Archives: Media Releases

The Sydney Morning Herald will celebrate its 195^th 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 195^thanniversary with a souvenir insert on Saturday, April 18.

Thursday 16 April, 2026

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

Thursday 16 April, 2026

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:

Thursday 16 April, 2026

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

IN SUPPORT OF MATER LITTLE MIRACLES

BIRDS OF TOKYO AND PUB CHOIR 
ADD THEIR VOICE TO FUNDRAISING

The final countdown is on for the 2026 Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles, live from 5.00pm this Saturday, April 18, on Channel 9 and 9Now.

The broadcast supports Mater, Australia’s leader in neonatal critical care and maternal foetal medicine, by raising funds for life-saving research, care, and equipment for seriously ill and premature babies and their mothers, helping to give these tiny Queenslanders the best possible start in life.

Last Wednesday night the Nine Telethon Concert returned with a Pub Choir performance and a sold-out crowd at the Fortitude Music Hall that brought the community together to raise funds.

Pub Choir founder Astrid Jorgensen led concert-goers in a melodic rendition of Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo before the ARIA Award-winning band made their surprise appearance performing their hit song with more than 2,000 Pub Choir singers. The band followed up with an electric set featuring their biggest songs.

“Pub Choir is all about community connections and making art with each other, so coming together for a cause like the Nine Telethon is perfect,” Astrid said.

Managing Director of Nine Queensland, Kylie Blucher, said: “The 2026 Nine Telethon Concert was a fantastic success, with a sold-out crowd for a fun night of song. It’s moments like this, where our community unites for a shared cause, that make the Nine Telethon such a special event every year.”

This year’s Nine Telethon viewers will see and maybe even speak to some familiar faces as they call to donate. On the phone panel Sophie Monk, Wally Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Tammy Hembrow and Corey Oates, amongst many more, will be helping take donations, raising funds to help our tiniest Queenslanders.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said the money raised at the concert would go towards research, equipment and care for more than 1,700 premature and critically ill newborns, who require specialist, round-the-clock care at Mater each year.

This year the Nine Telethon aims to raise $10 million.

“Every dollar will make a difference to sick and premature babies and their families through improved care and groundbreaking medical research,” Mr Thomas said.

“Lives are saved and changed forever every day at Mater, which is why we’re excited to welcome the community back into our hospitals for this year’s Nine Telethon.

“It will be an emotional watch for viewers, and one that will both amaze and inspire Queenslanders.”

If you missed the Nine Telethon Concert, get your vocal chords ready as all the best moments will be featured during the Nine Telethon broadcast on Saturday night from 5.00pm.

DONATE: You can support Queensland’s littlest lives by making a donation at www.9telethon.com.au.

#9telethon
#materlittlemiracles
Follow @9NewsQueensland on Instagram and Facebook
Follow and @MaterQld on Instagram and Facebook 

Wednesday 15 April, 2026

THE INSIDE STORY OF THE RECKONING 
OF ANDREW MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15,  AT 8.40PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

The 9Network presents Andrew: The Downfall of a Prince, at 8.40pm Wednesday, April 15, on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

This hour-long special reviews the life of the once royal favourite Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and provides a comprehensive deep dive into the events leading to his sensational recent arrest.

Told through the firsthand accounts of those who worked alongside him, as well as journalists and legal experts who have tracked his career for decades, the program examines the 2026 release of the “Epstein Files” and what it has revealed about allegations of Mountbatten-Windsor’s misconduct in public office during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.

Key highlights include:

• The Chain of Command: Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former flight commander in the Falklands War, discusses Andrew’s time on board with him as a junior pilot and observes that he saw himself as a prince before he was a naval officer.
• A Military Past: Tom Arnull, a Falklands veteran, offers a look at Andrew’s early military career and his service as a pilot on the same squadron during the 1982 Falklands conflict.
• Trade Diplomacy: Author Catherine Mayer, the only reporter to accompany Andrew on an entire trade mission, reflects on the suitability of his appointment to a diplomatic role.
• Inside the Bubble: Simon Wilson, a former Foreign Office diplomat, shares his experiences with Andrew in Bahrain in the early 2000s, noting the extraordinary behaviour that led staff to coin the nickname “His Buffoon Highness”.
• The Paparazzo Proof: Journalist Annette Witheridge details her 2010 stakeout in New York that resulted in the first photographic evidence of Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
• A Rare Charge: Former Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal outlines the complexities of the “misconduct in public office” charge and the significance of a prosecution involving a member of the royal family.
• Expert Analysis: Veteran royal reporters Richard Kay and Ingrid Seward trace Andrew’s trajectory from his public peak following the Falklands War to his disgrace, legal battles, and exile from the royal family.

Witness history in review when Andrew: The Downfall of a Prince premieres Wednesday, April 15, at 8.40pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Producers: Tracey Hannaford and Alex Chance
Editor: Sonia Serrao

Monday 13 April, 2026

SPECIAL SNEAK PEEK AVAILABLE ON 9NOW
FULL ACCESS EPISODES DROP EVERY FRIDAY FROM FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Ditch the oat flat white and cancel your pilates session: 9Now has officially joined the FLEX movement, dropping full access episodes of Australia’s first micro-reality series weekly from Friday, April 24. 

FLEX is the ultimate, zero-filter masterclass in surviving Sydney’s most affluent areas, following the lives of seven young, good-looking strivers navigating the “fake it till you make it” reality of Bondi and its high-life coastal surrounds. 

In a world where the party-girl lifestyle has traded places with pre-dawn fitness culture, FLEX pulls back the curtain on the gruelling hustle required to stay hot, stay relevant, and stay in the game. In this modern environment, your abs are your CV and your community is your competition. 

Meet the Strivers:

• MARCUS (30): A former British Army soldier who survived a near-fatal attack, Marcus is now Australia’s highest-paid male escort, trapped by a paycheck he can’t walk away from.
• SARAH (33): A former gymnast, pushing her body to breaking point to find “the big break”. She is intensely driven and adventurous and currently navigating life after getting out of a six-year open relationship.
• HENRY (27): A loveable British larrikin, Henry models himself on superheroes, but often leaves the house in mismatched socks. Founder of the Bondi Softies, a Tuesday sand run, he is determined to become the fastest man on soft sand. 
• RYAN (30): From playing junior football for the Sydney Roosters to chasing bobsledding in Canada, this former apprentice heavy diesel mechanic is now a PT and online coach, rebounding from a failed $25,000 skincare business venture. 
• WILLOW (24): A self-described “gym addict” and unfiltered truth-teller who transformed her life with a 20kg weight loss, and is now attempting to scale her coaching business into a global brand. 
• MARIA (27): Brazilian-born Maria traded a life of privilege for the high-energy grind of Bondi. She recently ditched her 9-to-5 and is facing a reality check: no job and an expensive lifestyle to fund. The plan? Turn her art hobby into a career. 
• BEN (22): Fresh from the UK, Ben is trading his elite rugby dreams for Bondi’s smoothie scene. Hoping to start a business that merges fitness with partying, he is confident that making connections in the Eastern Suburbs will help bring this to life. 

FLEX is a social-first vertical series, with 1-2 minute daily micro-episodes dropping with zero filters on Instagram and TikTok (@FLEX_the_series). However, the full story unfolds on 9Now, where 22-25 minute weekly episodes capture the setbacks, the aspirations and the unfiltered reality of a place where the hustle never sleeps. 

Because for every aspiration there’s a setback – and in Bondi, the price of the climb is usually more than your rent. 

FLEX is produced by Ronde Media.

FLEX
WEEKLY EPISODES FROM FRIDAY, APRIL 24 ON 9NOW

Monday 13 April, 2026

NEW SERIES CONTINUES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15,
AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

Witness like never before the defining moments that shaped our nation and rocked its people to their core, when the groundbreaking new series Events That Changed Australia continues, Wednesday, April 15, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now, with the story of disastrous Black Saturday.

Black Saturday was a terrible turning point in Australian history. On February 7, 2009, Victoria endured its darkest day when bushfires swept across the state, creating uncontrollable infernos. With the death of 173 people, Black Saturday became our biggest ever peacetime loss of life. The disaster led to a Royal Commission that investigated how it unfolded, and ordered the abolition of the controversial “Stay or Go” policy, forever changing the way Australians prepare for and respond to fires in our ever-hotter summers.

This compelling event series takes an in-depth look at the pivotal moments in Australia’s history, from those who were right there. Through the combined power of never-before-seen archival footage and candid interviews, Events That Changed Australia delves into critical turning points, from defining moments and natural disasters to periods of social upheaval, to explore not just the facts but the fundamental, lasting changes these events have made to Australia and its people.

This powerful series features a diverse collection of trusted voices and accounts from eyewitnesses, including trusted presenters Ally Langdon, Ben Fordham, Leila McKinnon, Tom Steinfort, Alicia Loxley, Jayne Azzopardi and Brett McLeod, alongside first responders, survivors, and community leaders who were present as unfolded. 

Throughout the series, Events That Changed Australia will continue to explore landmark chapters in our history, including episodes on the Bali Bombings, the Lindt Cafe Siege, The Birth of the Bogan, the Unstoppable force of Women’s Sport, Ganglands and The Real Underbelly, and the revolutionary impact of World Series Cricket. 

Events That Changed Australia is produced by Ronde Media for the 9Network.

EVENTS THAT CHANGED AUSTRALIA
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

Follow @Channel9 on
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X
Stream for free on 9Now

Monday 13 April, 2026

The 9Network today announced that 9Now will bolster its live content offering with the addition of the BBC News channel.

This expansion of live content, through a long-standing partnership with BBC Studios, provides Australian audiences with 24-hour access on 9Now to one of the world’s most trusted news brands.

Positioned prominently within the 9Now lineup, BBC News will be easily accessible for viewers seeking high-utility, around-the-clock news content.

BBC News joins 9Now’s existing portfolio of BBC FAST channels: BBC Comedy, BBC Food, BBC Home & Garden, Top Gear and Antiques Roadshow.

Nine’s Director of 9Now and Programming, Hamish Turner said: “9Now is strengthening its commitment to trusted journalism. The addition of BBC News complements our 9News lineup, delivering a deeper global perspective. At a time when misinformation is prevalent, we are proud to provide Australians with a 24-hour window into the world’s most important stories.”

Robi Stanton, President of APAC Media & Streaming, BBC Studios said: “We’re pleased to grow our FAST channel offering with Nine. Alongside the existing suite of BBC entertainment and factual channels already on 9Now, the launch of BBC News marks an exciting step forward in delivering additional BBC content, and trusted journalism, to even more Australians.”

Featured Channel: 

• BBC News – The BBC News channel is the home to the BBC’s world-class, trusted journalism and 24-7 news coverage for audiences in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, featuring breaking news, in-depth analysis and up-to-the-minute reporting of the world’s biggest moments. Anchored out of the U.K, U.S. and Singapore and with correspondents around the globe, BBC News programs include World News America, Newsnight, Business Today, NYSE – Opening Bell and The Travel Show.
• BBC News is now available to stream live on 9Now.

Thursday 9 April, 2026

81 CONTESTANTS. ONE GIANT ARENA. $200,000 ON THE LINE

After becoming Australia’s number one new show of 2025 and delivering the biggest debut in VOZ history*, the hit trivia phenomenon The Floor is returning to the 9Network. 

Bigger, bolder and more ruthless, the high-stakes showdown premieres Sunday, April 19, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Hosted by Rodger Corser, a new group of 81 Australians from every corner of the country and all walks of life will step onto the giant interactive LED arena, each defending their specialist subject while battling their neighbours during intense trivia duels for control of The Floor. 

Their mission? Win duels to conquer tiles and claim the entire arena. Only one contestant will walk away with the life-changing $200,000 grand prize.

This season, the stakes reach a whole new dimension with a high-voltage battle of the generations. From seasoned trivia titans to the ‘skibidi’ energy of Gen Z, the arena becomes the ultimate testing ground for every age group.

The gameplay is more unpredictable than ever, with strategic twists designed to reward the bold: the returning Time Boost provides a vital lifeline during duels, while The Freeze allows contestants to lock their territory, shield themselves from the chasing pack and fast-track their place in the Grand Finale.

Among the 81 contestants are several familiar Australians. Olympic Gold Medallist Steven Bradbury knows a thing or two about dramatic finishes, but can lightning strike twice on The Floor? Celebrity chef Hayden Quinn swaps the kitchen for the arena, while Travel Guides star Kevin Moloney trades five-star luxury for high-stakes trivia. And with over a million followers watching his every move, will Love Island Australia’s viral “Egg Man” Tommy Armour crack under the pressure?”

More than just a competition, The Floor is the ultimate family game night. With a massive range of categories, viewers can test their own trivia knowledge and play along from home, racing to beat the contestants on the dazzling LED arena.

Host Rodger Corser said: “I can’t wait for Australia to be immersed in all the drama, suspense and fun of The Floor season two. Super fun new categories combined with a new level of gameplay, strategy and competitiveness will make for plenty of jaw-dropping and hilarious moments.

“So grab your friends and family, park yourself in front of the telly, and see who’s the best in your lounge room in 2026.”

Who has what it takes to come out on top?
Find out when The Floor returns: Sunday, April 19, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now and continues Monday at 7.30PM

Wednesday 8 April, 2026