Archives: Media Releases

The 9Network today announced that journalist and sports presenter Michael Atkinson will officially join the Weekend Today team as co-host, alongside Alison Piotrowski.

After a summer stint on the desk, Atkinson now joins the team permanently, a reliable and familiar presence for viewers each weekend.

Atkinson said: “I’m excited and proud to be joining the Today family and becoming part of a program that’s such a trusted part of Australians’ weekends. I grew up in regional Queensland where weekends are about family, sport and catching up on what matters, so this role feels especially meaningful.

“I’ve always had a passion for sport and the impact it has on our lives, so I’m fortunate to be continuing to host Stan Sport’s rugby coverage and my love for live sport, while taking on my new role co-hosting Weekend Today.

“I’m very lucky to be working alongside such professionals and outstanding people in Ali, Lizzie and Dan, as well as the exceptional team behind the cameras.”

Alison Piotrowski said: “Michael jumped into the hot seat over summer and took to the show like a duck to water. He’s sports mad, incredibly knowledgeable, and has a wonderful sense of humour. We’re looking forward to making Weekend Today even better for our viewers in 2026.”

Raised in the country towns of south-west Queensland, St George and Quilpie, Atkinson grew to love sport and his early childhood consisted of rugby league, swimming, cricket, tennis and horse racing.

His media career began at 29, and he worked across 9News Gold Coast and Brisbane as a sports journalist and presenter. He has also contributed to significant broadcasts with Nine’s Wide World of Sports, including the Brisbane International and Suncorp Super Netball, and will continue to work with Stan Sport.

Michael is an ambassador for Youngcare and he completed a 250km trek in 2021 through the Simpson Desert to support the disability charity.

Friday 6 February, 2026

AO Men’s Final the highest-rating in VOZ history
AO Men’s Final the highest-rating AO session on BVOD ever
AO Men’s Final the highest-rating since 2017
AO Women’s Final the highest-rating since 2022

9Network’s exclusive coverage of the 2026 Australian Open has delivered huge results and stellar year-on-year growth, reaching over 14.31 million Australians across the two-week broadcast – an increase of 9.3% year-on-year.

Last night’s 2026 Australian Open – Men’s Final was Australia’s dominant No.1 program. It captivated the nation as Carlos Alcaraz claimed his maiden Australian Open title in a nail-biting showdown against Novak Djokovic, drawing a massive Total TV Reach of 6.302 million and a National Total TV audience of 3.448 million – up 67.0% year-on-year.

Across BVOD, the 2026 Australian Open – Men’s Final was the highest-rating Men’s Final in VOZ history and the highest-rating AO session on BVOD ever, claiming 905,000 viewers – up 135.7% year-on-year. 

Furthermore, the 2026 Australian Open – Men’s Final significantly increased Total TV audiences across all metro markets: 

• Sydney         Up 75.5% year-on-year (732,000 vs 417,000)
• Melbourne    Up 57.2% year-on-year (954,000 vs 607,000)
• Brisbane       Up 95.1% year-on-year (435,000 vs 223,000)
• Adelaide       Up 75.9% year-on-year (204,000 vs 116,000)
• Perth             Up 77.3% year-on-year (195,000 vs 110,000) 

The 2026 Australian Open – Women’s Final, featuring Elena Rybakina’s victory over Aryna Sabalenka delivered a National Total TV Reach of 3.816 million viewers and a National Total TV Average Audience of 2.135 million – up 30.1% year-on-year. It also secured a BVOD audience of 500,000 – up a massive 106.6% on last year. 

The 2026 Australian Open – Women’s Final was the highest-rating Women’s singles final since Ash Barty won in 2022 for Total TV. 

In addition, the 2026 Australian Open – Women’s Final increased its Total TV audiences across all markets: 

• Sydney         Up 48.5% year-on-year (432,000 vs 291,000)
• Melbourne    Up 34.5% year-on-year (627,000 vs 466,000)
• Brisbane       Up 72.9% year-on-year (268,000 vs 155,000)
• Adelaide       Up 26.8% year-on-year (123,000 vs 97,000)
• Perth             Up 6.3% year-on-year (84,000 vs 79,000) 

The 2026 Australian Open Day 13 Night Session, featuring the epic semi-final battle where Carlos Alcaraz claimed victory over Alexander Zverev, achieved a National Total TV Reach of 3.657 million viewers, a National Total TV Average Audience of 1.974 million (up 83.6% on the same night last year) and a BVOD audience of 427,000 – up a massive 160.6% year-on-year.

Furthermore, the 2026 Australian Open Day 13 Night Session 2 with Novak Djokovic’s incredible five set win over defending AO champion Jannik Sinner, recorded a National Total TV Reach of 3.209 million, a National Total TV Average Audience of 1.757 million (up 65.9% on the same night last year) and a BVOD audience of 456,000 – up a massive 151.9% year-on-year.

Brent Williams, Nine’s Director of Sport, said: “The 2026 Australian Open has once again proven it’s the undisputed king of the summer of sport. The energy was there from the get go – the ‘one-point slam’ during the pre-week was a massive moment that really ignited the fans early and set the stage for everything that followed.

“Seeing such huge year-on-year growth across the fortnight is a credit to the incredible athletes and the world-class production from our Wide World of Sports team. By partnering with Tennis Australia, we’ve delivered a multi-platform experience that brings fans closer to their heroes than ever.

“The Australian viewers have responded in record numbers, proving that Nine remains the premier destination for world-class sport.”

Monday 2 February, 2026

Deal cements 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport as the Home of Tennis in Australia

Nine today announced it has secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to The Championships, Wimbledon through to 2029, extending its partnership with The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) in a major multi-year tennis rights agreement spanning the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.

With Wimbledon remaining within Nine Group’s premium sport portfolio, the extension further strengthens Nine’s leadership in bringing the sport’s most significant tennis events to Australian audiences, encompassing all four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Australian audiences will continue to experience one of the world’s most iconic sporting events at scale, combining live and free broadcast reach with the most complete streaming coverage available – including 4K UHD where available on Stan Sport.

Matt Stanton, Chief Executive Officer, Nine, said: “Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious properties in global sport, and securing its long-term future with Nine is an important outcome for the Group. The extension reflects our disciplined approach to rights investment and our confidence in the enduring value of premium sport delivered at scale.”

Amanda Laing, Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast, Nine, said: “This agreement underscores the way we think about major sport at Nine – not as a single moment, but as an experience built across platforms. Through the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport, our role is to make Wimbledon accessible, immersive and relevant for Australian audiences, wherever and however they choose to watch.”

Paul Davies, Associate Director, Broadcast, Production & Media Rights, AELTC, said: “We are delighted to extend our media rights agreement with Nine, a partnership that reflects our shared commitment to making world-class tennis accessible to the widest possible audience. Nine’s free-to-air reach, combined with its powerful multi-platform offering, will ensure Wimbledon continues to be experienced by millions of fans across Australia, and we look forward to working with Nine to showcase the traditions, drama and excellence of The Championships in compelling and innovative ways.”

Under the renewed agreement, Nine will deliver:

• Exclusive Australian rights across all platforms, encompassing free-to-air, streaming, subscription and digital.
• Live and free broadcast coverage on the 9Network and 9Now, including key matches across the tournament.
• Extensive coverage streaming on Stan Sport, including a comprehensive on-demand offering of daily highlights, mini matches and 4K UHD where available.
• Daily Highlights, produced by the AELTC, available across the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.

This renewal reinforces the breadth of Nine’s tennis portfolio, providing Australian audiences with unparalleled access to the sport’s biggest events across free-to-air, streaming and subscription platforms.

Wimbledon will continue to be available across the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport in 2026 under the existing rights agreement.

Monday 2 February, 2026

A generational clash between two giants of world tennis will come to life, when world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic collide in the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final on Channel 9 and 9Now.

In coverage tomorrow – Sunday, February 1 from 6.30pm AEDT, with a one hour preshow before a dream men’s final where two titans with an age difference of 16 years meet on Rod Laver Arena.

For 22-year-old Spanish sensation Alcaraz, a win would make him the youngest in history to complete the career grand slam, surpassing the record set by his countryman Rafael Nadal.

While 38-year-old Serbian legend Novak Djokovic, is chasing his 11th Australian Open and has never been beaten in an AO final, plus a record-extending 25th grand slam title, which would make him the oldest grand slam champion in AO history

In two previous grand slam finals it was Alzacaz who prevailed (both at Wimbledon), but the king of Melbourne Park can never be ruled out, just as he proved in a thrilling five set semi-final win over reigning AO champion Jannik Sinner.  

Expert commentary will includes Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.

The Afternoon Serve is live from 4.00pm AEDT when the team wraps up another huge two weeks of grand slam tennis, and a few laughs along the way.

Night Session	6.30pm AEDT – Sunday, February 1
	Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [1] v Novak Djokovic (SRB) [4]
Stream – 9Now	Every Match, Every Court – Live and Free

Throughout the 2026 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now.

Stan Sport has Every match. Live and on demand. Centre Court in 4K.

Saturday 31 January, 2026

The stage is set for Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to fight for victory in the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles final tomorrow – Saturday, January 31 from 6.30pm AEDT on the 9Network.

Two of the most powerful hitters in women’s tennis will serve up the next chapter in their growing rivalry when Sabalenka chases her third AO title, and Rybakina looks to deliver revenge after losing the 2023 final against the same opponent.

Sabalenka has flexed on her opponents throughout the tournament so far to continue her dominance at Melbourne Park, where she has lost only four of 57 sets played at the AO over the last four years.

Despite Sabalenka’s impressive record in Australia, defeat in last year’s final has only thrown fuel on the fire in her journey back to the summit on Rod Laver Arena.

Rybakina presents as a tough opponent with a head-to-head record of 6 wins in 14 meetings, as the 2022 Wimbledon champion looks to fight fire with fire from the service line.

Aussie’s Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans will headline the day session in the final of the men’s doubles from 12.00pm AEDT in a huge day of grand slam tennis.

The Morning Serve is live from 11.00am AEDT before day session coverage is live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now from 12.00pm AEDT.

Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Saturday, January 31
	Anna Danilina (KAZ)/Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) [7] v Elise Mertens (BEL)/Shuai Zhang (CHN) [4]
	Jason Kubler (AUS)/Marc Polmans (AUS) v Christian Harrison (USA)/Neal Skupski (GBR) [6]
Night Session	6.30pm AEDT – Saturday, January 31
	Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [5]
Stream – 9Now	Every Match, Every Court – Live and Free

Throughout the 2026 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now.

Stan Sport has Every match. Live and on demand. Centre Court in 4K.

Friday 30 January, 2026