Archives: Media Releases

Nine and Swimming Australia have today announced a landmark 10-year multi-platform media rights and sponsorship agreement through to 2034.

In swimming’s most wide-ranging broadcast deal to date, Aussie sports fans will have free access to more swimming action than ever before with Nine securing the nation’s most-watched Olympic and Paralympic sport across all platforms including the 9Network and 9Now for the next decade.

Nine’s coverage will come to life across streaming, broadcast, publishing and audio for the annual Swimming Australia calendar that includes the Australian Swimming Trials for the Olympics and Paralympics plus the Australian Short Course Championships, Australian Age Championships and Australian Open Championships.

The comprehensive agreement will ensure race meets featuring Australia’s most successful Olympic team The Dolphins will be available in every household nationally, cementing Nine as the home of swimming.

Nine’s coverage of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials saw an audience of 5.7 million tune in and the network’s swimming coverage of the Games provided the most watched moments of the Olympics and Paralympics. Looking ahead, viewers can watch elite international racing on Nine including the Pan Pacs in 2026 and 2030.

Nine Acting CEO Matt Stanton, said: “Nine is proud to provide Swimming Australia with an unrivalled multimedia platform to showcase its sport and success for the next 10 years. Sport is part of our DNA at Nine and this partnership ensures Swimming Australia has the backing and support of Nine as we head towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Nine’s Director of Sport Brent Williams, said: “The Dolphins have provided some of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. This inspiring team of fighters and superstars continues to deliver time and time again on the global stage. This deal lays the platform for Wide World of Sports to showcase the many fiercely competitive race meets, allow viewers to follow the progress of our big name athletes, and bring to the forefront the rising stars of swimming who will be our future Olympic champions all the way to Brisbane 2032.” 

Rob Woodhouse, CEO of Swimming  Australia, said: “This landmark agreement with Nine is a pivotal moment for our sport. It brings unprecedented exposure to our national teams and to the next generation of athletes that will be household names by LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

“We are always looking to enhance fan accessibility and ensure the visibility of our Dolphins inspires all Australians to swim, to improve their own wellbeing and to be part of our swimming community. This is a great win for fans old and new of swimming, and for the Dolphins, with such incredible access to the sport we love.”

Jodie Hawkins, EGM Commercial at Swimming Australia, added: “This new partnership with Nine presents an incredible opportunity for our sport. We are grateful for the support and confidence Nine has shown in swimming and look forward to continuing this relationship and expanding the influence and benefits of our great sport.

“This relationship has been pivotal in delivering high-quality events to our fans and our ongoing collaboration will be crucial as we navigate future opportunities, setting a platform for the sport to build its profile and cement itself as one of Australia’s iconic and most loved sports. 

“We would also like to thank Sport Five for their support in the development of this exciting partnership.”

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

It’s time to get down to business on Australian Open Day 10, when the quarterfinals burst to life on the 9Network from 11.30am AEDT.

First up, Coco Gauff is looking to build on her ironwoman reputation when she faces Spain’s Paula Badosa. With partner Stefanos Tsitsipas helping from the stands, Badosa is looking to claim a big scalp in Gauff after 12 months out due to injury.

Tommy Paul and Alexander Zverev will square off in the first men’s singles quarterfinal. Paul is apart of the American men’s tennis resurgence out to be the first since Andre Agassi in 2003 to win the Australian Open. While world no.2 Zverev has cruised through the opening rounds dropping just one set.

Aryna Sabalenka leads off the night session from 7.00pm against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has impressed in the opening rounds but faces an imposing task against the world no.1 and reigning women’s singles champion.

Then to top it all off, history meets destiny when 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic squares off with Carlos Alcaraz in a mouth watering match up.

Throughout the 2025 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time live, free and on any device in HD on 9Now.

Day Session	11.30am AEDT – Tuesday January 21
	Coco Gauff (USA) [3] v Paula Badosa (ESP) [11]
	Tommy Paul (USA) [12] v Alexander Zverev (GER) [2]
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Anastasia Pavlyuchencova [27]
	Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3] v Novak Djokovic (SRB) [7]

Stream – 9Now Every Match, Every Court

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

The international award-winning, true-crime series Australian Crime Stories returns with a gripping new season of The Investigators premiering Monday, February 3, at 9.05pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

ACS: The Investigators shines a spotlight on the exceptional skill, unwavering dedication and tireless determination of the nation’s most decorated detectives, as the new series delves deep into the untold stories behind Australia’s most extraordinary investigations.

Through exclusive access to police interviews and files, compelling firsthand accounts and illustrative recreations, viewers are taken step by step from the initial crime scene to the final confession or conviction, as The Investigators recounts the most pivotal and complex cases these brilliant detectives ever set out to crack.

Over six weeks, ACS: The Investigators will uncover the intricacies of high-stakes crimes, including a shocking homicide, an international drug syndicate takedown, terrifying armed robberies, a relentless manhunt for Australia’s most wanted fugitive, the capture of a most evil serial killer, and more.

ACS: The Investigators is produced by The Full Box for the 9Network.

AUSTRALIAN CRIME STORIES: THE INVESTIGATORS
PREMIERE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, AT 9.05PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

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

For further information, please contact:
Sean Salter
9Network Publicity
ssalter@nine.com.au

Monday, January 20, 2025

9News Queensland has today announced the retirement of esteemed presenter and journalist Andrew ‘Lofty’ Lofthouse, to focus on his health. 

Lofthouse has been with Nine for 17 years, 16 of those spent beside his on air partner, Melissa Downes. He first joined 9News Queensland as a weekend presenter before seamlessly transitioning to the weekday spotlight a year later, where he has been a daily constant in the lives of viewers. His long standing on air partnership with Downes has delivered Queenslanders some of the State’s biggest stories, including the devastating floods of 2011 and 2022, when he and Downes anchored live coverage from the banks of the Brisbane River. He broadcast live from the Cyclone Yasi impact zone, Christchurch after the earthquake and in Paris just last year, for Nine’s Olympic Games. 

9News Queensland News Director Brendan Hockings said: “Lofty is a rare gem and an exceptional talent. For someone so respected, he is also so humble. He is the journo who offers to carry the tripod. The colleague who makes you a cuppa. The news anchor who doesn’t see himself as any more than part of the team. The example he has set as a newsman is the gold standard. He is rare, he is loved and he is forever Nine Queensland. We wish him our love and support as he navigates this next period.”

Andrew Lofthouse said: “I’ve been in the business a long time. I’ve done a heck of a lot with Nine. It’s been an amazing privilege and a wonderful experience with the best in the business.  And of course, our incredible viewers who make it all worthwhile. I’m currently dealing with a bit of a health issue so now is a good time for me to pull back and slow down a little after a dream career. Thanks for watching!”

9News Presenter Melissa Downes said: “Andrew Lofthouse is one of the true gentlemen of the TV News business. He is incredibly passionate about quality journalism, taking an interest in every story in our bulletin. Lofty is so much more than just a colleague, he’s one of my closest friends and I’m so incredibly grateful for the 16 years we shared on the 9News desk.”

Melissa Downes will continue to present 9News Queensland until a co-presenter is appointed. 

Lofthouse’s career at Nine will be recognised at the end of tonight’s 6pm bulletin. 

For further information, please contact:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Monday, January 20, 2025

Alex De Minaur’s charge towards the finals will headline Australian Open Day 9 in huge night session from 7.00pm, live and free on the 9Network.

Facing America’s Alex Michelsen on Rod Laver Arena, the man they call ‘Demon’ is hell bent on making his first ever quarterfinals appearance at his home Slam. In their last meeting on clay at the French Open De Minaur prevailed in straight sets.

Before De Minaur is on court in the night session, women’s world no.2 Iga Swiatek faces Germany’s Eva Lys, who had her bags packed for home after losing in the qualifying rounds.

Lys claimed a lucky loser entry following a player withdrawal and now finds herself in the fourth round of a Grand Slam, the first time a women’s lucky loser has done so at the Australian Open.

Men’s world no.1 Jannik Sinner will take on Holger Rune during the day session on Channel 9. While it’s a mix of youth and experience when 38-year-old french veteran Gael Monfils meets rising American star Ben Shelton.

Throughout the 2025 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time live, free and on any device in HD on 9Now.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Monday January 20
	Elina Svitolina (UKR) [28] v Veronika Kudermetova
	Jannik Sinner (ITA) [1] v Holger Rune (DEN) [13]
	Gael Monfils (FRA) v Ben Shelton (USA) [21]
	Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [6] v Madison Keys (USA) [19]
	Lorenzo Sonega (ITA) v Learner Tien (USA)
	Emma Navarro (USA) [8] v Daria Kasatkina [9]
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Iga Swiatek (POL) [2] v Eva Lys (GER)
	Alex De Minaur (AUS) [8] v Alex Michelsen (USA)

Stream – 9Now Every Match, Every Court

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic will look to book their spots in the quaterfinals on Australian Open Day 8, live and free on the 9Network.

After conquering Wimbledon, the US Open and the French Open by the age of 21, Alcaraz has his eyes firmly on his first Australian Open Men’s title. However he will need to deal with gritty world no.15 Jack Draper, who prevailed over Aussies Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Vukic in five sets.

With 12 singles titles between them, two players with a valid ownership claim on Melbourne Park, Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, are also back on court.

Djokovic faces Brisbane International champion Jiri Lehecka, while Sabalenka comes up against Mirra Andreeva. On the path to a semifinal against reigning champion Sabalenka is Coco Gauff, who meets Belinda Bencic.

Aussies Kimberly Birrell and Olivia Gadecki are out to stay alive in the second round of the women’s doubles draw.

Throughout the 2025 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time live, free and on any device in HD on 9Now.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Sunday January 19
	Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Mirra Andreeva [14]
	Coco Gauff (USA) [3] v Belinda Bencic (SUI)
	Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3] v Jack Draper (GBR) [15]
	Donna Vekic (CRO) [18] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [27]
	Paula Badosa (ESP) [11] v Olga Danilovic (SRB)
	Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) v Tommy Paul (USA) [12]
	Ugo Humbert (FRA) [14] v Alexander Zverev (GER) [2]
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Novak Djokovic (SRB) [7] v Jiri Lehecka (CZE) [24]
	Elina Svitolina (UKR) [28] v Jasmine Paolini (ITA) [4]
	Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) v Holger Rune (DEN) [13]

Stream – 9Now Every Match, Every Court

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Alex de Minaur is out to continue his charge through the opening rounds during the day session of Australian Open Day 7, live and free on the 9Network.

Yet to drop a set, De Minaur faces seeded Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, who has built a giant killing reputation with 11 wins against top ten ranked players since 2022.

Danielle Collins makes her way onto Rod Laver Arena for an all-American clash with Madison Keys. Collins has adopted the villain role comfortably with the local crowds and will be more than prepared to feed off the crowd’s energy if required.

Reigning champion Jannik Sinner leads off the night session on Channel 9, while Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz are on court in the day session.

Throughout the 2025 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time live, free and on any device in HD on 9Now.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Saturday January 18
	Tristan Schoolkate (AUS)/Adam Walton (AUS) v Austin Krajicek (USA)/Rajeev Ram (USA)
	Emma Raducanu (GBR) v Iga Swiatek (POL) [2]
	Alex de Minaur (AUS) [8] v Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
	Ben Shelton (USA) [21] v Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) [16]
	Alex Michelsen (USA) v Karen Khachanov [19]
	Emma Narvarro (USA) [8] v Ons Jabeur (TUN)
	Taylor Fritz (USA) [4] v Gael Monfils (FRA)
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Jannik Sinner (ITA) [1] v Marcos Giron (USA)
	Danielle Collins (USA) [10] v Madison Keys (USA) [19]
	Elina Svitolina (UKR) [28] v Jasmine Paolini (ITA) [4]
	Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) v Holger Rune (DEN) [13]

Stream – 9Now Every Match, Every Court

Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA)[15] v Veronika Kudermetova – Day Session

Corentin Moutet (FRA) v Learner Tien (USA)[Q] – Day Session

Friday, January 17, 2025

The groundbreaking docu-series Big Miracles returns to offer viewers an intimate look into some of Australia’s most remarkable stories of IVF and infertility on Wednesday, February 5, at 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

In this emotionally charged new season, narrated again by Lisa McCune, a light will shine on an issue that affects millions worldwide, with one in six couples struggling with infertility each year in Australia alone. 

We will meet new singles and couples hoping to overcome impossible odds and witness the ultimate story of selflessness and hope involving two sisters, one born without a uterus, the other prepared to give her sister and best friend the greatest gift of all. 

When this extraordinary series began filming four years ago, we met the first brave participants willing to share the most intimate moments of their lives. A couple in their late 40s, Sheila and Tyson, captured hearts from the beginning and finally, in the new season premiere, after much heartache and hope, they will welcome their miracle baby. But it won’t be easy.

Big Miracles will also follow hopeful mums who have decided to go it alone, including TV personality Angie Kent. Despite facing multiple fertility-related conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis that will challenge her fertility, Angie is determined to have a baby on her own. 

Every day the medical technology in and around IVF offers more possibilities to those battling inconceivable odds, like returning couples Ilina and Nick, who are faced with one of the most difficult fertility cases doctors have seen, and Christie and Perry, who spent two years struggling with unexplained infertility before receiving a positive pregnancy result in season two. 

Providing unprecedented access to fertility clinics across Australia, Big Miracles highlights the dedication and expertise of the doctors, scientists and nurses helping hopeful parents achieve their dreams. 

The inspiring new journeys in season three track couples including Alicia and Chris and Kaiti and Sally, who are hoping to overcome the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, as well as single Anna, who is embarking on a solo road to motherhood with the support of her girlfriends.  

In the final episode, a moving wrap-up will revisit all the beautiful stories told throughout the three seasons and the courageous individuals who have shared their struggles, dreams and heartbreaks. It’s a celebration of the miracles that can be created through love and determination with the help of the wonderful world of modern fertility medicine.  

Filmed over the course of four years and documenting the physical, financial and emotional road to parenthood, this powerful series demonstrates the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. 

Big Miracles Season Three is produced by Ronde Media for the 9Network. Post, digital and visual effects are supported by Screen NSW.

BIG MIRACLES RETURNS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, AT 9.00PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

MEDIA KIT, EPISODES AND IMAGES AVAILABLE
ON NINE MEDIA ROOM

For further information, please contact:
Aimee Ball
9Network Publicity
aimee.ball@nine.com.au 

Friday, January 17, 2025

Award-winning talk radio journalist and broadcaster Clinton Maynard has been announced as the new host of the 2GB Drive program in 2025.  

Sydney Now with Clinton Maynard will launch on Monday 27 January 2025, airing from 3.00-6.00pm.

Maynard has won four Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) including the Brian White Award for Excellence in Journalism for the last three years (2022, 2023, 2024). He has also won a Kennedy Award and been a Walkley Award finalist. 

He has covered some of the biggest stories of recent years, including the COVID pandemic (attending more than 180 press conferences), the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll, the Boxing Day Tsunami, Shapelle Corby’s sentence, the arrest of the Bali Nine, the rescue of the Beaconsfield Miners, the Olympic Games, as well as countless floods, fires and protests.

Clinton Maynard said, “When I was 15, I walked into 2GB’s studio as a work experience kid in love with talk radio and spent a week with the Drive Show. To be appointed to present that same show, three decades later, is a dream come true. I can’t wait to talk about what matters to our Sydney listeners every day and have a few laughs along the way.”

2GB Content Manager, Luke Davis said, “Clinton Maynard is a talk radio specialist. He has dedicated his life and career to the medium and knows how to tell a story, entertain and connect with audiences. As we enter this new era of 2GB Drive, and a federal election year, there is no one better placed to dissect the issues that matter to Sydneysiders on their drive home than Clinton Maynard. He’s ready and raring to go.”

Maynard joined the 2UE newsroom as a cadet journalist in 1997 and went on to become a crime reporter, political reporter and eventually the News Director and Content Director at the station.

As a presenter, he has hosted news talk programs on 2UE, Macquarie Sports Radio and 2GB, where most recently he has been the Weekday Overnights host and the regular fill-in presenter on 2GB Drive.

Sydney Now with Clinton Maynard will launch on Monday 27 January 2025.

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

Friday, January 17, 2025

It’s big names and big games on Australian Open Day 6 when Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are ready to roll, live and free on the 9Network.

Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic will fight to stay alive in the men’s singles draw, alongside countryman Alex De Minaur, when Vukic meets the United Kingdom’s Jack Draper, for a third round match up during the night session.

After overcoming the local crowd in an epic five set win against Thanasi Kokkinakis, world no.15 Draper will be wary of the unseeded Aussie looking to pull off another underdog victory.

Plus Paris 2024 men’s doubles gold medalist Matt Ebden gets his AO25 campaign underway in the first round of the doubles draw.

Throughout the 2025 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, at any time live, free and on any device in HD on 9Now.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Friday January 17
	Matthew Ebden (AUS)/Joran Vliegen (BEL) [9] v Krajicek/Ram (USA)
	Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Clara Tauson (DEN)
	Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3] v Nuno Borges (POR)
	Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Belinda Bencic (SUI)
	Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Laura Siegemund (GER)
	Diana Shnaider [12] v Donna Vekic (CRO) [18]
	Alexander Zverev (GER) [2] v Jacob Fearnley (GBR)
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Coco Gauff (USA) [3] v Leylah Fernandez (CAN) [30]
	Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v Jack Draper (GBR) [15]
	Novak Djokovic (SRB) [7] v Tomas Machac (CZE) [26]
	Jessica Pegula (USA) [7] v Olga Danilovic (SRB)

Stream – 9Now Every Match, Every Court

Tommy Paul (USA)[12] v Roberto Carballes Baena (SPA) – Day Session

Thursday, January 16, 2025