Archives: Media Releases

9Network announces world class Paralympic Games coverage line up for Paris 2024

DYLAN ALCOTT, SYLVIA JEFFREYS, ELLIE COLE, JAMES BRACEY, BLAKE COCHRANE,
TODD WOODBRIDGE, ROZ KELLY AND KURT FEARNLEY LEAD NINE’S LIVE AND FREE COVERAGE

Australia’s Home of the Olympics and Paralympics, the 9Network, will make the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games the most prominent in history, with an unrivalled lineup of commentators to cover all the action from Wednesday, August 28.

Nine’s exclusive broadcast features live and free coverage across one curated linear offering on Channel 9 and 9Gem. Plus, more than 20 dedicated high-definition live streams on 9Now, where every event is available, as well as replays, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. Stan Sport will also screen the Paralympic Games.

Across 22 para-sports, 4,400 para-athletes will compete in 549 medal events– and viewers will not miss a single event featuring an Australian athlete. There will be more than 300 hours of Paralympics coverage, beginning with the Opening Ceremony on August 28, right through to the Closing Ceremony on September 8.

Based in the thick of the action will be the 9Network’s host set, inside the Australian Paralympic Team hotel in Paris, for all the action and reaction to our biggest moments, and plenty of fun along the way.

Before the cauldron is lit at the Opening Ceremony, Nine will present two feature episodes of the documentary series Beyond The Dream, where viewers will be taken behind the scenes with our Aussie wheelchair rugby team, the Steelers, from Monday August 19.

Then, Australian Paralympian three-time gold medallist, Curtis McGrath, opens his doors to share his personal story like never before on Monday, August 26, at 8.45pm AEST.

When the action begins in Paris, Australian audiences will be guided through every moment by some of our most celebrated Paralympians and Olympians, who are key parts of the 9Network’s accomplished hosting team.

(L-R) Channel 9’s Annabelle Williams, Cate Campbell, Dylan Alcott, James Bracey and Ellie Cole in Paris ahead of the Paralympic Games beginning on August 28.

PARALYMPIC HOSTS
Available on Channel 9HD, 9GemHD and to stream on 9Now
All times in AEST

5.00pm-10.30pm
Australia’s most decorated Paralympian Ellie Cole and host James Bracey in Sydney are joined live from Paris by three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley and Olympic gold medallist Todd Woodbridge.

10.30pm-2.30am 
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott and Sylvia Jeffreys live in Paris alongside Woodbridge and Fearnley.

2.30am-6.00am end of session 
Roz Kelly and two-time Paralympic gold medallist Blake Cochrane.

Joining them is an unrivalled lineup of commentators and experts, including Para-swimming gold medallist Annabelle Williams, Wheelchair rugby gold medallist Ryan Scott, two-time Wheelchair basketball gold medallist Troy Sachs, Para-athletics gold medallists Kelly Cartwright, Katrina Webb and Tim Matthews, seven-time Paralympian Christie Dawes, Para-rowing silver medallist John Maclean, and Paralympians Kate Naess and Felicity Johnson.

Alongside them will be four-time Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell – to commentate on Para-swimming – and triple Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox, who will commentate during the Para-canoe events. Olympic silver medallist and dual BMX World Champion Sam Willoughby joins the team to cover Para-cycling. 

Calling live events will be Sean Maloney (Wheelchair rugby and Para-canoe), Brenton Speed (Para-swimming), David Culbert (Para-athletics), Mitch Tomlinson (Wheelchair basketball), Scott McGrory (Para-cycling), Shane McInnes (Para-rowing) and Peter Psaltis (Para-triathlon). Senior reporter Nick McArdle will deliver the latest breaking news throughout the broadcast.

Paralympic gold medallist and Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott, said: “Discovering Paralympic sport genuinely saved my life. So when the widest reaching media outlet in the nation is willing to give a platform such as the 9Network and 9Now, it furthers the reality that our sporting disciplines deserve to become mainstream.

“The Paralympic Games are so powerful, not just for our community, but for non-disabled people to learn as well. As a nation it’s time to get ready to join our Paralympians on the journey and shout from the rooftops about their incredible feats against the rest of the world.

“Watch because the sport you’ll see is elite. Watch because you’ll be entertained. But also watch because you will learn a thing or two about disability along the way, and thanks to the power of broadcast, our community will get the chance to be seen and celebrated.”

Nine Director of Television, Michael Healy, said: “There is no other sporting event that unites the world quite like the Paralympics. We are honoured to provide a platform that showcases and elevates these outstanding para-athletes and their captivating stories. We will provide more opportunities than ever before across Nine’s suite of broadcast, radio, publishing and digital assets to ensure Australians don’t miss a single moment.”

The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 Nine Press Kit is now available here.

PARIS 2024 PARALYMPIC GAMES LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9, 9GEM AND 9NOW
EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY PARALYMPIC EVENT STREAMED LIVE AND FREE WITH REPLAYS ON 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Ryley McKay 
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport
ryley.mckay@nine.com.au

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

The Financial Review remains Australia’s most read premium business title

The Australian Financial Review is the country’s most read premium business masthead recording a cross platform readership of 3.5 million people, according to Total News Publishing readership figures released by Roy Morgan today.

The premium business masthead has experienced four consecutive quarters of growth across its Total News Publishing audience, with 985,000 people reading a print edition of the Financial Review in the past four weeks. 

Highlighting the strength of the Financial Review’s digital offering, 78% of AFR readers engage with the masthead’s online publication, which has once again grown since last quarter – the fourth consecutive quarter of online growth. 

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded annual growth of 9% year-on-year, for an average issue readership of 268,000, while the AFR Weekend Saturday print edition recorded quarterly growth with a readership of 182,000. 

The Australian Financial Review Magazine continues to dominate Australia’s monthly magazine insert figures, with a print readership of 500,000 – compared to its direct competitor Wish that has had a readership drop of -20% year on year. Fin! Magazine has also seen quarterly and annual growth (8% and 10% respectively). 

Editor-in-chief James Chessell said: “These results reflect the high quality and award-winning journalism in The Australian Financial Review. With our focus on growing our subscriber base, our digital strategy continues to gain strength as is evidenced by nearly 80% of our audience engaging with our sites.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 16.02 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. Readership figures from Roy Morgan show news now reaches 21.7m Australians aged 14+ each month, with strong readership across every profile group.

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending June 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to June 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

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

Monday, August 19, 2024

The Age maintains its lead against its competitor nationally

The Age has once again maintained its lead against its main competitor nationally, with a multi-platform readership of 4.63 million, according to Total News Publishing figures released by Roy Morgan today.

The Age has cemented its place as the nation’s second most read multi-platform news brand after The Sydney Morning Herald and is ahead of its main competitor The Herald Sun by 650,000 readers. 

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded a readership of 240,000, while the Saturday edition has 389,000 print readers. In the last four weeks 990,000 people on average have read a print edition of The Age and in total, one in five Australians get their news from The Age.   

Across The Age and the Herald, the country’s most prestigious food news brand, Good Food, recorded a Total News Publishing readership of 1.6 million, with its readership up 16% quarterly, while Traveller also recorded quarterly growth of 12% with 1.29 million readers. 

Good Weekend recorded an average issue print readership of 690,000, while Sunday Life recorded an average issue print readership of 356,000 and Domain recorded readership of 455,000. 

“The Age is unquestionably Victoria’s premier news brand. In a year in which The Age celebrates its 170th birthday, it has exposed the corruption at the heart of the CFMEU and the union’s unseemly ties to state and federal Labor,” said Executive Editor Luke McIlveen.

“Led by The Age’s chief investigative reporter, Nick McKenzie, the Building Bad series began on the streets of Melbourne but quickly spread to Canberra and every CFMEU branch in the country.”

“This was a truly great piece of journalism – and our loyal readers at The Age know other newspapers gave up on this standard of investigative reporting a long time ago.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 16.02 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. Readership figures from Roy Morgan show news now reaches 21.7m Australians aged 14+ each month, with strong readership across every profile group.

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending June 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to June 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

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

Monday, August 19, 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald dominates to remain Australia’s No.1 most read multi-platform news brand

The Sydney Morning Herald has once again cemented its position as Australia’s most read multi-platform news brand, with a readership of 7.2 million, according to the Total News Publishing figures released by Roy Morgan today. 

With one in three Australian readers choosing the Herald to stay informed, the masthead dominates the multi-platform news brand landscape and nearly doubles The Daily Telegraph readership (7.18 million versus The Telegraph’s 3.94 million) in the latest figures in the 12-month period ending June 2024. 

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded an average issue readership of 381,000, while Saturday’s print edition recorded 477,000 readers. In the last four weeks, 1.47 million people on average have read a print edition of the Herald, while The Sun Herald print edition is read by 395,000 people every Sunday.

Across the Herald and The Age, the country’s most prestigious food news brand, Good Food, recorded a Total News readership of 1.6 million, with its readership up 16% quarterly, while Traveller also recorded quarterly growth of 12% with 1.29 million readers. 

Good Weekend recorded an average issue print readership of 690,000, while Sunday Life recorded an average issue print readership of 356,000 and Domain recorded readership of 455,000. 

“The Sydney Morning Herald’s dominance over our rivals is testament to the unique bond between our skilled journalists and our audience. Our readers trust us to write the truth – sometimes at great personal risk to our journalists and their sources – and we try to live up to that expectation every day,” said Executive Editor Luke McIlveen.

“Nowhere was this more evident than our exclusive series on the corruption and criminality at the heart of the CFMEU, which has been the most important piece of journalism in Australia in 2024.”  

“In a fiercely competitive and uncertain media landscape, the Herald remains true to the principles carved out in our newsroom 193 years ago.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 16.02 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. Readership figures from Roy Morgan show news now reaches 21.7m Australians aged 14+ each month, with strong readership across every profile group.

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending June 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to June 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

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

Monday, August 19, 2024

NRLW Competition heats up in Round 4

As Nine’s record-breaking Olympics coverage comes to a close, the NRLW is set to deliver another top lineup of matches this weekend, live and free on the 9Network.

Coverage starts on Saturday at 11.00am AEST with the Roosters v Tigers clash. Veteran Samantha Bremner, having returned to competition after her 2022 retirement, will be out to make an impact for the Roosters, alongside standouts Jessica Sergis and Tarryn Aiken. The Wests Tigers, coming off a loss to the Titans, need a victory to climb the ladder. Losana Lutu will be a dangerous asset for the Tigers, a rising playmaker.

Next up at 12.45pm, the Raiders host the Sharks at GIO Stadium in Canberra. The Green Machine have three wins from their last five home games. Viewers can expect to see prop Sophie Holyman back on the field after being unable to finish the game in last week’s loss to the Knights. Meanwhile, Sharks coach Tony Herman will be focusing on maintaining his team’s strong defence, especially with fullback Jada Taylor sidelined for the season with an ACL injury.

For a comprehensive preview of the weekend’s matches, viewers can turn to the Westpac NRLW Wrap from 10.30am on Saturday, with Emma Lawrence, Ruan Sims, Allana Ferguson and Marlee Silva.

On Sunday, the NRLW action continues with a double-header at Brisbane’s Totally Workwear Stadium. The Cowboys will take on the Eels at 12.00pm, with Cowboys winger Jakiya Whitfeld aiming to add to her try-double in Round 2. And can Eels centre Rory Owen, who scored in her first two appearances, back it up for Round 3?

Then it’s a Sunshine State showdown between the Broncos and Titans. The Broncos, chasing their first win of the season, are without Brianna Clarke, who is serving a two-match suspension for a shoulder charge. The undefeated Titans will field an unchanged featuring superstar centre Jamie Chapman, who has 12 tries under her belt from her past eight games.

Wrapping up the round, the Newcastle Knights get the home-game advantage against a Dragons team looking to bounce back from another loss last weekend.  

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 10

ROOSTERS V WESTS TIGERS

RAIDERS V SHARKS

Sunday, August 11

COWBOYS V EELS

BRONCOS V TITANS

KNIGHTS V DRAGONS   

NRLW ROUND 3
FROM SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, AT 11.00AM AEST
LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETWORK

Follow NRLW on Nine on Instagram, Facebook & X

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland 
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Friday, August 16, 2024

Celebrate 30 Years of The Footy Show

Footy fans are set to be treated to a two-part special which looks back at 30 Years of the Footy Show from next week on Channel 9 and 9Now.

TUES, AUG 20 AT 8.40PM (VIC, SA & WA) & 11.10PM (NSW & QLD)
CONTINUES TUES, AUG 27

On Tuesday, August 20, at 8.40pm celebrate the 30th anniversary of the long-running and much loved program which started back in 1994, with 30 Years of the Footy Show, part one. This will be followed by part two on Tuesday, August 27, at 8.45pm. The two-part special will also air in NSW and QLD at 11.10pm.

This must-watch special will look back at the most famous moments from The Footy Show, with never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes vision and interviews with the program’s original host, Eddie McGuire, and a massive lineup of Footy Show faces. They include Garry Lyon, Sam Newman, Shane Crawford, Brendan Fevola, James Hird, Billy Brownless, Craig Hutchison, Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd, Doug Hawkins, Campbell Brown, David Schwarz, Justin Madden, Damian Barrett, Craig Kelly and Roland Rocchiccioli.

For the first time, we hear from the key crew members and production team that made the show so successful for such a long time, including Gary Newnham, Director of every episode of The Footy Show, Original Executive Producer Harvey Silver, Head of Wardrobe Katrina Henley and Cartoonist Andrew Fyfe. 

After 23 years, Sam Newman and David Schwarz face off over the infamous “pie in the face” incident, and we look back at the period in which one of Nine’s competitors poached talent from The Footy Show stable.

Savour memorable highlights of the program including fan favourite segments likeStreet Talk, Sam’s Mail Bag and Billy’s Wheel, as well as The House of Bulger, which saw Shane Crawford play Hank Bulger, Billy Brownless play Hank’s mother, Joybell Bulger, and Garry Lyon play the villain Hueston Crabbe. The skit also featured Dermott Brereton and Roland Rocchiccioli. 

And we revisit the unforgettable moments when Shane Crawford walked from Adelaide to Melbourne in 2010 and cycled from Melbourne to Perth in 2013 to raise funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia, leaving the nation moved by his courage. 

Don’t miss this must-see special as the gang get back together to relive some of Australian television’s greatest Footy Show moments on Channel 9 and 9Now.

CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF THE FOOTY SHOW
TUES, AUG 20 AT 8.40PM (VIC, SA & WA) & 11.10PM (NSW & QLD)
CONTINUES TUES, AUG 27
ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Channel 9 Publicity
Alexandra Maiolo 
0437 158 866
alexandra.maiolo@nine.com.au

Friday, August 16, 2024

Buckle up for a blockbuster – NRL on Nine: Round 24

The top contenders are set for an epic clash in Round 24 of NRL on Nine, with the Panthers and Storm battling for the minor premiership in what could be a preview of the Grand Final, live and free on the 9Network.

With just two points separating the competition giants on the ladder, Thursday Night Footy promises edge-of-your-seat drama. The Panthers, with magician Nathan Cleary on fire, could be boosted with the return of Origin fullback Dylan Edwards from injury. For the Storm, the dynamite halves combo of Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster is ready to click after their disrupted season.

Nine’s coverage from BlueBet Stadium will be led by Danika Mason, joined by Allana Ferguson, with expert commentary from Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith. Mat Thompson will call the game, while Brad Fittler and Emma Lawrence will be sideline for updates.

Friday Night Footy serves up the Roosters v Eels clash. After a painful loss last week, the Eels are itching to rebound. The Roosters get Dom Young and Nat Butcher back from injury. The Eels, with young Blaize Talagi in scorching form (seven tries in eight games), could spell trouble for the third-ranked Roosters.

Sunday morning kicks off with a treat for footy fans as Wide World of Sports returns, hosted by Roz Kelly, from 10.00am AEST. Then, The Sunday Footy Show will dive into the NRL Round 24 highlights, preview Sunday Arvo Footy, and cover all things rugby league from 11.00am AEST.

In Sunday Arvo Footy, the Knights, two points shy of the top eight, must beat the Sharks to keep their finals dreams alive. The Sharks are on a high after a stunning shutout of the Titans and sit in the top four. There’ll be no brotherly love lost between Blayke (Sharks) and Jayden Brailey (Knights) as these siblings battle for victory in a crunch match.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Thursday, July 15

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – PANTHERS V STORM

Friday, July 16

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – ROOSTERS V EELS

Sunday, July 18

WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS – From 10.00am AEST, hosted by Roz Kelly. Mark Taylor and Gus Worland debate all the juicy topics in sport.

THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – From 11.00am AEST. Join Danika Mason, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Billy Slater as they dive into all things rugby league with the NRL stars.

HOSTPLUS QLD CUP – From 2.10pm AEST. Western Suburbs Magpies v Sunshine Coast Falcons, available on the 9Now pop-up channel live and free.

SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – KNIGHTS V SHARKS

Monday, July 19

100% Footy – 9.40pm AEST on Channel 9HD in Sydney and Brisbane. Phil Gould, Paul Gallen and James Bracey debate the biggest issues in rugby league alongside the game’s most influential figures.

NRL ON NINE: ROUND 24 ON THE 9NETWORK 
FROM THURSDAY, JULY 15, AT 7.30PM AEST
LIVE AND FREE ON 9NOW AND CHANNEL 9HD 

Follow NRL on Nine on Instagram, Facebook & X

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland 
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Thursday, August 15, 2024

19.5 million Australians captivated by Paris 2024

As Australia’s most successful Olympic Games campaign comes to an end, it can be reported that the 9Network’s world-class coverage was broadcast to a National Total Television Reach of 19.5 million across Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now.

With Team Australia securing a haul of 18 gold medals, it breaks the previous record of 17 set in Athens (2004) and Tokyo (2021). 

Records were also broken across television viewing as viewers flocked to witness our elite athletes shine on the global stage.

Week 1 of Nine’s broadcast of the Olympic Games delivered a National Total Television reach of 17.5 million (the highest weekly reach in VOZ history), while Week 2 delivered a National Total Television reach of 16.6 million (the second highest weekly reach in VOZ history).

Since the Opening Ceremony on July 27, the Olympics contributed to a daily average National Total TV Reach of 9.9 million viewers across Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. 

Paris 2024 has notably connected with Australians aged 16-39, dispelling media myths and proving that those under 40 gravitate towards live broadcast, live streaming, and on-demand TV for shared cultural experiences. This is something only free-to-air television can achieve.

The first week of the Olympics saw 9Now smash records, attracting the highest daily share in VOZ history in the key demo of People 16-39 and a weekly National Total TV Reach for this demographic of more than 4.8 million. Across the entire duration of the Games, a National Total TV Reach of 5.6 million viewers aged 16-39 tuned into the broadcast.

Australians embraced 9Now in unprecedented numbers. Offering over 40 live streams, along with on-demand and live streaming of Channel 9 and 9Gem, the platform achieved a 16% incremental reach, with 2.7 million viewers tuning in exclusively to the Olympics through 9Now out of an overall National Reach of 7.5 million on Australia’s No. 1 commercial free-to-air streaming platform.

In the crucial demographic of People 25-54, more than 8.1 million viewers tuned into Nine’s coverage of Paris 2024. 

The highest rating session of the Games occurred on Day 2, where the Night Session drew a National Total TV Reach of 5.741 million and a National Average Audience of 2.332 million. This session highlighted Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus qualifying for the semi-finals of the Women’s 200m Freestyle.

Michael Healy, Director of Television for Nine, said: “The Olympics is more than just a sporting event. It’s a cultural phenomenon that resonates deeply with Australians from all walks of life. It unites the nation in a way that few other events can, bringing together millions of viewers across the country. The widespread and enduring engagement across all our platforms is a testament to the unique and powerful connection Australians have with the Games. I am so immensely proud of the outstanding coverage our broadcast team delivered. Bring on the Paralympics in two weeks’ time!”

Nine has all ten of the Top 10 commercial free-to-air programs of the year-to-date, with five of those being Olympic night sessions (other events include State of Origin Games 1-3, State of Origin 1st Pre Match and Australian Open Men’s Final).

The dominance of Nine’s Olympics coverage led to 9News recording its ten highest rating bulletins of the year over the past two weeks.

The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will be broadcast on the 9Network and 9Now from Thursday, August 29.

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

Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager 
amotte@nine.com.au

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Forged in Steel

Go behind the scenes with one of Australia’s most successful sporting outfits when Forged In Steel, the story of the Steelers, our Wheelchair Rugby team, premieres Monday, August 19, at 8.40pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Wheelchair Rugby has become one of the most watched Paralympic sports, and the Steelers have earned a formidable reputation in the run-up to Paris 2024. But what does it take to secure a place on this champion team? 

With two Paralympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and two World Championships (2014, 2022), but a disappointing showing in Tokyo 2020 and a failure to earn direct qualification to Paris 2024 via the Asia Oceania qualifier, we follow the Steelers as they claw their way back to the top of the world. 

Forged In Steel, part of Nine’s special Beyond The Dream series, showcases the Steelers as they battled for their spot at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in a last-chance qualifying tournament in Wellington, New Zealand, in March this year, before taking on some of the world’s best teams at the Canada Cup in Vancouver in June. 

This all-access documentary takes viewers into the meeting rooms for the heartwarming moments when Steelers coaches hand the athletes their place on the team, as well as the heartbreaking moments when others receive the crushing news that their Paralympic dreams are over. 

Wheelchair Rugby is a brutal and intense mixed-team sport where full contact between purpose-built wheelchairs is not only allowed but encouraged. Forged In Steel will explain the rules and technical aspects, as we see just why this is one of the most watched of all Paralympic sports. 

The Steelers are a team of incredible personalities, with each Steeler having their own extraordinary story. The documentary will focus on four key players: Chris Bond, Ryley Batt, Shae Graham and James McQuillan. 

Chris Bond is the team captain. Paris 2024 will be his final Paralympics. A viral infection at 18 resulted in the amputation of both his legs, left hand, and four fingers on his right hand.

Ryley Batt is the best Wheelchair Rugby player in the world. He has played for 20 years and isn’t ruling out retirement after Paris 2024. Born without legs, Ryley is an adrenaline junkie who loves boats, jet skis, quad bikes and 4WDing. 

Shae Graham is the pioneer for Australian female Wheelchair Rugby players. She was the first female representative (2019) and female Paralympian (Tokyo 2020). 

James McQuillan acquired his disability in an Aussie Rules accident in 2014, at the age of 20. He was a university student, studying physio at the time.

The Beyond The Dream series goes beyond the headlines to discover the untold stories that led to some of the greatest Olympic and Paralympic moments. With unprecedented access, this new documentary series will capture the raw spirit of some of the greatest athletes of all time. 

Beyond The Dream: Forged in Steel is produced by Wide World of Sports, in association with Paralympics Australia and Good Shout, for the 9Network. 

BEYOND THE DREAM: 
FORGED IN STEEL 
PREMIERE MONDAY, AUGUST 19, AT 8.40PM
ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

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

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

‘Stories of Origin: Alfie’ Wins Best Sports Podcast at 2024 Australia New Zealand Podcast Awards

9Podcasts’ Stories of Origin: Alfie has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Sports Podcast at the 2024 Australia New Zealand Podcast Awards, recognising the podcast’s excellence in storytelling and its impact on the sports media landscape.

The third instalment of the acclaimed Stories of Origin series, Stories of Origin: Alfie, is a pioneering podcast that delves into the compelling stories behind legendary NRL player Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer throughout his career.

With a focus on captivating storytelling and in-depth analysis, the podcast series, hosted by Nine’s Wide World of Sports’ Mat Thompson and driven by the 9Podcasts’ dedicated team of Executive Producer Matty White and Podcast Producer Jordan Weir, has become a fast favourite among sports enthusiasts.

Nine’s Head of Podcasts, Social and Digital, Mia Stern said: “We couldn’t be prouder of the team on their much deserved award win. Their unwavering commitment to crafting compelling narratives and their innovative approach has been pivotal in making Stories of Origin: Alfie such an engaging and memorable audio experience and we’re incredibly grateful to our listeners for their continued support.”

You can listen to Stories of Origin: Alfie everywhere you get your podcasts. 

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

Monday, August 12, 2024