Archives: Media Releases

The Demon and the Djoker are ready to face off on Rod Laver Arena tonight, where they’ll light up the night session on Day 8 of the 2023 Australian Open, live and free on Channel 9HD, from 7.00pm.

Australia’s sole remaining hope in the singles draw, Alex de Minaur, gets his shot at taking down a Goliath of world tennis in nine-time Australian Open champion and Men’s Singles favourite, Novak Djokovic.

De Minaur will need to draw on every ounce of home support as the 23-year-old, currently ranked No.24 in the world, looks to make the Australian Open finals for the first time in his career.

Djokovic has been nursing a hamstring injury but history suggests it would be foolish to write off the Serbian, who has one eye on his 22nd Grand Slam victory where he’d join Rafael Nadal at the top of the all time list.

Also featuring today is the top ten ranked fourth round match-up between Andrey Rublev (No.5) and Holger Rune (No.9) will feature in the day session with a quarter finals berth on the line.

While the race for the Women’s singles title has been blown wide open and the challengers will be circling the 2023 title in the day session from 11.00am on Channel 9HD.

First up is Arnya Sabalenka (No.5) against Swizerland’s Belinda Bencic (No.12), before world No.4 Carolina Garcia of France looks to book her spot in the finals.

On Channel 9HD, the coverage is hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while over on 9Gem is Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello.

In commentary is Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

9Now has every match, every court available on device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

DAY SESSION
Starts 11.00am AEDT
ARYNA SABALENKA [5] v BELINDA BENCIC (SUI) [12]
CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA) [4] v MAGDA LINETTE (POL)
ANDREY RUBLEV [5] v HOLGER RUNE (DEN) [9]
DONNA VEKIC (CRO) v LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA (CZE) ON 9GEM
BEN SHELTON (USA) v J J WOLF (USA) ON 9GEM
ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT (ESP) [24] v TOMMY PAUL (USA) ON 9GEM

NIGHT SESSION
Starts 7.00pm AEDT
ALEX DE MINAUR (AUS) [22] v NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SER) [4]
HUNTER (AUS) /MERTENS (BEL) v GOLUBIC (SUI) / NICULESCU (ROU)

Monday, January 23, 2023

Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Coco Gauff and Felix Auger-Aliassimeare all in action on day five of the 2023 Australian Open with live and free coverage on Channel 9HD, 9GemHD, plus every match, every court is available to stream on 9Now. 

In the night session from 7.00pm, 2022 men’s finalist and Djokovic’s main title challenger Daniil Medvedev takes to the court against rising star Sebastian Korda of the USA. Korda is out to pull off an upset and emulate his father Petr, who was the 1998 Australian Open Men’s champion. 

Tonight’s third round session also pits Karen Khachanov against crowd pleasing American Frances Tiafoe. 

Greek powerhouse Stefanos Tsitsipas highlights the day session against his next assignment, Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands. While No. 6 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime comes up against Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo. 

Aussies Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell begin their doubles campaign, and in the women’s event, it’s a USA showdown between No. 7 seed and 2022 French Open finalist Coco Gauff and Bernarda Pera. 

On Channel 9HD, the coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem, Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host Nine’s broadcast.

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, Channel 9HD and 9GemHD will have the best matches and biggest moments live and free across 276 hours of tennis coverage.

9Now will provide every point of every match, at any time on the device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

DAY SESSION
Starts 11.00am AEDT
JANNIK SINNER (ITA) [15] v MARTON FUCSOVICS (HUN)
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE) [3] v TALLON GRIEKSPOOR (NED)
COCO GAUFF (USA) [7] v BERNARDA PERA (USA)
PURCELL / THOMPSON (AUS) v DURAN (ARG) / OSWALD (AUT)
JESSICA PEGULA (USA) [3] v MARTA KOSTYUK (UKR)
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME (CAN) [6] v FRANCISCO CERUNDOLO (ARG) [28]

NIGHT SESSION
Starts 7.00pm AEDT
KAREN KHACHANOV [18] v FRANCES TAIFOE (USA) [16] 
DANIIL MEDVEDEV [7] v SEBASTIAN KORDA (USA) [29]
HUBERT HURKACZ (POL) [10] v DENIS SHAPOVALOV (CAN) [20]
MARIA SAKKARI (GRE) [6] v LIN ZHU (CHN)

Friday, January 20, 2023

Alex De Minaur, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis are ready to roll again on day four of the 2023 Australian Open with live and free coverage on Channel 9HD, 9GemHD and to stream on 9Now. 

In the night session from 7.00pm, it’s an Aussie double-header with Alex De Minaur facing France’s Adrian Mannarino, before Thanasi Kokkinakis goes up against three-time Grand Slam champion, Great Britain’s Andy Murray. 

Nine-time Australian Open men’s champion and red hot men’s singles favourite Novak Djokovic meets France’s Enzo Couacaud in his second round match. 

Highlighting the day session, Aussie Alexei Popyrin will go head-to-head against No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz of the USA. 

The doubles events get underway from today with Aussie and four-time Grand Slam women’s double champion Sam Stosur partnering with France’s Alize Cornet in their first round match. 

On Channel 9HD, the coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem, Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host Nine’s broadcast.

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, Channel 9HD and 9GemHD will have the best matches and biggest moments live and free across 276 hours of tennis coverage.

9Now will provide every point of every match, at any time on the device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

DAY SESSION
Starts 11.00am AEDT
ARYNA SABALENKA [5] v SHELBY ROGERS (USA)
CASPER RUUD (NOR) [2] v JENSON BROOKSBY (USA)
ALEXEI POPYRIN (AUS) v TAYLOR FRITZ (USA) [8]
STOSUR (AUS) / CORNET (FRA) v CHAN (TPE) / YANG (CHN)
ANDREY RUBLEV [5] v EMIL RUUSUVUORI (FIN)
KIMBERLY BIRRELL (AUS) v LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA (CZE)

NIGHT SESSION
Starts 7.00pm AEDT
ALEX DE MINAUR (AUS) [22] v ADRIAN MANNARINO (FRA)
THANASI KOKKINAKIS (AUS) v ANDY MURRAY (GBR) 
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) [4] v ENZO COUACAUD (FRA)
ONS JABEUR (TUN) [2] v MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE)

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Patrick Elligett has been appointed Editor of The Age, it was announced today.

Elligett has been news director for The Age since 2020, and previous to that was World editor. Prior to joining The Age, he was editor of the New Daily.

Executive Editor of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Tory Maguire, said Elligett – who will begin his role on January 30 – is a leader who is naturally consultative and inclusive. 

“It was an incredibly competitive field of candidates for this role, and Patrick laid out a highly strategic, clear-eyed and bold plan for growing The Age’s audience and subscriber base while also boosting the masthead’s role in leading the big conversations in Melbourne, Victoria and the nation,” said Maguire.

“The Age is in good hands. Patrick demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of reader trends and the challenges it presents. I’m very confident that his plan is the right one to steer The Age through the next few years of economic uncertainty, shifting habits and demographic change.”

Elligett’s journalistic career has seen him edit large and small regional publications and report for digital, print and broadcast media in Australia and overseas.

“It is an incredible honour to be entrusted with the leadership of such a significant institution,” said Elligett. 

“Victorians look to The Age to provide responsible, fearless and rigorous journalism and that role is more important now than ever. I look forward to upholding The Age‘s fine journalistic traditions and finding new ways to connect with Victorians on the issues they care about most.

“I would also like to thank Gay Alcorn for her intelligent, determined leadership and profound contribution to the journalism of The Age during the past three years.”

Elligett replaces Gay Alcorn, who stepped down in December to take care of her unwell husband.   

“I would like to give a special thanks to Michael Bachelard and Mat Dunckley who have acted as editor and deputy editor for many months now with amazing commitment and good will,” said Maguire. 

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Day three of the 2023 Australian Open begins with exclusive coverage from 10.00am AEDT on Nine. 

Up first on court is No.1 women’s singles Iga Swiatek up against Camila Osorio. 

Thanasi Kokkinakis will resume his first round match, where he currently stands two sets up, against the Italian veteran Fabio Fognini. 

Rafael Nadal, defending Australian Open men’s champion and all-time winner of most Grand Slam titles will headline the day’s session against USA’s Mackenzie McDonald. 

Rounding out the day session, Aussies Jason Kubler faces Karen Khachanov, and in the women’s singles Olivia Gadecki faces Marta Kostyuk in their second round matches. 

Tonight from 7.00pm, it’s an Aussie feast of action. After his five-set first round thriller, John Millman will go head-to-head against world no. 7 Daniil Medvedev.

Rinky Hijikata who came back from two sets down in his first round match to claim victory will face Greek powerhouse Stefano Tsitsipas. 

On Channel 9HD, the coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem, Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host Nine’s broadcast.

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, Channel 9HD and 9GemHD will have the best matches and biggest moments live and free across 276 hours of tennis coverage.

9Now will provide every point of every match, at any time on the device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

DAY SESSION
Starts 11.00am AEDT
IGA SWIATEK (POL) [1] v CAMILA OSORIO (COL) 
THANASI KOKKINAKIS (AUS) v FABIO FOGNINI (ITA)
JESSICA PEGULA (USA) [3] v ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH 
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP) [1] v MACKENZIE MCDONALD (USA)
JASON KUBLER (AUS) v KAREN KHACHANOV 
MARIA SAKKARI (GRE) [6] v DIANA SHNAIDER 
ALEKSANDER VUKIC (AUS)  v BRANDON HOLT (USA) 
OLIVIA GADECKI (AUS) v MARTA KOSTYUK (UKR)

NIGHT SESSION
Starts 7.00pm AEDT
JOHN MILLMAN (AUS) v DANIIL MEDVEDEV [7]
RINKY HIJIKATA (AUS) v STEFANO TSITSIPAS (GRE) [3]
COCO GAUFF (USA) [7] v EMMA RADUCANU (GBR)
DANIELLE COLLINS (USA) [13] v KAROLINA MUCHOVA (CZE)

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Day two of the 2023 Australian Open begins with on court action from 11.00am AEDT on Nine.

The Aussies are out in full force today, with Kimberly Birrell kicking off the day, followed by Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin in their first round matches before Thanasi Kokkinakis goes up against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini to round out the day session. 

Lighting up the night session from 7.00pm, Alex De Minaur goes head-to-head against Taiwan’s Yu Hsiou Hsu. 

Novak Djokovic, nine-time Australian Open men’s champion making his return to Melbourne Park, headlines the night session against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain. 

On Channel 9HD, the coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem, Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host Nine’s broadcast.

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, Channel 9HD and 9GemHD will have the best matches and biggest moments live and free across 276 hours of tennis coverage.

9Now will provide every point of every match, at any time on the device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

DAY SESSION
Starts 11.00am AEDT
KIMBERLY BIRRELL (AUS) v KAIA KANEPI (EST) [31]
JORDAN THOMPSON (AUS) v J.J. WOLF (USA)
ALEXEI POPYRIN (AUS) v CHUN-HSIN TSENG (TPE)
THANASI KOKKINAKIS (AUS) v FABIO FOGNINI (ITA)
ANDREY RUBLEV [5] v DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)
HOLGER RUNE (DEN) [9] v FILIP KRAJINOVIC (SRB)

NIGHT SESSION
Starts 7.00pm AEDT
ALEX DE MINAUR (AUS) [22] v YU HSIOU HSU (TPE)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) [4] v ROBERTO CARBALLES BAENA (ESP)
ONS JABEUR (TUN) [2] v TAMARA ZIDANSEK (SLO)
CASPER RUUD (NOR) [2] v TOMAS MACHAC (CZE)

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

One of Australia’s most experienced Ad tech and digital executives, Esther Carlsen, has been appointed as Nine’s Commercial Director – Digital Audio, with a focus on the growth of Nine’s digital audio streaming business.

Reporting to Ashley Earnshaw, Director of Sales – Total Audio, Carlsen will be responsible for Nine’s digital audio strategy, building the digital capability of Nine’s Total audio team and leading the digital audio conversation with major agencies and clients.

She will work alongside Ben Campbell (Director – Advertising and Data Products) and Jordan King (Director – Programmatic and Digital Sales) to ensure that Nine has the most advanced streaming, digital and data products and the most advanced programmatic audio offering in the market, with her role a critical part of Nine’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE).

Her role will see her take leadership on strategic initiatives such as the evolution of measurement and Total audio trading.

Having worked in the digital markets for over two decades – including 10 years in programmatic – Carlsen has held numerous senior leadership positions with publishers, in data, global agency groups and independent agency businesses. She was most recently General Manager of Bench Media, a leading, independent programmatic marketing provider in Australia.

“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Esther home to Nine,” said Michael Stephenson, Nine’s Chief Sales Officer. “As consumers increasingly consume our live and local content via connected devices and our 1st party data asset continues to grow, the opportunities for brands are going to be massive. Esther has an open brief to define the future of Total audio.”

Beginning her career in ad sales at ninemsn, Carlsen has held roles including as Managing Director of Acxiom and LiveRamp, and was Managing Director of global programmatic media and technology platform Xaxis.   

Her appointment comes a day after Nine announced Nick Young will join as Commercial Director – Digital, working alongside Richard Hunwick (Director of Sales – Total Television), Jo Clasby (Director of Sales – Total Publishing) and Ashley Earnshaw (Director of Sales – Total Audio), giving Nine the most senior commercial firepower in Australian media.

“Given the strength of Nine’s radio assets and their digital footprint, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the team at this time,” said Carlsen. “With digital transformation well and truly underway for the radio industry, the growth opportunities for the business as we start to harness the power of programmatic are endless. I’m looking forward to joining Nine’s impressive team and can’t wait to get started.” 

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

The 2023 Australian Open will burst to life today when the world’s best tennis players begin their Grand Slam campaigns with exclusive coverage from 10.00am AEDT on Nine.

Rafael Nadal, defending Australian Open men’s champion and all-time winner of most Grand Slam titles (22), headlines the day session against Jack Draper of Great Britain.

Lighting up the night session will be women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 3). 

On Channel 9, the coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem, Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host Nine’s broadcast.

Commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

Additional off-court reporting will come from Alicia Loxley, Matthew Pavlich, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

From today until Sunday, January 29, Channel 9HD and 9GemHD will have the best matches and biggest moments live and free across 276 hours of tennis coverage.

9Now will provide every point of every match, at any time on the device of your choosing, in full HD, with the new start-over button allowing fans to watch from the start of each session.

TODAY ON CHANNEL 9HD AND 9GemHD

DAY SESSION
Begins 11.00am AEDT
COCO GAUFF (USA) [7] v KATERINA SINIAKOVA (CZE) 
FRANCES TIAFOE (USA) [16] v DANIEL ALTMAIER (GER)
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP) [1] v JACK DRAPER (GBR)
JASON KUBLER (AUS) v SEBASTIAN BAEZ (ARG) 
JANNIK SINNER (ITA) [15] v KYLE EDMUND (GBR) 
TALIA GIBSON (AUS) v CLARA BUREL (FRA) 

NIGHT SESSION
Begins 7.00pm AEDT
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE) [3] v QUENTIN HALYS (FRA)
DANIIL MEDVEDEV [7] v MARCOS GIRON (USA)
IGA SWIATEK (POL) [1] v JULE NIEMEIER (GER)

In addition to Channel 9 and 9Now, Stan Sport will have every match ad-free, live and on demand.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2023
LIVE & FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD, 9GEMHD & 9NOW

Monday, January 16, 2023

One of Australia’s most senior digital executives, Nick Young, has been appointed Nine’s Commercial Director – Digital, in a move that adds more senior firepower to the company’s market leading commercial team.

Reporting to Chief Sales Officer Michael Stephenson, Young will focus on furthering the development and implementation of Nine’s digital commercial strategy across all platforms. He will lead Nine’s Centre of Digital Excellence with a focus on the continued development of innovative data, advertising and technology products, and improving the digital capability of our cross platform teams. 

Working alongside Richard Hunwick (Director of Sales – Total Television), Jo Clasby (Director of Sales – Total Publishing) and Ashley Earnshaw (Director of Sales – Total Audio), Young will be a critical part of Nine’s leadership team. 

As Nine’s data, digital ad products and technology continue to set the industry benchmark as the company evolves into a digital powerhouse, Young returns to the company in a newly created position that sees him responsible for the strategy and implementation of a long term plan to accelerate revenue growth by competing even more effectively in the digital video and digital audio markets. 

With Nine’s premium content from the company’s unrivalled suite of assets spanning broadcast, publishing and audio increasingly being consumed across a range of digital platforms, Young will be the commercial lead responsible for Nine’s digital teams as well as the leader of Nine’s digital academy responsible for the development of our people. 

He was previously Nine’s Director of Sales – Digital for three years and laid the foundation for Nine’s Centre of Digital Excellence after successfully driving the commercial digital strategy  and was most recently Nova Entertainment’s Chief Commercial Officer.    

“Nick is the most senior digital commercial leader in the country and I’m rapt that he’s coming back to Nine,” said Michael Stephenson, Nine’s Chief Sales Officer. “Nick was an important part of the team that got us to this point and now it’s time for us to go again. The opportunities that exist in the digital video and digital audio markets are massive. We are perfectly positioned to take advantage of those opportunities and that’s where we will be focussed.”

Young has held several senior commercial roles within digital, audio and television businesses, working for two years at Ninemsn and eight years with the Multi Channel Network in a variety of roles.

Young’s appointment adds to the ranks of senior digital leaders at Nine, including Ben Campbell (Director – Advertising & Data Products), Jordan King (Director of Programmatic and Digital Sales) and Tina Andrews (Commercial Director – 9Now).

“I’m excited to be rejoining Nine to drive the business’s next phase of digital growth and working on such a fantastic suite of products with a world class team,” said Young.

“The evolution of digital media continues at pace, capitalising on this for our agency and client partners by providing innovative solutions which drive commercial growth is a challenge I’m looking forward to.”

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, January 16, 2023

A box-office showdown between tennis superstars Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic will provide the perfect entrée to the 2023 Australian Open tonight from 7.00pm AEDT, when it is available live and free on Channel 9HD or streaming on 9Now.

In their first meeting since the Wimbledon final last year, nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic will face off with Kyrgios at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne for a special exhibition match for charity, to finalise their Grand Slam preparations. 

Coverage on Nine’s Wide World of Sports will be hosted by James Bracey with commentary from Alicia Molik, Wally Masur and David Culbert.

ARENA SHOWDOWN: KYRGIOS v DJOKOVIC
Tonight
LIVE from Rod Laver Arena

Sydney                       7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD
Melbourne                 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD
Brisbane                     6.00pm LIVE on 9GemHD
Adelaide                     6.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD
Perth                           4.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD

Exclusive coverage of the 2023 Australian Open begins Monday January 16 on Nine.

THE ARENA SHOWDOWN
LIVE & FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD, 9GEMHD & 9NOW
TONIGHT 7.00PM AEDT

Friday, January 13, 2023