Archives: Media Releases

Nine’s radio stations wrap up 2022 as the outright market leaders in Sydney and Melbourne.

GfK Survey 8 of 2022 reveals Sydney’s 2GB is a clear No. 1 with a share of 12.5 (up 0.9), while Melbourne’s 3AW is also a dominant No. 1 with a winning share of 15.1 (up 1.4).

In Breakfast, 2GB’s Ben Fordham reclaimed the No. 1 position in Sydney with a share of 15.7 (up 0.9).

In Melbourne, 3AW’s ACRA award-winning breakfast duo Ross & Russ posted a winning share of 23.6 – with no other station recording double figures in Breakfast. It marks the pair’s best result for the year.

In the Mornings slot, 2GB’s Ray Hadley notched up his 146th consecutive survey win with a share of 15.9 in Sydney (up 2.6) and a share of 8.9 in Brisbane where he is No. 1 in Talk.

In Melbourne, 3AW’s Neil Mitchell was the dominant No. 1 in Mornings, with a share of 17.5 (up 0.9). This marks Neil’s 57th consecutive survey win and 215th overall win across his 32 years of broadcasting the Morning slot on 3AW.

3AW posted share increases across every shift, while 2GB recorded share increases in Breakfast, Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings and Weekends.

4BC’s Laurel, Gary and Mark achieved a 8.9 share in Brisbane, while 6PR’s new Breakfast pairing, Millsy and Karl posted a strong share of 10.7 to be second overall. 

Nine’s radio stations reached a cumulative audience of two million listeners every week in Survey 8, representing year-on-year growth of 11%.

Nine Radio’s Head of Content, Greg Byrnes said: “These are stunning results and we thank our listeners for tuning in each day. 2GB and 3AW have dominated all year and the lineup changes on 4BC and 6PR are delivering record audience numbers. And there will be no let-up, with our on-air teams continuing to be a trusted source of live and local news and entertainment right through summer.”

Source: GfK Radio Ratings, Survey 8 2022, Mon-Fri 5.30am-9.00am, Mon-Fri 9.00am-12pm, Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm, Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm, Mon-Thurs 8pm-12MN Fri 7pm-12MN, Market Share %, Cume AP10+ unless otherwise specified.

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

David Campbell and Brooke Boney will host Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight presented by AAMI live from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday, December 24, at 8.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Another star-studded lineup of artists will perform for Australia’s favourite Christmas Eve tradition, celebrating the 85th year of Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight as they light up the stage with everyone’s favourite Christmas songs and carols to sing along to. 

“I’m excited to be joining David this year to host Carols. I love Christmas, and being able to spread Christmas cheer to everyone is an absolute treat, we also raise money for children who are blind or have low vision and their families,” Brooke said. 

“Christmas is such a wonderful time and I’m always so honoured to be a part of such a wonderful Christmas Eve tradition. My family love Christmas, and it’s made even better by raising money for Vision Australia and the children and families all over Australia that need support. It’s going to be a spectacular night,” David said. 

David and Brooke will be joined again by Channel 9’s beloved Carols family including David Hobson, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Anthony Callea, Tim Campbell and Denis Walter. Also joining them this year will be Mitch Tambo, Casey Donovan, the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir, Rob Mills, Bobby Fox, Vika & Linda Bull, Emma Watkins and Simon Gleeson, with many more names to come.

Carols by Candlelight is Vision Australia’s biggest annual fundraiser for children’s services, with 100 per cent of profits from ticket sales going directly towards supporting over 2300 families whose children are blind or have low vision. Tickets to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl are on sale now via https://carols.visionaustralia.org/.

85TH VISION AUSTRALIA’S CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, LIVE AT 8.00PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

@Channel9 @carolsbycandlelight_aus
#CarolsByCandlelight
             For ticket sales or donations to Vision Australia visit  https://carols.visionaustralia.org/

For further information, please contact:
Amanda Poulos
9Network Publicity
apoulos@nine.com.au

Monday, December 12, 2022

Swimming will make its return to prime-time on the Wide World of Sports when the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) are exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now from Tuesday, December 13.

Taking place across six days from December 13-18, the best swimmers in the world will converge on Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to go toe-to-toe against the Australian Dolphins.

With the heats being throughout the day and finals every night during prime-time, viewers will be able to watch every race an Australian swimmer competes in across 30 hours of live competition. 

An all-star cast of swimming commentators will be poolside for the 9Network when Ian Thorpe, Ariarne Titmus and Giaan Rooney are on hand to give their expert insights.

Joining them will be Wide World of Sports commentator Mat Thompson to call the races live, while hosting the network’s coverage will be veteran sports broadcaster Tony Jones and Seb Costello. 

Wide World of Sports commentator Ian Thorpe said: “We have multiple Aussie Olympic champions swimming in the short course in Melbourne with Kyle Chalmers, Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon and Mack Horton. It’s exciting that they’ll all be competing.

“There’s been a period of transition with our younger stars coming in, such as Mollie O’Callaghan, which has made it more intense for positions on the team and ultimately elevates the standard right across the squad.

“This will be an intense competition made more interesting because the format suits athletes with different physiques compared to those that win in the traditional 50m pool. There’s a lot more focus on the starts and the turns, which will make for blistering times.” 

BROADCAST DETAILS

*Check local guides for details

16TH FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS (25M) MELBOURNE
DECEMBER 13-18, ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

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Friday, December 9, 2022

Nine has today announced the creation of two new leadership roles within its Product division, which will further grow and differentiate the digital experiences and products across its diverse range of media assets, spanning TV, Radio, Publishing, Data and Commercial. 

Head of Product for 9Now, Lewis Evans, has been promoted to the new role of Director of Product, Streaming; responsible for the product strategy for Total TV and Total Radio across Nine, which includes product execution across platforms and audience, identity, UX and design. Stuart Fagg will join Nine from News Corp in the new role of Director of Product, Publishing; responsible for the digital product strategy, execution and management for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, and nine.com.au, including product ownership, design, authoring, and subscriptions.

Nine’s Chief Product Officer, Bec Haagsma said: “Every customer touchpoint is crucial to the delivery of Nine’s strategic plan and I’m so excited to welcome Lewis and Stu into these newly created roles within the Product team. Under their leadership, and with their deep product and audience experience, we’ll be in an even stronger position to roll out the next set of products, features and capabilities to support our business and delight our customers in 2023. Our digital distribution is a key part of the success of Nine’s strategy and product and technology is at the core of everything we do.”

Prior to his role as Director of Product, Streaming, Lewis Evans spent more than eight years leading high performing product teams and executing world class streaming experiences for audiences at some of Australia’s largest media companies including Telstra, Freeview (where he is a member of the Board of Directors) and SBS where, as Head of Product and UX, he was instrumental in the transformation of SBS On Demand’s consumer experience. In recent years he’s championed a step-change in Nine’s Total TV product strategy and, with recent enhancements across Live Streaming, laid the foundation for Nine’s ‘streaming first’ future

Lewis Evans said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at the coal face of media innovation in Australia. I find it a real privilege to continue to lead the 9Now team through their phase of radical growth, while working closer with Nine’s radio and podcasting businesses to develop new and engaging digital experiences as the audio industry undergoes its own ‘streaming first’ transformation.”

Nine’s new Director of Product, Publishing, Stuart Fagg brings 23 years’ experience in the media industry. He started out as a journalist and editor in London and Sydney, and for the past 16 years, has worked in digital product strategy and development across some of Australia’s best-known media brands.

Stuart was most recently General Manager, Product at News Corp Australia, leading product strategy and development across The Australian, news.com.au, Vogue, GQ, Kidspot and Body & Soul, and the mobile apps portfolio. Prior to this, he spent five years as General Manager, Digital at The Australian, where he was instrumental in the transformation of product in the newsroom and helped to drive both sustainable profitability and annual double digit percentage growth in digital subscribers.

Stuart Fagg said: “I’m delighted to be joining Nine’s product team. Nine’s publishing brands are iconic, and the opportunity to drive the next phase of digital growth and delight customers is one I am genuinely excited by. Nine has a compelling strategy and vision and I’m looking forward to working with Bec and the team to bring it to life.”

Lewis Evans has already commenced in the role of Director of Product, Streaming, and Stuart Fagg will start as Director of Product, Publishing in February 2023. Both roles report to Chief Product Officer, Bec Haagsma. 

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au  

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Start counting down for a star-studded night of musical magic with Delta Goodrem in Christmas With Delta, Saturday, December 10, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

In front of a packed-out audience at The Concourse in Sydney, Delta will gather a stellar lineup of Australian and international guests for an evening of pure festive cheer and holiday spirit. 

“I’m so grateful to all the incredible artists and dear friends from around the world who have joined me this year,” Delta says.

The superstar lineup for Christmas With Delta includes Bryan Adams with Let’s Get This Christmas Going,The Lumineers’ take on Blue Christmas, Sam Fischer’s performance of The Christmas Song, Thelma Plum and Delta Goodrem collaborating on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and British pop sensation and The Voice UK coach Anne-Marie performing White Christmas. Delta will also check in with Gwen Stefani and 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster during the show.

“I love everything about Christmas – especially all the music and carols,” Delta says. Ahead of her third Christmas special for the 9Network, Delta promises “an incredible night performing favourite Christmas classics and delivering heartwarming surprises to Aussie families”. 

Additional highlights will include American pop trio Hanson, sharing the stage with Conrad Sewell for a nostalgic interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s Someday at Christmas, and Delta’s mesmerising rendition of the classic What Child Is This and her signature original Only Santa Knows. 

“If I was to share with you what my Christmases were like growing up, it would be through the lyrics of that song – the cookies you leave for Santa or the carrots outside for reindeer. And that I truly believed in the magic of Christmas – and still do!” Delta says.

The evening will also include a moving and intimate tribute to Olivia Newton-John featuring both Olivia’s daughter Chloe and husband John.  

Spreading the Christmas spirit even further, Delta will also drop into Sydney’s Marrickville Public School. Get set for some hilarious and revealing Christmas insights from the entertaining young minds of kids in kindergarten and Year 1. 

Then the good vibes continue when Delta makes a surprise visit to Melbourne’s BAM ARTS INC, which provides arts programs, events and opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages.

Following the December 10 premiere of Christmas With Delta, viewers can catch a half-hour presentation on Saturday, December 24, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now, before the 85th Vision Australia Carols By Candlelight concert. A full encore presentation will also go to air on Sunday, December 25, at 11.30am on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Tickets for Delta’s highly-anticipated national Innocent Eyes 20th Anniversary Tour are available to purchase here. 

Delta Goodrem’s Only Santa Knows (Deluxe Edition) is out now, featuring all your festive season favourites reimagined, plus two original-penned Christmas classics. Buy, download or stream now.

CHRISTMAS WITH DELTA
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE

LIKE Channel 9 on Facebook
FOLLOW @Channel9 on Instagram and Twitter
Catch up on 9Now

For further information, please contact: 
Chris Urankar
9Network Publicity
chris.urankar@nine.com.au

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Nine is revolutionising the way audiences consume live television with the launch of a ‘start over’ function on its broadcast video on demand (BVOD) platform, 9Now. 

Available on Web and Mobile Apps, and coming soon to Connected TVs (Apple TV, Android TV, Telstra TV, Amazon Fire TV), 9Now’s start over button addresses one of the biggest pain points when it comes to watching live content on BVOD – missing the start of a program and having to wait for the video to be published. 

Now, thanks to the start over feature, viewers who join a live channel late in the program can start the program over, up to two hours from the program’s start time. Once a viewer is in start over mode, they are also provided with the ‘jump to’ option which either takes them straight to the live broadcast or, if a new program has started, they can jump straight to the beginning of the next program.

Nine’s Director of Programming and 9Now, Hamish Turner, said “9Now’s focus is simple: to entertain and inform Australians with the very best in sport, news and entertainment. This focus is pivotal with the increase in streaming on connected TVs.” 

“9Now’s daily active accounts have seen 52% growth over the last two years, and the percentage of live viewing minutes up  40%. The new start over function, coupled with Full HD of all our live simulcast channels enhances the viewing experience, ensuring our audience will never miss a minute from their favourite shows.” 

Nine’s Chief Product Officer, Bec Haagsma, said “This investment in 9Now is the perfect example of the market-leading innovation happening across Nine – unique technology for our market, putting our viewers in complete control of their viewing experience, and functionality that no other live broadcaster in the country can compete with. It’s live TV, better.”

“We know our audiences, and are making product improvements with their needs and preferences in mind. We’ve found that on average, people can tune in 5-6 minutes late to the news, and up to 15-20 minutes late to shows like The Block, which is completely relatable given the juggle of work, family and other commitments we all deal with. Now when they open 9Now they can control their viewing of our live schedule, whenever and wherever it suits them.

“This is great news for our advertisers as well, with an increase in total minutes consumed by viewers. For example, we could see as much as a 10% growth in 9News total minutes from this single feature – improving both consumption and engagement.”

The start over function is part of a comprehensive viewer-focused upgrade of 9Now, which brings together the simplicity of free-to-air TV, with the convenience and interactivity of digital.

Other key improvements to the live streaming quality on Nine’s 24/7 live channels include:

• Full HD 1080p
• 50 frames per second (FPS) on Channel 9 and 9Gem 
• 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound 
• Closed captions 

This summer, 9Now will also launch an entirely new in-app experience that instantly plays live TV as soon as you open the app (just like traditional TV), whilst letting you browse the catalogue for your favourite content. This innovative, immersive and yet familiar TV experience will further enhance the live experience for Nine audiences.

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

The driving force behind The Australian Financial Review’s digital transformation, Fiona Buffini, has been appointed Editor of the nation’s premium business, finance and political publication. 

Buffini will succeed the Financial Review’s longest-serving Editor, Paul Bailey, who last month announced his resignation after 11 years leading the masthead and who will finish in the role at the end of this week. 

Her appointment follows a competitive internal and external application process.

Buffini joined the Financial Review nearly 25 years ago. A former chartered accountant, she worked her way up from reporting to editing, including news editor, news director and the masthead’s Deputy Editor (digital). 

“I am deeply honoured to join Editor in Chief Michael Stutchbury and Managing Editor Cosima Marriner to lead the best newsroom in the country,” Buffini said. “I am excited to continue the Financial Review’s digital evolution, to find new audiences for our indispensable reporting and to build on the extraordinary achievements of editor Paul Bailey.”

Welcoming her appointment, Stutchbury said Buffini was uniquely placed to maximise the journalism of Australia’s most-trusted newspaper masthead (*) in digital format while maintaining the heritage of a high quality print product.  

“No-one knows the ins and outs of the Financial Review newsroom better than Fiona. She is totally across the Financial Review’s news agenda, its position in Australian media and its role in supporting a more prosperous nation,” he said.

“Her unique combination of reporting, editing, and newsroom management experience and her track record in devising and driving the Financial Review’s digital transformation makes her the natural leader of the masthead’s next phase of growth.” 

James Chessell, Nine’s Managing Director Publishing, added: “Huge congratulations to Fiona who has been a star from the moment she joined the Financial Review during the first term of the Howard administration. She is blessed with a remarkable work ethic and unflappable temperament as well as a determination to maintain the masthead’s strong digital growth. I look forward to her already significant contribution to the Financial Review becoming even greater.”

For the past two years as Deputy Editor (digital), Buffini has led the team responsible for the Financial Review’s digital platforms, including afr.com, the Financial Review app, newsletters, and podcasts.

As News Director and Digital Editor between 2015 and 2020, Buffini positioned the Financial Review to accelerate its digital transformation during the pandemic, expanding live coverage and building on the masthead’s digital newsletters.  

Today, the Financial Review has the most digitally-focused audience and subscriber base of any newspaper masthead in Australia. It has the third biggest digital-only audience of any newspaper masthead and the only national newspaper brand to grow its readership over the past year.   

(*) 2022 Digital News Report, News and Media Research Centre, University of Canberra.

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

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Pedestrian Group, ANZ’s largest youth-focused publishing group, has promoted Rachel Tikey into the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer, a position that will see Tikey lead expansion into new markets and launch new products; including web3 vertical The Chainsaw and other products in development with parent company, Nine.

Under Tikey’s guidance, the Pedestrian Group commercial department, which includes the national teams of Strategy, Sales, Projects and Ad Operations, has delivered back to back years of notably high revenue growth, and several industry award wins.

Pedestrian Group’s CEO, Matt Rowley says: “If you’ve worked with Rachel in any capacity you will know what a commercial force she is. She has a gift for figuring out how different people can work together productively, crafting the most talented team in the industry. Rachel is the perfect person to commercially lead Pedestrian Group through its next set of opportunities and evolution as a business.”

Rachel Tikey said: “I love Pedestrian Group and feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside the talented minds in this business. It is a privilege to take this next step in my career with brands that inform and entertain young Aussies like no other.”

Tikey is an established leader and works with the wider media and advertising industry as a non-executive director for UNLTD’s Little Colossus (MOOD TEA), has held multiple senior roles at Pedestrian Group and previous roles at Pandora, ARN and SCA. 

She will commence her role as Chief Commercial Officer at Pedestrian Group effective immediately. 

*About Pedestrian Group*

Pedestrian Group is Australia’s leading youth-centered publisher, reaching a unique audience of more than 4.16 million Aussies per month, and more 18 to 39-year-olds than any other publisher. It is home to PEDESTRIAN.TV, The Chainsaw, VICE Australia, Refinery29 Australia, Lifehacker Australia, Gizmodo Australia, Kotaku Australia and Business Insider Australia, as well as the Open Air Cinemas. It is wholly owned by Nine, Australia’s largest media company.

*Nielsen Digital Content Ratings, Monthly Tagged, December 2020, All Brands, Text, People 2+, Census

For further information, please contact: 
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au 

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Gay Alcorn will step down from her position as editor of The Age after two years in the role to spend time caring for her husband, who is unwell.

An internal and external recruitment process will now be conducted to find a new editor to lead The Age team, and acting editor Michael Bachelard will remain in place until this is completed.

Executive editor Tory Maguire said it was a sad outcome for Alcorn to cut short her editorship, and that Alcorn would return to The Age in a senior role when she was able.

“Gay has led The Age through two incredibly challenging and exhilarating years covering the story of a lifetime and she has done so with energy, passion, ambition and intellectual prowess,” Maguire said.

“Under her editorship The Age returned to the centre of Melbourne’s cultural life, broke countless stories with impact and challenged its readers to think widely and deeply.

“I will miss Gay’s fresh take on the big issues, as well as her infectious enthusiasm for news and ideas, and I look forward to having her back in the newsroom in the future.”

Maguire also thanked Bachelard for his willingness to act in the role, which he has been doing since September.

“We’re very lucky to have someone of Michael’s experience and talent to lead The Age through this transition period. He took on this role just prior to the Victorian Election and continues to demonstrate leadership and judgement every day,” said Maguire.

Alcorn said she was sad to be resigning as editor. “This job has been the most challenging, interesting and rewarding in my professional life. I love The Age and what it stands for. But it is the right thing for my family for me to step down and for The Age to have a new leader.”

A recruitment advertisement will be published in the coming days.

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

Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Aussie golfing superstorm that is Cameron Smith will blow into Melbourne this week for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, live and free on the 9Network and 9Now from Thursday at 12.00pm AEDT.

Played across two courses on Melbourne’s famous sandbelt – Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club – the 2022 Australian Open features both the men’s and women’s events, along with the all-abilities field, in a world-first for a national open tournament.

Playing in alternating groups on both courses for the first two days, before moving to Victoria Golf Club for the weekend, the nation’s best golfers will be on home soil to show who really is the king and the queen of the course.

Fresh from winning the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, Cameron Smith is attempting the Australian PGA-Australian Open double that was last accomplished in 2011 by Greg Chalmers. Lining up to take him down will be Aussie compatriots Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Min Woo Lee, while the women’s stars Minjee Lee and Hannah Green will feature at the same time.

Previewing the tournament, Cameron Smith said: “The courses here demand a lot of you so you have to be spot on. You get to play plenty of shots, you have to play good golf around here.

“I haven’t won one of these yet and it has been on my radar for a long time. I feel like I play my best golf when I’m creative, and this course is the best that golf has to offer.

“Playing alongside the women is good for the game of golf and there’ll be huge crowds here to watch. Karrie Webb actually beat me when we were playing a practice round a few months ago.”

Nine’s Wide World of Sports will showcase every day of the four-day tournament, live and free, from Thursday to Sunday. Fans can also watch on demand from their device for free on 9Now.

ISPS HANDA Australian Open 
Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club

*Check local guides for details

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Wednesday, November 30, 2022