanders who prefer to keep their mouths shut, this rural highway is the perfect place to get away with murder . . . after murder . . . after murder.
Outback Murder Highway delves into decades of unsolved cases. It begins in the 1970s with the disappearance of teenage hitchhiker Anita Cunningham and the murder of Robin Hoinville-Bartram at Sensible Creek. It then examines the execution-style killings of three young travellers at Spear Creek in 1978, the baffling 1980s disappearance of backpacker Tony Jones, and the 2017 vanishing of Jayden Penno-Tompsett.
A dedicated team of experts are determined to uncover the truth. Leading the investigations are Dr Louise Steding, a forensic archaeologist and criminologist, whose work on locating human remains has helped crack some of Australia’s toughest cases. Investigative journalist and crime podcaster Amelia Oberhardt, has a reputation for reopening cold cases and uncovering overlooked evidence. And FBI-trained criminal analyst Dr Mike King, an expert in geographic profiling and murderous highways around the world.
These unsolved crimes have left behind desperate families who have dedicated their lives to finding closure, enduring years of failed investigations and unanswered questions. Our three experts are determined to succeed where previous efforts faltered, applying modern forensic and analytical techniques to cases long thought unsolvable.Outback Murder Highway combines cutting-edge forensic science, criminal profiling and powerful personal stories to shine a light on some of Australia’s most unsettling mysteries. Is this highway a single killer’s hunting ground, or a deadly convergence of opportunity, isolation and chance? And most importantly will these cases ever be solved?
Find out when Outback Murder Highway hits our screens on Wednesday, April 22, at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Plus, from April 23, Motive & Method by 9Podcasts is releasing special episodes on the cases investigated in Outback Murder Highway.
In each episode renowned criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro and the country’s top forensic criminologist, Dr Xanthe Weston, are joined by Amelia Oberhardt to dissect the history of these cases and the new developments revealed in the documentary series, including extended interviews and never-before-heard details.
Outback Murder Highway is produced by Ronde Media for the 9Network. Executive Producers are Jo Towsend and Ben Davies.
OUTBACK MURDER HIGHWAY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 AT 8.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
LISTEN TO THE MOTIVE & METHOD OUTBACK MURDER HIGHWAY SPECIAL PODCAST FROM APRIL 23 WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS
Australia’s No.1 Entertainment Program Up 5.9% year-on-year across Total TV Reach Up 5.0% year-on-year across Total TV Audience Up 34.5% year-on-year across BVOD Audience Over 4.8 BILLION minutes watched on 9Now
The 2026 season of Married at First Sight has officially concluded its most successful run of the social experiment in VOZ history, cementing its status as the undisputed powerhouse of Australian television.
Over the course of 11 high-octane weeks, the 13th series reached a staggering 16.0 million people nationally across Total TV, up 5.9% on last year. By dominating every night of its broadcast, the program didn’t just win its timeslot; it rewrote the record books for digital engagement and audience retention in an evolving media landscape.
Throughout the 2026 season, MAFS maintained a massive Total TV National Average Audience of 2.76 million viewers per episode, and is still growing, up 5.0% year-on-year. Across the demos, the series also recorded growth with People 25-54 (+6.8%), People 16-39 (+6.7%) and GS18+ (+7.0%).
The cultural impact of the series was most evident during the viral Dinner Parties and Commitment Ceremonies, with the episode on Sunday, March 1, 2026 delivering its highest-ever episode in VOZ history across Total TV Audience with an overnight audience of 2.118 million viewers.
The series also excelled across the markets, delivering significant year-on-year growth across Total TV Average Audience:
MAFS remains Australia’s No.1 entertainment program across Total TV and BVOD, including the 5 City Metro, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Regional.
The 2026 season also signalled a landmark shift in viewing habits, with the series significantly growing its streaming audiences on 9Now by 34.5% year-on-year across Total People, 26.2% with People 25-54, 18.3% with People 16-39 and 35.8% with GS18+. Furthermore, the episodes on February 18 and February 25 each claimed 743,000 viewers on 9Now – the highest-ever overnight BVOD figures recorded for the series in VOZ history.
This digital surge provided a massive year-on-year growth in BVOD Reach averaging 7.6 million viewers (up 45.4% on last year) with over 4.8 billion minutes watched on 9Now, proving that the MAFS brand is more platform-agnostic and future-proof than ever before, with the show’s ability to drive massive social media conversation translating directly into record-breaking digital traffic.
The year-on-year BVOD Audience growth was significant across all markets:
On Stan, the new and exclusive Original MAFS: After The Dinner Party dominated the platform, becoming the ultimate destination for the most candid, unfiltered, and unseen explosive content, hosted by Jules Lund, Brittany Hockley, and Laura Byrne.
An immediate success, MAFS: After The Dinner Party has been the number one series on platform since launch, and the first episode was Stan’s highest ever single episode subscription driver in a 24-hour period. The dramatic final episode in the series, titled MAFS: After The Experiment, will premiere this Monday April 20, from 2pm AEST, only on Stan.
Hamish Turner, Executive Director 9Network and 9Now, said: “The 2026 season of Married at First Sight has once again proven that it is more than just a television show; it is a cross-platform phenomenon. From record-breaking streaming numbers on 9Now to the cultural conversations dominating social media and the Australian media landscape.
“MAFS captures the evolving heartbeat of our nation, challenging us with defining questions about love, honesty, and human connection. Australians were again deeply invested in these real-world journeys.
“However, this season was also marked by a profound sense of loss as we honour Mel Schilling. Mel was a force of nature and a cornerstone of this experiment for over a decade. Her passion for empowering others shaped the very DNA of the show. While we mourn her passing, we celebrate the incredible legacy she leaves behind.”
On the back of this record-breaking season, the 9Network has cemented its national leadership, outperforming all commercial competitors to claim the top spot across Total TV in every major demographic year-to-date:
Furthermore, the MAFS effect has solidified 9Now’s position as Australia’s undisputed No.1 CFTA BVOD platform, sweeping every key demographic and Total People nationwide:
FIVE-YEAR DEAL DELIVERS BIGGEST FREE-TO-AIR FOOTPRINT IN NETBALL HISTORY
Nine Group has announced a new five-year partnership with Netball Australia, securing all broadcast and streaming rights to Suncorp Super Netball, all Australian Diamonds matches and the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027, from 1 January 2027.
The agreement further strengthens the Group’s position as the home of Australia’s biggest participation sports and reinforces the Group’s continued investment in women’s sport.
The partnership adds one of the country’s most played and most loved sports to a growing portfolio spanning rugby league, rugby union, football, basketball and tennis – the games Australians grow up with, follow passionately and pass through generations.
The agreement comes as audience demand, attendance and commercial investment in women’s sport continue to gather momentum in Australia and globally.
Nine Group Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast, Amanda Laing said: “We’re building a portfolio around the sports Australians care most deeply about, and netball belongs in that company. It is woven through schools, suburbs and regional towns across the country, with passionate fans and strong community roots.
“For viewers, this means more access, broader reach and premium coverage across 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport – from Suncorp Super Netball through to every Diamonds match and a home World Cup in 2027.
“We believe women’s sport is one of the strongest growth stories in media, and this partnership is another important step in our commitment to back it with real platforms, real visibility and real ambition.
“We’re looking forward to helping grow the game and bringing more Australians closer to it than ever before.”
Under the new agreement, fans will be able to watch matches live on 9Now and Stan Sport, with a significant slate of premium coverage also available free-to-air across the 9Network, including some Super Netball matches each round, all Finals Series matches, all Diamonds internationals, and key matches from the Netball World Cup 2027, including Diamonds matches, the semi-finals and final.
This broadcast deal creates a bigger platform for the sport, its athletes and commercial partners as netball enters a defining growth phase.
Netball Australia Chair Liz Ellis AO said: “There is tremendous synergy between our vision to showcase an Australia that is Made in Netball and Nine’s corporate vision that Australia Belongs Here. Nine has leveraged the opportunity to make a real and meaningful investment into netball when the competition for women’s sport is intensifying. We are so excited about the future ahead and what this partnership can deliver for the entire ecosystem.”
Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said: “Nine was the foundation broadcaster of the Suncorp Super Netball League ten years ago and it’s wonderful for us to partner once again to showcase the best netballers in the world, playing in the world’s best netball league. We have heard consistently from our fans that they want to see more netball content.
“This sport matters to fans right across our country and for them to be able to watch it together and celebrate their heroes is what creates the magic moments that deepen connections with our game. On behalf of Netball Australia, we thank Nine for their belief and trust in us and we look forward to delivering strong business outcomes for each other.”
This also positions Nine as a leading destination for women’s sport, with the Group’s rights portfolio already including the recently announced WTA Tour, NRLW, WNBL, WSL, women’s rugby including Super W, swimming and athletics – showcasing some of the world’s best female athletes.
The agreement adds Netball to one of Australia’s strongest live sport portfolios across the Group, spanning the NRL, State of Origin, Wallabies and Super Rugby, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, premium year-round Grand Slam tennis, the Olympic Games, and a growing suite of women’s sport.
This is the latest step in Nine’s strategy to build Australia’s leading Sport and Entertainment company. Further coverage details and broadcast schedules will be announced closer to commencement.
Thursday 16 April, 2026
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