Archives: Media Releases

Former Block favourites Jess Eva and Norm Hogan are back, transforming homes and changing lives when Budget Battlers returns on Wednesday, October 22, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

In the second season of this feelgood renovation series, Jess and Norm put their budget skills to the test by reimagining entire homes in just five days, working with a tight renovation budget of just $10,000.
 
Joining the team are a mix of fresh faces and familiar favourites. Real Housewives of Sydney star Melissa Tkautz comes onboard, along with Atlas Property Group Director Lachlan Vidler, and Angela Williams and Dave Matthews from Human Kind. Supporting them are the ever-reliable volunteer tradie crew, with foreman Leigh, Moncur, Lawts and Glen all returning to roll up their sleeves.
 
From Victoria to South Australia, the stories at the heart of Budget Battlers are as powerful as the transformations. In Aberfoyle Park, South Australia, a group of school mums nominate Ebony, a young mother battling stage three bowel cancer.
 
In Maidstone, Victoria, the team step in to help Sandra, a selfless nurse who has spent her life caring for others. Despite insisting she doesn’t need help, Jess, Norm and the crew are determined to give her home a well-earned refresh.
 
In the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Aunty Velda’s home is in serious need of a renovation so it can keep on welcoming the community for generations to come.
 
Meanwhile in Birchip, Victoria, local legend Maurice is recognised for his quiet dedication as the whole town rallies to surprise him with a renovation he never saw coming.  
 
With a new home to renovate each week, Budget Battlers is bigger, bolder and more heartfelt than ever. Full of tears, triumphs and jaw-dropping reveals, this must-watch renovation series proves that you don’t need a million-dollar budget to make a house feel like a cherished and priceless home.
 
Budget Battlers is produced by Maker Media for the 9Network.

For media enquiries:
Bayley Howe
9Network Publicity
bayleyhowe@nine.com.au

Thursday, 9 October 2025

Nine Radio today announced the signing of rising media star and Australian BookTok sensation, Luke Bateman, to an exclusive audio deal.

The former NRL star and fan-favourite from The Bachelors Australia has officially joined the Nine Podcast stable and is currently developing a new audio project due for release later this year.

Bateman has become one of the country’s most compelling new media personalities, seamlessly transitioning from the rugby league field to amassing an enormous and highly engaged following on TikTok (@lukesreads) for his authentic passion for literature.

The timber-cutter, business owner, and soon-to-be author – who also holds a two-book deal with publisher Simon & Schuster – brings powerful momentum to Nine’s award-winning podcast slate. This acquisition is a significant move, securing a unique talent with an instantly recognisable profile and a substantial, built-in audience.

Luke Bateman commented on the partnership: “I am ecstatic to announce I am working with Nine. Every human being is a storytelling machine and I’m looking forward to sharing these with you all. I’m looking forward to finally revealing this project to the world.”

Nine’s Head of Podcasts, Rachel Fountain said: “We’re over the moon to be working with Luke. His narrative – from the rugby league field to literary influencer – is one of the most compelling stories in media today, and our team loves working with him. He’s so passionate and invested in everything he touches, he’s not afraid to be vulnerable, and he brings authenticity and real talent for storytelling and connecting with audiences. This, combined with the power of Nine, makes him a truly unmissable addition to our stable.”

Further details on Nine’s podcast project with Bateman will be released soon.

For media enquiries:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
clynch@nine.com.au

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Travel to Australia’s top spots and meet incredible people changing the game of life in the new series of My Way, premiering this Sunday at 5.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

My Way continues its heart-led storytelling approach, spotlighting real people, their passion projects, and the pockets of paradise they call home. In an exciting new season, viewers will journey from the dirt road to the inner city, through farmlands, and the heart of the outback, discovering something for everyone right in their own backyard. While their locale is always breathtaking, it’s the individuals themselves at the heart of each episode who show that purpose and place go hand in hand.

The first episode begins on the sunlit shores of the Gold Coast, where Stuart Smith carves out more than surfboards. He is one of Australia’s only custom shapers, and his unique boards are a familiar sight at our beaches. Stuart’s love of surfing started early, and after breaking a few boards he decided to make his own. So Stuart Surf was born, becoming a mainstay in boardriding culture, with Stuart’s devotion to the waves and the community surfing alongside him.

For Josh Alder, adventure runs in the family. As the second generation behind Australian Sunset Safaris, he grew up with the Queensland coastline as his playground. Passionate for immersive, eco-conscious travel, Josh is a leader in sustainable tourism. From snorkelling in crystal waters to racing down steep sand dunes, each of his tours is a love letter to the natural beauty of destinations like K’gari, the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Island that lives on in the memory of his safari-goers.

For Chris de Klerk, the edges of a picture frame are where the stories begin. A former lawyer who migrated from South Africa in 2003, Chris traded in courtrooms for creativity, opening Frames on Farrant in Brisbane and never looking back. For 17 years he’s been preserving memories, protecting history, and celebrating artworks through his picture frames. This exceptional craftsman set up both a business and a network of art lovers he continues to connect with, one beautiful frame at a time.

In the heart of Ipswich, a humble olive grove has blossomed into Watercress Creek, a thriving farm producing olive oil, Tahitian lime cordial and other product lines for Bernie Mahon. Since planting the first trees with his late wife in 1998, Bernie has poured love into every corner of their property. Today the farm is much more than a source of fresh produce – it’s a haven of serenity and joyfulness that peaks with the annual Watercress Creek Olive Festival, a celebration of food, farming and community.

Whether it’s shaping surfboards, framing memories, tending the land or guiding travellers through paradise, each story on My Way is an inspirational reminder that if you choose to work at what you love, it will never really feel like work at all.

Don’t miss the season premiere of My Way this Sunday at 5.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Watch My Way on 9Now

For media enquiries:
Lucy Charles
9Network Publicity
lucy.charles@nine.com.au

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Last night’s thrilling NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm is the highest rating NRL Grand Final of all time and Australia’s No. 1 program of 2025.

The breathtaking decider in which the Broncos won 26-22 secured a National Total TV Reach of 6.409 million and a National Total TV Average Audience of 4.460 million – up 33% year-on-year.

• Sydney: Total TV Average Audience of 1.099 million
• Melbourne: Total TV Average Audience of 734,000
• Brisbane: Total TV Average Audience of 941,000
• Adelaide: Total TV Average Audience of 127,000
• Perth: Total TV Average Audience of 198,000 

The match smashed BVOD records, capturing an audience of 1.316 million on 9Now alone, making it the highest rating BVOD event in VOZ history.

The NRLW Grand Final between the Roosters and the Broncos broke records for the women’s sport, capturing a Total TV audience of 1.032 million (up 36% year-on-year).

These stunning numbers cap off one of the most successful NRL seasons of all time, in terms of TV viewing figures, with the 2025 season recording significant growth across all iterations and on all screens. 

• NRL Season 2025 (Regular Season + Final Series) has seen growth of +11.5% on Total TV, recording a National Total TV Average Audience of 614,000 per match (the highest for a NRL Season in VOZ history). 
• The NRL Finals series has recorded its highest Audience in VOZ History with over 1.1 million people tuning into every game (up 33.3% year-on-year) on Nine. 
• Broadcast Audiences grew double digits (+22.1%) with BVOD Audiences increasing an impressive +101.8% (244,000 Audience).
• The Preliminary final between the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers was the highest across all screens in VOZ history (Broadcast, BVOD, Total TV). The match drew a National Total TV Audience of 1.8 million (up 53% year-on-year). 
• People didn’t just tune in in record numbers to the Finals series. For the Regular Home & Away Season in 2025, Audiences grew +7.7% on Total TV, +4.2% on Broadcast TV & +34.9% on BVOD
• This success also translated to Nine’s NRL programming. 100% Footy saw a Total TV Audience of 194,000 per episode (up 66.1% year-on-year), reaching 5.6 million throughout the series. NRL Sunday Footy Show reached 3.6 million people on Total TV. 
• In its first series broadcast on Channel 9 in Sydney and Brisbane, Freddy and the Eighth saw a Total TV Audience of 97,000 tune in every week.

Amanda Laing, Nine’s Managing Director, Streaming & Broadcast, said:
“This year’s phenomenal ratings are a testament to Nine’s unwavering commitment to being the true home of rugby league. We believe the greatest game of all should be accessible to everyone, and by providing that universal, free-to-air access, we are helping to grow the sport’s fan base in every corner of the country. To see that commitment reflected in record-breaking audience numbers is incredibly rewarding.

“Our passion for the game extends beyond the 80 minutes on the field. This season, we have invested more than ever in telling the stories at the heart of rugby league – profiling the incredible athletes, the dedicated coaches, and the passionate fans that make this sport what it is. By bringing these human stories to life across all our platforms, we are giving viewers a deeper connection to the game they love.

“This success would not be possible without the incredible collaboration we have with the NRL. Immense credit goes to Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for their leadership and shared vision. We are proud of our close partnership and thank them for working with us to deliver this landmark season to the Australian public.”

Brent Williams, Nine’s Director of Sport, said:
“I want to extend a sincere thank you to the players, coaches and clubs. Not only have their world-class performances captivated the nation, but their generosity in providing access for interviews and features has allowed us to showcase the personalities and stories behind the game. That partnership is invaluable for bringing fans closer to their heroes.

“Finally, I couldn’t be prouder of our team at Nine’s Wide World of Sports. Their tireless work and passion for storytelling have raised the bar for sports broadcasting in this country, and this season’s success is a fantastic recognition of their collective effort.”

For media enquiries:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communicaions Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Monday, 6 October 2025

TVMAP VOZ Program Analyser, VOZ Data 5.9 © OzTAM Pty Limited [2023], National, Nine Content, NRL/NRLW Grand Final & NRL/NRLW Season (2/03/2025 – 5/10/2025, 3/03/2024 – 6/10/2024), excludes pre/post match, golden point, knock off and kick off, Entertainment, Average Audience, Total People, Total TV, Overnight; MAGAINE PROGRAMS (01/01/2025 -27/09/2025 v 01/01/2024 v 28/09/2024), 100% Footy, Footy Furnace, Sunday Footy Show, Freddy and the Eighth, Average Audience, Reach, Total People, Total TV, Consolidated 7 (as at 03/10/2025).

Nine Radio’s Continuous Call Team (CCT) is capping off its top-rating 2025 NRL season with a full weekend of action, starting with a massive Grand Final Eve outside broadcast and culminating in an all-day broadcast featuring the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals on Sunday. 

The celebrations kick off on Saturday with a special live outside broadcast from 1.00pm-6.00pm from The Rooftop Bar at The Locker Room, Sydney Olympic Park, with an all-star lineup featuring Mark Levy, Darryl “The Big Marn” Brohman, Paul Gallen, Allana Ferguson, Josh Morris, Mark Geyer and Mark “Piggy” Riddell.

Fans are encouraged to attend for an afternoon of fun, footy talk, food, drinks, special guests, and prizes, sponsored by Laundy Hotels.

Then for the ultimate showdowns on Sunday between the NRLW’s Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos, and the NRL’s Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, the CCT’s marathon Grand Final Day broadcast will run from 1.00pm-10.30pm AEDT, ensuring listeners don’t miss a single moment of the action, atmosphere or analysis.

Nine’s talk radio network will carry the coverage nationally, with 3AW Melbourne joining from 6.00pm AEDT and 6PR Perth commencing coverage from 4.00pm AWST.

The CCT will deliver full game calls for both Grand Finals, featuring commentary from Chris Warren, Mark Riddell, Josh Morris and Sienna Williams for the NRLW and Darryl Brohman, Mark Geyer, Mark Riddell and Mark Levy for the NRL – a significant personal milestone for Levy, who will call the season decider for the very first time.

On top of the world-class commentary offering, footy fans can also enjoy the Grand Final with a truly superior match-day experience thanks to Nine Radio’s Audio Sync feature available on the 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, and 6PR apps – guaranteeing a perfect match of real-time audio and vision between the CCT commentary and 9Network telecast.

Luke Davis, Nine Radio’s National Partnerships and Special Events Manager, said: “This Grand Final weekend is the perfect culmination of our top-rating season. We’re proud to deliver the most comprehensive coverage across the Nine Radio network – from the massive fan event on Saturday to our all-day broadcast on Sunday, featuring both the NRLW and NRL deciders. With the powerful combination of our commentary team and the Audio Sync Feature across our apps, we’re providing fans nationwide with the best possible way to experience the Big One.”

The 2025 season concludes the CCT’s incredible 39th year on air, starting in Las Vegas and covering 27 Rounds, the Finals, and the State of Origin series, proving why the CCT remains Australia’s ultimate voice of Rugby League.

For media enquiries:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

A galaxy of NRL superstars will collide on the final day of the season when the Melbourne Storm meet the Brisbane Broncos in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final – exclusive, live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now – from 6.30pm AEDT, Sunday, October 5.

Nine’s Wide World of Sports will celebrate Grand Final Day with 16 hours of live wall-to-wall coverage at Accor Stadium, Sydney, including the 9Network’s exclusive broadcast of the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

The finals powerhouse that is Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm, making their 11th Grand Final under his guidance, will get their shot at avenging their 2024 Grand Final loss, when Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates and Jahrome Hughes unleash their electric attacking talents amongst a relentless and methodical Storm team unit.

Coming to crash the party is a rockstar Brisbane Broncos outfit with Reece Walsh at centrestage, and a support cast of Adam Reynolds, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt, Ezra Mam and Kotoni Staggs ready to run free like wild horses as they chase their first premiership since 2006. Holding the reins is 2014 premiership and State of Origin winning coach Michael Maguire, as his team rides head on into the Storm with the whole of Queensland in tow.

Grand Final Day starts live from 7.00am AEDT at Accor Stadium in Sydney with Weekend Today, which will be followed by Wide World of Sports and the NRL Sunday Footy Show.

On-field action begins with the NRL State Championship Grand Final at 1.20pm AEDT, between the New Zealand Warriors (NSW) and Burleigh Bears (QLD), before the NRLW Grand Final between the undefeated Roosters and Broncos at 4.00pm AEDT.

9Now will provide a live second screen offering with dedicated player cameras following Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh in the NRL, plus Tamika Upton and Isabelle Kelly in the NRLW.

Wide World of Sports will have the best in the business covering a blockbuster Grand Final Day, hosted by James Bracey, Danika Mason, Emma Lawrence and Marlee Silva. The best experts in commentary are headed up by rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns with premiership-winning captains Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, and Paul Gallen in tow, plus premiership winners Billy Slater, Phil Gould AM and Sam Thaiday, and women’s internationals Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson.

This unrivalled lineup of commentators, boasting 48 Grand Final appearances as players and coaches combined, will provide viewers with insight and analysis befitting the biggest day of the season.

Calling the live action will be Mat Thompson, Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.

And hang around after the game as we take viewers into the dressing sheds with the winning team to join the celebrations.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE: NRL GRAND FINAL DAY ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
Sunday, October 5
All programs live from Accor Stadium, Sydney.
Check local guides for details

WEEKEND TODAY SHOW: 7.00am AEDT
Start the big day when Clint Stanaway and Lizzie Pearl and the Weekend Today team go live from Accor Stadium with exclusive access to the ground for the ultimate fan Grand Final breakfast with Broncos legends Sam Thaiday and Darren Lockyer.

WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS: 10.00am AEDT
The panel is live from Accor Stadium with special guests James Tedesco and Cameron Smith to celebrate the biggest day on the NRL calendar. 

SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW: 11.00am AEDT Channel 9 Syd/Bris, 9Gem Melb/Adel/Perth
Emma Lawrence, Andrew Johns, Billy Slater and Brad Fittler will deliver a supersized Grand Final edition of the Sunday Footy Show from Accor Stadium that features the whole Wide World of Sports rugby league team as we celebrate the 2025 season.  

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL: NZ Warriors v Burleigh Bears when live match coverage begins in the State Championship Grand Final between this year’s Knock-on Effect NSW Cup premiers, the New Zealand Warriors, and the winners of the Hostplus Cup in Queensland, the Burleigh Bears.

Sydney/Melbourne     1.20pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane                     12.20pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide                     12.50pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth                          10.20am LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now 

Commentary: Cameron Smith, Phil Gould and Peter Psaltis. Sideline – Johnathan Thurston and Marlee Silva.

NRLW GRAND FINAL: Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos 
Sydney/Melbourne     4.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane                     3.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide                     3.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth                          1.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now

Commentary: Ruan Sims, Allana Ferguson, Brenton Speed. Sideline – Darren Lockyer and Marlee Silva.

9NEWS: 6.00pm AEDT 
Before the big game begins, 9News will deliver all the major stories of the day in a special bulletin for NRL Grand Final Sunday. 

PRE-MATCH ENTERTAINMENT: From 6.30pm AEDT 
Teddy Swims will light up Accor Stadium to lead the 2025 NRL Grand Final Day entertainment before we farewell our retiring players and chat to some special guests.

NRL GRAND FINAL: STORM v BRONCOS

Sydney/Melbourne      7.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane                      6.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide                      7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth                            4.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now

Commentary: Andrew Johns, Billy Slater and Mat Thompson. Sideline – Danika Mason and Brad Fittler.

For media enquiries:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Get ready to dive into one of Australia’s most baffling and tragic mysteries. Alva Beach: Death At The Door is the new eight-part exclusive investigation by 60 Minutes journalist Adam Hegarty that pulls back the curtain on the fatal events of a single night in a quiet North Queensland town – a case that has left families heartbroken and demanding answers for seven long years.

On that night, a backyard party in Alva Beach ended in tragedy with the stabbing deaths of two men: 37-year-old father of three Corey Christensen and 27-year-old Tom Davy. The teenager responsible was never charged.

Hegarty covered the coronial inquest and has now travelled to North Queensland to delve back into this case; dissecting an inexcusable failure by first responders; troves of contradicting testimony; why lawyers stormed out of the inquest; and speaking with families feeling let down by what they consider a flawed investigation.

“I was shocked by the botched response and failures of police and paramedics that night and the inadequacy of the court to get to the truth of this tragedy even years later,” said Hegarty.

“Tom and Corey’s families believe the system failed them from the very start and have been chasing answers for years. There are critical details of this case that demand public scrutiny, and this podcast is about putting that full, unvarnished record out there.”

Tom Davy’s father, Neil Davy said, “It’s been a domino effect of failures right from the start. The ambulance, the police, then the inquest. We’re here because we need the law to work.”

Alva Beach: Death At The Door gives the audience a rare insight into this case through an extraordinary amount of evidence – much of which has never been released to the public – including police bodycam footage, emergency phone calls, suspect interviews and internal investigation recordings.

Throughout the podcast, Hegarty tracks down people linked to this case who have never spoken before. Among them, former police officer Justin Luke, who was on the scene that night.

“I’m not a police officer anymore, so I feel like I can speak a little bit more freely,” Luke says. “There’s unanswered questions, and I think what I’ve had to say hopefully will answer some of them(sic) questions.”

Alva Beach: Death At The Door is more than a mystery; it’s a powerful challenge to the listener. Was this a tragic and unfortunate chain of events, or is it an egregious failure of justice and due process in this country?

The Davy family’s lawyer, Julia Jasper, whose legal fight continues, perfectly sums up the core problem: “We have a system that’s set up to protect rights but also, as far as the evidence allows, gets to the truth… it hasn’t worked. We should know more than we know.”

Listen to the full, gripping investigation from 60 Minutes and 9Podcasts now, wherever you get your podcasts.

For media enquiries:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
clynch@nine.com.au 

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age today unveiled ‘Here’s to reason’ – a new brand and subscriber campaign making a powerful statement on the value of balanced, responsible journalism in a deeply polarised world.

The campaign, created in partnership with Publicis Worldwide Australia, speaks to the millions of Australians who reject extremism and misinformation, and value informed debate, diverse perspectives and nuanced reporting. 

Grounded in reader insights and behavioural data, the campaign reflects what audiences have long told us: that The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age help them navigate a complex and divided world. 

‘Here’s to Reason’ underlines the mastheads’ role as trusted voices for Australians who want not just information, but quality content that provides facts, context, and perspective. 

“We know from our data and our research that audiences are hungry for news they can rely on, and we have an important role to play in a world that’s increasingly dominated by extremes. This campaign celebrates Sydneysiders and Melburnians who look to the Herald and The Age for intelligent, responsible reporting. It’s a campaign built with both our readers and our newsrooms at the heart of it,” said Vera Straubinger, Head of Brand & Acquisition at Nine. 

For the first time, the campaign has been produced in two distinct versions, tailored to reflect the character of each city. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age campaign films feature several Sydney and Melbourne subscribers, capturing the nuances of each city’s culture and audience.

‘Here’s to reason’ also represents an integrated effort between marketing and editorial teams. Journalists and editors have been closely involved from the outset, ensuring the campaign’s core message is not only a brand proposition but a genuine reflection of the purpose and focus of our newsrooms. 

The campaign also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining reason in a media environment which increasingly targets the far ends of the spectrum. 

The editorial and marketing partnership will evolve this week with a series of content initiatives to launch the campaign, including subscriber notes from editors, and special front pages and wraps for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald print editions, outlining the approach our newsrooms take when bringing balanced perspectives to life every day.

“At a time when the world’s most powerful man wants to sack comedians and pin autism on Panadol, reason is in short supply. Now more than ever, our journalism needs to be courageous, deeply reported and always suspicious of government and corporate influence. This campaign reflects The Age and the Herald’s commitment to give readers the full picture – not just a shrill headline or an inflammatory position for clicks”, Executive Editor Luke McIlveen said. 

The creative features striking black-and-white portraits and films of everyday Australians, cast directly from the streets of Sydney and Melbourne. These portraits anchor the creative, capturing the diversity of perspectives that make up our cities while uniting them through a shared belief in balanced news.

“Reason is the great unifier. We might all have different views, opinions, perspectives – but at the end of the day, we all crave balanced news so we can make up our own minds about the issues we care most about. This piece of work is a rallying cry for reason,” Ryan Petie, Executive Creative Director of Publicis Worldwide adds.

The first flight of the new campaign will run from September 29 to November 9 across television, streaming, cinema, audio, print, digital, social, and large and small format out-of-home channels across New South Wales and Victoria.

For media enquiries:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
clynch@nine.com.au 

Credits:

Nine Entertainment

Publicis Worldwide Australia

Finch

Heckler

White Chocolate

Electric Sheep Music

Stills retouching:

Suriya Black

Media Partner: PHD

Celebrating the 25 year milestone of the Olympic Games in Sydney, the Wide World of Sports presents Sydney 2000: The Best Ever, from Wednesday, October 8 on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Across 17 days of marvel that shaped Australia, Sydney 2000: The Best Ever travels the globe to find the superstars who helped make those two weeks in spring so memorable, while revealing the legacy and impact those moments had on this nation across two magical one hour films.

Speaking with Cathy Freeman in Uluru, Ian Thorpe back at the pool in Homebush, finding Pieter van den Hoogenband at home in the Netherlands, heartbroken Aussie race walker Jane Saville in Spain and “Eric The Eel” Moussambani in Africa, the biggest characters relive their memories. 

All the biggest stories from the games are captured, from the beach volleyball party in Bondi, to the heartbreaking gold medals in the velodrome, International champions such as Michael Johnson and Sir Steve Redgrave describe the global reach, Kurt Fearnley and Louise Sauvage explore the social impact of the Paralympics, and two memorable stars take us back to the opening ceremony.

Off the field we reveal the extraordinary events that occurred behind the scenes with the power brokers who helped orchestrate the successful bid in 1993, to those immortal words “The best Games ever”, delivered by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to encapsulate the global impact Australia had on the world.

This is for those to relive what they witnessed in Sydney in 2000, and those who weren’t so fortunate to enjoy the ride.

Head of Creative and Innovations at Nine Wide World of Sports, Alex Rolls, said: “These two beautifully crafted films magnificently capture Australia at its glorious best for that famous fortnight in spring 25 years ago. 

“The sporting, cultural and societal impact is plain to see and for that we thank all of the Olympic legends who star in the shows. Get ready to go on the incredible journey from winning the bid to the closing ceremony, as we hope to put a huge smile on your face and immense pride in what we can achieve as a nation. Bring on Brisbane 2032.”

Sydney 2000: The Best Ever premieres Wednesday October 8 at 8.35pm on Channel 9 following The Block.

Further information:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has once again been named as Australia’s most powerful person on The Australian Financial Review Magazine’s Power List, which features no members of the federal opposition for the first time in 25 years. 

While five members of Albanese’s government made the Overt Power list, Coalition leader Sussan Ley didn’t make the top 10 in the view of the Power panel. There is no one from the Coalition, Greens, Teals or crossbenchers on any of the three main Power lists; overt, covert and cultural. 

“The power of Albanese in 2025 is as close to absolute as is feasible under Australia’s constitution,” said AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond. “In the view of several members of the Power panel, he’s the most powerful prime minister since John Howard. That said, there’s a brittleness beneath this power base with Labor’s share of the primary vote at record lows and wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and an unpredictable United States, destabilising the government.” 

The gatefold cover of the magazine features the Prime Minister in the Government Party Room in Parliament House with all 28 newly elected Labor MPs and Senators, a visual depiction of the Labor’s landslide election win in May. 

The Power List consists of three main categories – Overt, Covert and Cultural – which are debated at length by two separate panels of well-connected insiders drawn from Australia’s political, business and cultural spheres. 

RBA governor Michele Bullock moved down to fifth place on the Overt List, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved to second, while ACTU National Secretary Sally McManus has moved up the list to fourth given the union movement’s influence on Labor. McManus is the most powerful non-government figure in Australia.

Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn is a new addition to the overt Power List – and the only business leader featured – taking out eighth position thanks to his visibility in Canberra. He was regarded by several panelists as the most persuasive voice of business. 

The inclusion of Podcast Influencers at 10th place on the Overt List signifies generational change in how politicians reach younger audiences. The Prime Minister has this year appeared twice on the Happy Hour with Lucy & Nikki, whose hosts were photographed for the issue (and who shot to fame when Albanese agreed to their challenge to use the words “delulu with no solulu” in Parliament). The Power panel also discussed the influence of Abbie Chatfield, Konrad Benjamin, Jordan van den Lamb and the Betoota Advocate.

Labor Party National Secretary Paul Erickson tops the list of Covert power players for the first time, moving up from fifth place and replacing Labor powerbroker Don Farrell. With the superannuation sector owning almost half the ASX value, the man in charge of the country’s largest fund, AustralianSuper, Paul Schroder makes the covert power list for the first time. 

Leading the Cultural Power list is the founder of RecipeTin Eats and cookbook phenomenon Nagi Maehashi, thanks to her budget-friendly recipes and mastery of what people are searching for on Google. She is followed by current world No.1 Formula One driver Oscar Piastri, with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Nicole Kidman, Mecca founder Jo Horgan, Gout Gout, Peter V’landys, Dom Dolla, theatre director Kip Williams and artists Khaled Sabsabi & Michael Dagostino featured in the Top 10. 

The issue also features a deep dive into the NSW electorate of Bradfield, a once safe blue-ribbon  seat that is now held by a Teal independent, and an examination of how Australia came to be the first place in the world to force social media giants to set a minimum age of 16. The story includes interviews with key campaigners Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, MP Anika Wells, and Inman Grant among others. Writer Sam Buckingham-Jones reveals the prime minister was initially unconvinced of the idea of a ban, but changed his mind in the midst of a powerful lobbying campaign by 36 Months, a group established to push for the change. 

The Australian Financial Review Magazine Power Issue is available nationally on Friday, September 26 and on www.afr.com 

OVERT LIST

1. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese
2. Federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers
3. Foreign Minister, Penny Wong
4. ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus
5. Reserve Bank Governor, Michele Bullock
6. Defence Minister, Richard Marles
7. Health and Disability Minister, Mark Butler
8. Commonwealth Bank CEO, Matt Comyn
9. Western Australia Premier, Roger Cook
10. The Podcast Influencers

COVERT LIST

1. ALP National Secretary, Paul Erickson
2. Trade and Tourism Minister, Don Farrell
3. Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher 
4. Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke
5. Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Tim Gartrell
6. Department of the PM and Cabinet, Steven Kennedy
7. Chairman of the Future Fund, Greg Combet
8. Policy Head, Prime Minister’s Office, Sam Trobe 
9. Chief Executive AustralianSuper, Paul Schroder 
10. Treasury Secretary, Jenny Wilkinson

CULTURAL LIST

1. Founder of RecipeTin Eats, Nagi Maehashi 
2. Formula One Driver, Oscar Piastri 
3. eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant 
4. Actor and Producer, Nicole Kidman
5. Artist and Curator, Khaled Sabsabi & Michael Dagostino 
6. Theatre Director, Kip Williams 
7. Founder of Mecca, Jo Horgan 
8. Music Producer & DJ, Dom Dolla
9. CEO Racing NSW, Chairman of Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’landys
10. Athlete, Gout Gout

Further information:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager
clynch@nine.com.au