Archives: Media Releases

OVER TWO MASSIVE NIGHTS,
70 YEARS OF TELEVISION CELEBRATES
THE MOMENTS THAT SHAPED A NATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, AND SEPTEMBER 16,
AT 8.45PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

From Bruce Gyngell ushering in Australian TV with “Welcome to Television” on September 16, 1956, to laugh-out-loud comedy, unforgettable music moments and the live sporting victories that united a nation, 70 Years of Television will take viewers on a nostalgic journey through seven decades of Australian TV history.

Over two unmissable nights, Wednesday, September 9, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now, this landmark retrospective will feature interviews and archival footage to look back at the triumphs, scandals and defining screen moments that captured generations across variety, news, current affairs, sport, reality and drama.

Bringing together an all-star lineup of Australia’s biggest names and legendary personalities, 70 Years of Television includes Hamish Blake, Julia Morris, Tracy Grimshaw, David Koch, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Patti Newton, Ray Martin, Catriona Rowntree, Sigrid Thornton and Ken Sutcliffe, who share their personal reflections and memories.

The special covers every corner of the TV landscape. Episode one charts the evolution of Australian television – from how “the box” became the centrepiece of the living room, to classic variety stars like Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton, and our distinct Aussie sense of humour that shone through in shows like The Comedy Company, Kath & Kim and Summer Heights High.

It revisits the music shows that soundtracked generations (Bandstand, Countdown, MTV and Rage), reflects on the trusted news anchors who guided us through major historical moments, dives into the birth of breakfast television and the “Morning Wars”, and relives the fabulous sporting victories – like Cathy Freeman’s historic 400m gold medal at the Sydney Olympics – that brought the entire country together.

The celebration continues in episode two, showcasing the full spectrum of Australia’s most loved programs that defined our screen culture. It looks back at the golden age of kids TV – from nostalgic classics like Mr Squiggle and Agro, to the global phenomenon of Bluey, alongside variety favourites like Hey Hey It’s Saturday and the evolution of the game show, from Sale of the Century to Tipping Point.

It honours the legacy of hard-hitting current affairs built on trust and accountability, alongside the classic advertising jingles we still can’t stop quoting. Viewers will also revisit the lifestyle staples that transformed our homes (Changing Rooms, Backyard Blitz), the explosive reality TV clashes and format fusions we couldn’t look away from (Big Brother, The Block, MAFS), and the timeless dramas like Blue Heelers and McLeod’s Daughters that won our hearts.

70 Years of Television is a production by Nine’s Long-form Unit.

70 YEARS OF TELEVISION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, AND SEPTEMBER 16,
AT 8.45PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Wednesday 2 September, 2026

The countdown to the 2026-27 Hungry Jack’s NBL season is officially on, with the 9Network delivering all 10 matches of the 2026 CODE Sports NBL Blitz live and free to basketball fans across Australia on 9Now.

Tipping off from September 2 to 6 in Bendigo, the pre-season tournament marks the first look at revamped rosters for all 10 NBL teams, including NBA legend Joe Ingles making his highly anticipated return to play in Australia.

This year’s Blitz launches Nine’s major new multi-platform rights partnership with the NBL, bringing the league back to Nine screens for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Every match will be available live and free alongside highlights and mini-games, making 9Now the ultimate digital destination for Australian basketball.

NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson, said:

“The NBL is excited to tip off its new partnership with Nine at the 2026 NBL Blitz in Bendigo. The Blitz continues to grow each year, and our new partnership with Nine will elevate the tournament, broadcasting all 10 matches into more homes than ever.
“Following a record-breaking season, this partnership with Nine is about building on momentum and making our game more accessible. Nine’s scale and storytelling capability will help to create new fans and amplify the visibility of our clubs and players.”

Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said:

“Nine is thrilled to be launching our NBL partnership with the 2026 NBL Blitz. It’s an exciting format that continues to grow and engage a new generation of fans, NBL diehards and sports lovers in general. 
“It provides a great opportunity to showcase these phenomenal athletes and tell their stories, with every match available live and free across the country.”

Last year, the League enjoyed significant growth across attendance and broadcast audiences, breaking its all-time attendance record with 1,231,796 fans attending games.

Live game streaming grew by 21 per cent season-on-season, marking back-to-back years of 20 per cent growth, while average audiences on free-to-air television increased by 18 per cent compared with the previous season. 

The action tips off in Bendigo on Wednesday, September 2, when the Cairns Taipans clash with the Perth Wildcats.

2026 CODE SPORTS NBL BLITZ SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, September 2
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats                                   5.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now
Sydney Kings vs South East Melbourne Phoenix          8.00pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now

Thursday, September 3
Brisbane Bullets vs Tasmania JackJumpers                   5.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now
Illawarra Hawks vs Adelaide 36ers                                 8.00pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now

Friday, September 4
New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney Kings                        5.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now
Perth Wildcasts vs Melbourne United                             8.00pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now

Saturday, September 5
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Brisbane Bullets       5.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now
Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans                                   8.00pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now

Sunday, September 6
Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks                             5.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now
Tasmania JackJumpers vs New Zealand Breakers         8.00pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9Now

STREAM THE 2026 NBL BLITZ LIVE AND FREE
FROM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, ON 9NOW

Tuesday 1 September, 2026

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, FROM 6.00PM AEST
LIVE ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

Brisbane’s skyline will light up when Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust dazzles the city following a special 9News Queensland bulletin this Saturday, September 5, from 6.00pm AEST, exclusively on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Marking a spectacular opening of the Brisbane Festival 2026, the river city will burst with colour on Saturday night. As crowds flock to vantage points along the Brisbane River, Queenslanders can secure front-row seats to every breathtaking explosion exclusively on Channel 9 and 9Now.

9News Queensland’s leading duo of presenters, Melissa Downes and Joel Dry, return to host the exclusive broadcast. Live from the top of Flight Centre HQ, they will guide viewers through every spark of the main event, bringing the magic of Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust into homes across the state.

Joel Dry said:

“Returning to host Riverfire alongside Melissa is a highlight of the year. There is incredible electricity in Brisbane on the night. You can practically feel the city buzzing, and we’ll share that energy with everyone watching at home.”

Melissa Downes added:

“Riverfire just gets better and better. And after 16 years of hosting this fabulous event, the sight of the Brisbane skyline coming to life never ceases to amaze me. It is such a privilege to showcase our beautiful city at its most dazzling.”

Adding to the fun, Luke Bradnam will deliver 9News Queensland’s weather forecast live from the ultimate riverside hangout, Howard Smith Wharves. He’ll be joined for the fireworks display by 16 lucky Queenslanders who’ve scored the best seat in the house, soaking up the electric atmosphere from the exclusive Australian Retirement Trust ‘Monster Seats’ competition.

Queenslanders statewide won’t miss a single spark or explosion, as Nine’s exclusive broadcast ensures an uninterrupted, breathtaking experience for everyone from the comfort of their own home.

Catch the sparks from Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust this Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 6.00pm AEST exclusively on Channel 9 and 9Now.  

Tuesday 1 September, 2026

After seven years and more than 900 flights, Today weather presenter Tim Davies will read his last forecast on Friday 18 September 2026. 

Since joining the show in 2019, Tim has brought energy and enthusiasm to communities and audiences throughout Australia and around the world. He has skydived, bungee jumped, abseiled off some of the most thrilling and death-defying attractions, gone swimming with sharks and crocodiles, raced performance vehicles, and performed acrobatics all live on air. 

Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, said:

“Tim is a much loved member of the Today hosting family and he leaves enormous shoes to fill. During his time, he’s given a platform to small towns and communities, showcasing their people and causes to a national audience, and that will leave a lasting impact.
“We are fully supportive of Tim laying down some roots after seven years of living out of a suitcase. I’d like to thank Tim for all he’s contributed to the show. I know the team and the audience will greatly miss him.”

Tim Davies said:

“People always tell me I’ve got the best job in TV and they’re not wrong. Working alongside the best broadcasters, travelling to new destinations daily and showcasing incredible Aussies is a privilege. 
“Not all journos get to deliver good news, good vibes and a smile with each story, so having achieved all that and so much more – this seems like the right time to step back, enjoy a sleep in, take a break without a camera crew and prepare for my next adventure.”

An announcement on Tim’s replacement will be made soon.

Friday 28 August, 2026

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, AT 8.45PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Marking the 20-year anniversary of when the world lost one of its most passionate wildlife conservationists, a documentary special, Steve Irwin: A Wild Life, will premiere on Wednesday, September 2, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Featuring never-before-seen footage from a 2002 60 Minutes interview conducted by Charles Wooley and exclusive interviews with Steve’s inner circle, the special presents a deeply personal, unfiltered exploration of Steve Irwin’s remarkable journey, enduring passion and public legacy.

Steve’s longtime cameraman Justin Lyons speaks about witnessing his death, sharing more detail than ever in his first documentary interview. The special brings together key figures from Irwin’s life, including the TV producer and manager John Stainton who discovered his footage and launched his global career; right-hand wildlife teammate Brian “Briano” Coulter; high school friend Chris White; former Animal Planet head Clark Bunting; world champion surfer, friend and fan Kelly Slater; and country music legend and friend John Williamson. 

Steve Irwin: A Wild Life traces Irwin’s journey from catching wild crocodiles in Queensland alongside his father Bob to building Australia Zoo and achieving unscripted global stardom. It is a candid look at his pioneering “conservation through entertainment” mission, the intense public scrutiny he faced, and the global legacy carried on by his family today. 

Steve Irwin: A Wild Life is produced by 60 Minutes for the 9Network. 

STEVE IRWIN: A WILD LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, AT 8.45PM
ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

Wednesday 26 August, 2026

Traveller, Australia’s most influential travel media brand published across The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday has today announced the appointment of Justine Cullen as Editorial and Strategy Director.

Cullen will lead the editorial vision for Traveller as it accelerates into a dynamic multi-platform offering, deepening subscriber engagement and driving innovative commercial partnerships. She will oversee content strategy across digital, social, video, audio and events, doubling down on Traveller’s expertise and human-led storytelling and expanding on the success of its biannual gloss magazine editions.

Justine is one of Australia’s most recognised and award-winning editors, with extensive experience spanning print, digital, social, and podcasts. 

She previously served as Editor-in-Chief of InStyle Australia and Chief Creative Officer of True North Media. Prior to that, she was the founding Editor-in-Chief for the Australian relaunch of ELLE magazine. 

“Justine is a visionary editor and strategist who knows how to build culturally resonant media brands,” said Julia Naughton, Head of Life – Lifestyle, Travel & Culture.
“As we look to the next decade of growth, Justine’s expertise will be instrumental in ensuring Traveller remains the premier destination for travel inspiration, while broadening our reach across all platforms.”

Speaking on her appointment, Cullen expressed her enthusiasm for guiding Traveller into a new era.

“Joining Traveller is an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of a brand that has unparalleled authority and expertise in the Australian travel space, right as the world shifts ever more towards an experience economy,” said Cullen. 
“I’m excited to work with such a trusted team of journalists, and to use creativity and curiosity to deepen Traveller’s connection with existing and new audiences in different ways, across different platforms.”

Traveller has a combined audience of 1.9 million across digital, print and social platforms. 

Cullen will be based in the Sydney newsroom and officially commences her role on August 24.

Monday 24 August, 2026

Digital outdoor media leader QMS today announced the promotion of Ben Gibb to the newly created position of Managing Director – New Zealand.

Having previously served as National Sales Director, NZ, Mr Gibb will now steer the overall strategic direction and business execution across the New Zealand market, unifying the local team as QMS accelerates the momentum of its market proposition as Aotearoa’s total Out of Home (OOH) audience solution. 

Mr Gibb is one of New Zealand’s most respected media leaders, with more than 20 years’ experience across Out of Home, Television, Digital, and Publishing, having previously held senior leadership roles at Sky New Zealand, oOh!media, Adshel, and Yahoo.

QMS Chief Executive Officer, John O’Neill, said:

“Ben is perfectly placed to lead our New Zealand business forward as we execute on our strategic objectives and cement our number one OOH position in the market. 
“He is a highly respected operator who brings a calm, measured and unifying influence to the team. Since joining QMS, Ben has demonstrated an incredible ability to empower our people, strengthen our culture, and deliver outstanding results. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to unlock the full potential of our multi-format network across New Zealand.” 

Mr Gibb said:

“It’s a really exciting time to be at QMS as we rapidly expand our network with new premium assets including the much anticipated CRL opening and our new Auckland Street Furniture network. We launched the QMS brand in NZ earlier in the year and have already established a strong foundation as Aotearoa’s total OOH audience solution, bringing together unmatched scale, market dominance, and format breadth under a single, unified offering. 
“I look forward to leading our business forward, aligning our team, and continuing to elevate how we partner with media agencies and advertisers to deliver innovative, high-impact campaigns across the country.”

Mr Gibb’s appointment is effective immediately.

Wednesday 19 August, 2026

Leading Digital Out of Home (DOOH) media company QMS has today launched its next iteration of landmark Attention research, Turning Attention into Brand Equity: Digital Out of Home’s Superpower, revealing that DOOH requires far less active attention than traditional digital channels to drive both immediate sales and build long-term memory encoding.

Partnering once again with world-leading attention measurement firm Amplified, the latest study expands the scope of the original 2024 study to capture both vehicular and pedestrian traffic across Digital Large Format billboards and City of Sydney Street Furniture.

Analysing over 400 hours of footage across 9 days, 200 plus campaigns, and over 12,000 real-time biometric ad views from 300 participants, the research provides the most comprehensive study of human attention and of how consumers naturally move through and interact with outdoor assets and environments.

The landmark study reveals DOOH’s commercial superpower of driving a powerful dual effect that simultaneously triggers immediate, short-term sales uplift while compounding long-term brand memory.

Where traditional digital channels require a 2.5-second active attention exposure threshold to register an impact, the DOOH advantage triggers positive outcomes by delivering measurable brand equity and sales response at around just 1.0 active second.

This rapid payoff is supported by DOOH’s substantial attention footprint, averaging 24.2 seconds across City of Sydney assets and 13.9 seconds across Large Format roadside billboards. Here, time-in-view demonstrated that it creates the opportunity to engage, with passive attention working for active attention rather than against it.

The research also underscores creative effectiveness as the ultimate performance multiplier, proving that while good creative earns attention, strong, distinctive branding is what ultimately banks the equity. By mapping how attention behaves across pedestrian and driving routes, the study gives advertisers a clear blueprint of how to optimise site mix, flighting, and creative execution for maximum ROI.

Amplified Founder and CEO, Professor Karen Nelson-Field, said the findings are significant and reinforce how DOOH has evolved to be an essential, high-efficiency anchor in modern media plans.

“What stands out in this study is the efficiency of DOOH. In many digital environments, we typically look for around 2.5 seconds of active attention to begin seeing an effect, particularly for memory. Here, DOOH begins to deliver measurable brand and sales outcomes at around one active second. That doesn’t mean attention is easy to earn, but it does show that in the right environment, even a short active glance can do valuable commercial work.
“The study also reinforces that media and creative cannot be separated. DOOH creates the opportunity for attention, but visible distinctiveness is what banks that attention into brand equity. Good creative earns the glance; strong branding ensures the brand gets the credit.
“For advertisers, the implication is clear: the strongest outcomes come when site selection, time-in-view and distinctive creative are planned together.”

QMS Chief Strategy Officer, Christian Zavecz, said expanding the study was the natural next step to give advertisers a complete, real world understanding of how Digital OOH delivers impact across different physical environments.

“What we’ve uncovered is that DOOH operates on a completely different attention model. You don’t need 3 to 5 seconds of viewing, instead with DOOH all that is needed is just one active second on a high-impact DOOH screen and brands can deliver both immediate action and create long-term brand equity which is crucial for marketers to build great brands.”
“QMS is proud to continue leading the global conversation around attention in OOH and its subsequent media accountability. Our inaugural Attention study established that the channel commands powerful attention, but our latest findings provide granular, real-world detail across both driving and pedestrian journeys to prove DOOH’s true superpower and its ability to play a major part in omnichannel campaign solutions.”

OMD Chief Planning Officer, Thad King, welcomed the second phase of research, noting its practical value for agency planners and strategists looking to optimise campaign effectiveness.

“The value of this research isn’t simply proving that attention matters. It’s helping us understand what kind of attention thresholds drive different outcomes across different environments, which is a meaningful shift for planners. Understanding how active and passive attention work together gives us a stronger foundation for designing more effective media experiences.
“QMS’ continued investment in this research moves attention beyond a standalone metric and into a practical planning tool, providing valuable evidence on how creative, context and channel design work together to build memory, create relevance, influence behaviour and improve campaign effectiveness.
“Ultimately, it helps planners make better decisions about format mix, flighting and creative deployment to drive stronger business outcomes for clients.”

Wednesday 12 August, 2026

AUSTRALIA’S DOLPHINS MEET THE MIGHT OF TEAM USA
FROM THURSDAY AUGUST 13 

Australia’s elite swimming stars are set to reignite one of world sport’s most heated sporting rivalries when the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships are live and free on the 9Network and 9Now from Irvine, California on Thursday August 13.

Taking place in the home pool of Team USA, Across four days of action, the Australian Dolphins will go toe-to-toe with the American powerhouse Team USA in a high-stakes showdown consisting of the world’s best swimmers outside of Europe, with Japan, Canada, South Africa and Brazil 

Finals will take place daily from 12.00pm AEST on Channel 9 and 9Now, expect explosive showdowns in the sprint freestyles, relay battles, and individual medley showdowns as world-record holders and rising stars collide.

Leading the charge for the Dolphins will be team flag bearer Meg Harris, Lani Pallister, Sam Short, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Isaac Cooper, Kai Taylor, Sienna Toohey, Sam Williamson and Elijah Winnington. 

They face some big name opposition that includes Summer McIntosh from Canada, along with the strong American squad featuring the most decorated female swimmer in history Katie Ledecky plus teammates Gretchen Walsh and Regan Smith.

PAN PACIFIC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

THURSDAY AUGUST 13

LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Friday 7 August, 2026

9News has today reached a major milestone in its ‘Future News’ transformation program, with the first live bulletin successfully broadcast using cloud-based news production and curation technologies. In the process, the 9Network has become the first free-to-air broadcaster in the country to achieve this.

9News Morning, anchored by respected presenter Deborah Knight, was produced and aired via storycentric newsroom control and rundown system, Saga, and Mimir, a central cloud media collaboration and asset management platform. 9News is the first Australian newsroom to utilise this technology combination which was built bespoke for Nine’s needs.

Since January 2025, Nine has been undertaking the largest transformation in its history of its TV news production and workflows, under the leadership of Executive Director News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear. It embraces automated capabilities, digital personalisation, and AI, which will streamline production processes for journalists. Due for national completion by the end of 2027, Future News is the largest project under Nine’s strategic transformation program, Nine2028, and the biggest investment by Nine in news and current affairs in decades. 

Nine Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast, Amanda Laing, said:

“News is our bedrock and a critical pillar of premium content for Nine. 
“Audience behaviour has changed and Australians are consuming news on platforms that best suit their needs. We can now meet them where they are faster than ever before – with important and trusted stories that matter. This is a game changer for Nine, 9News and our audiences,” Ms Laing said. 

Nine Executive Director, News and Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, said:

“Over the past few years, 9News and Current Affairs has seen strong growth across its digital channels and Total TV audiences. Future News allows us to capitalise on this growth in a way we have been unable to previously, positioning us well for the future. 
“While newsrooms have been required to adapt to new technology over the years, we have never fundamentally changed the way news is produced – and that’s exactly what we’ve achieved. We are building a modern, multiskilled newsroom and I’m incredibly proud of the team who have trained and worked tirelessly to execute this transition in a live news environment,”
Ms Dear said. 

Nine’s Video Content team who produce and publish to 9News and Current Affairs social media channels also began utilising the new technology suite today, while 9News Sydney’s 4pm and 6pm bulletins will cutover in October, followed by the Today Shows in November.

Wednesday 5 August, 2026