Archives: Media Releases

MONDAY, JUNE 22, AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

It’s time to grab your passports as the four-time TV Week Logie Award-winning Travel Guides jet off on their most ambitious, hilarious and eye-opening lap yet around the planet, in a new season premiering Monday, June 22, at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Australia’s highest rated travel show will see all our favourites return; the Fren family, Matt and Brett, Kevin and Janetta, Kev, Dorian and Teng, and Karly and Bri. They’ll bring their signature charm, witty banter and brutally honest opinions to the world’s most spectacular bucket-list destinations.

And for the first time, this season will also welcome fresh Travel Guides into the fray, including guest appearances from familiar faces Eliza and Liberty (sisters from The Block), award-winning country music couple Brooke and Adam, and Love Island favourites Callum and Mitch getting a taste for life on the road.

The 2026 world tour starts with a tasty trip to South America’s spiciest nation, Chile. From the vibrant, bustling big cities to the snow-capped peaks and icy glaciers of Patagonia, it’s an extraordinary journey to the bottom of the world. While Kevin and Janetta sample Chile’s famous wine scene, and the Fren Family get to know the country’s most famous cat, they all get to cruise to an ancient glacier that’s an extraordinary remnant of the last Ice Age.

And that’s just the beginning for our intrepid travellers, as their jetsetting adventures include living out their Lion King dreams on a surprising animal safari in Tanzania, and discovering the many wonders of Indonesia that lie beyond Bali. And closer to home they’ll discover the laid back beauty of the NSW South Coast, on a road trip that proves a five-star escape can be found right in our own backyard. But will they remember to charge their EVs to ensure they make the distance?

From the airlines they fly, to the hotels they bunk down in, and the array of heart pumping activities along the way, our cast’s vastly different perspectives prove time and again that one person’s idea of holiday perfection is another’s idea of total hell! They call it exactly how they see it and rate every adventure out of five stars.

Travel Guides is produced by Nine, and narrated again by beloved Aussie comedian Denise Scott.

TRAVEL GUIDES 
MONDAY, JUNE 22, AT 7.30PM 
ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

#TravelGuides
LIKE Travel Guides on Facebook
FOLLOW Travel Guides on Instagram
FOLLOW Travel Guides on X
STREAM FOR FREE on 9NOW

Wednesday 10 June, 2026

The days are about to get a lot hotter when Love Island UK returns for season 13, launching exclusively on 9Now, today (Wednesday, June 3) at 12.00pm AEST, with new episodes dropping daily, including weekends.

The stylish Maya Jama is back as the host again, welcoming a brand new bunch of Islanders to the Love Island Villa in Mallorca, Spain.

It will be a summer full of twists, turns and tests as the Islanders must couple up in the hope of finding a genuine connection, or they must clear out.

You won’t want to miss this season, which promises even more unmissable and unforgettable moments of messiness and plenty of romance.

LOVE ISLAND UK SEASON 13:
PREMIERES TODAY AT 12.00PM AEST ON 9NOW

Get to know the Islanders and stream every episode of previous Love Island UK seasons on 9Now

LIKE 9Now on Facebook
FOLLOW @9Now on X
FOLLOW @9Now on Instagram

Visit 9Now.com.au

Wednesday 3 June, 2026

Nine today announced advertising will expand across Stan later this year through the introduction of an advertising supported tier, creating new premium streaming opportunities for brands to connect with a deeply engaged audience in a high-attention viewing environment.

The launch extends Stan’s commercial offering beyond Stan Sport for the first time, allowing advertisers to seamlessly plan and activate campaigns across Nine’s entire suite of assets spanning the 9Network, 9Now, Stan (Entertainment and Sport), Publishing, Digital, 9Podcast and QMS Media.

As part of the broader evolution, Stan’s entry-level entertainment offering will become Basic with Ads, priced at $9.99 per month and including HD streaming. The change introduces a more accessible entry point into Stan while providing audiences with greater flexibility in how they access premium entertainment. Alongside Basic with Ads, Stan will continue to offer ad-free entertainment plans designed to suit different viewing preferences.

Advertising on Stan will launch with a light ad load designed to maintain a premium viewing experience while delivering strong attention outcomes for advertisers. 

Amanda Laing, Managing Director Streaming & Broadcast, Nine, said: “Nine reaches more Australians across more moments, platforms and environments than any other media company, shaping culture – the conversations and live experiences – that people care about most.
That breadth of connection is a powerful advantage for brands. It enables advertisers to engage audiences in ways that are seamless, consistent and deeply impactful across all of Nine’s portfolio.
A lower-priced entry point with HD streaming broadens access to Stan and helps us reach more Australians across entertainment and live sport, while supporting continued investment in premium content and Australian storytelling.

Powered by Nine’s first-party data and audience intelligence capability, this expansion strengthens Nine’s ability to help brands better understand how audiences move across its media portfolio, creating additional connected opportunities for planning, engagement and measurement.

Matt James, Nine Chief Sales Officer, said: “The strength of a connected media business lies in its ability to bring premium audiences, content and channels together. 
With Stan now part of our advertising offering, brands can access a more powerful and unified way to connect with Australians across entertainment, sport, news, publishing and outdoor.
Ads on Stan will allow brands to reach audiences with greater scale, precision and impact.”

Stan is Australia’s only locally owned and operated major streaming platform and has played a leading role in shaping the local streaming market since launching over 11 years ago.

As part of Nine’s media portfolio, Stan combines premium entertainment and live sport with the scale, audience intelligence and market understanding of Australia’s most connected media businesses, reaching over 20 million Australians each month.

Further details will be shared closer to launch.

Wednesday 3 June, 2026

Nine today unveils a major re-launch of nine.com.au, marking the most significant evolution in the platform’s history that transforms one of Australia’s largest digital news, entertainment and lifestyle destinations.

Reaching nearly 10 million Australians every month, the comprehensive rebuild of nine.com.au moves away from a fragmented site featuring numerous individual brands that have accumulated over time, to a more singular, cleaner destination centred on six well-defined pillars: News, Sport, Lifestyle, Travel, Entertainment and Shopping. 

The re-launch is supported by a new-look app that rolls 9News into a nine.com.au branded app, simplifying the offering for readers, bringing sport, entertainment and lifestyle together with trusted news. The 9News app will be automatically updated from today. 

The re-launch will also feature a comprehensive slate of premium content, including vodcasts, video-led series across the six pillars and social platforms, connecting more readers than ever with Nine’s trusted journalism. 

The new homepage will offer the flexibility to showcase vibrant live blogs, detailed explainers, and premium video right alongside the trusted breaking news readers rely on. 

Since its launch as ninemsn in 1997 and then as nine.com.au in June 2016, it has become one of the country’s most trusted sources of breaking news, sport and entertainment. Nine.com.au currently reaches more than 45% of the Australian internet population, generating a massive 270 million page impressions and 15 million short-form video streams every month. 

Despite this reach, the fragmented structure – which features more than 150 sub-brands within the ecosystem – is now in need of a simplified paring back to better reflect Nine’s evolving digital reader, and provide an effective environment for advertisers.  

Katie Davies, Executive Editor of nine.com.au, said the re-launch defines a new direction for the country’s digital landscape.
“nine.com.au is consistently one of Australia’s most read news sites. As the media landscape evolves, so must we to better reflect the changing needs of our readers and advertisers. In an online environment awash with misinformation and AI-generated content, easily-accessible trusted journalism is more important than ever. 
“We aren’t just launching a new look; we are defining a new direction that stands for something clear: fast, free, and for you. Australians don’t just want the news—they want to know what it means for their family and where the conversation is going next.” 

Marc Dodd, Editor of nine.com.au, said: “This re-launch will provide a great platform for our amazing team of digital reporters to keep Australians informed and entertained however they choose to consume their news. We know the media landscape is changing quickly – but the desire for trusted, breaking news will always stay the same. And our team is the best in the business at delivering that.” 

The move to a single domain will allow Nine to quickly launch focused micro-newsletters for major events, such as federal elections, budgets and cultural moments, and innovate with products that allow for deeper brand integration. 

As part of the relaunch, 9Honey will be folded into the Lifestyle pillar while wwos.com.au will fall under sport but still contain Wide World of Sport and Stan Sport branding on the site. All of the 9Network’s existing TV programming sites, including A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, Today, MAFS, The Block and others will continue to have their own sites under a TV pillar. 

Ashleigh Thomas, Commercial Director – Publishing Sales, said: “When Katie and the nine.com.au team looked at redesigning the site, their absolute priority was creating a premium digital environment where brands can truly perform. We’ve built a faster, cleaner user experience that is intentionally engineered to cultivate strong daily habits with our audience. By streamlining the UX and extending their time on site, we are giving more meaningful, sustained windows to connect with Australians in a highly receptive state of mind.” 

Monday 1 June, 2026

A surge in wealth for Australia’s top entrepreneurs means the Financial Review Rich List almost entirely consists of billionaires. The top 178 rankings on the 2026 Rich 200 list – almost nine out of ten Rich Listers – carry estimated fortunes of $1 billion and above.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has topped the Rich List for the seventh consecutive year, with an estimated wealth of $39 billion, up $900 million from last year. The rich are still getting richer, with this year’s list revealing the country’s 200 largest fortunes have collectively leapt by $39 billion to a total of $707 billion. This is the 44th Rich List, first published in the Business Review Weekly magazine in 1983 when the total worth of Australia’s wealthiest people was only $4.6 billion. 

But while total wealth is up, there have been some notable falls in the technology sector as a result of the billions of dollars wiped off the value of listed software-as-a-service companies. 

Mike Cannon-Brookes has fallen from 13th ranking on the list to 22nd, losing nearly half his estimated fortune from $12.18 billion in 2025 to $6.71 billion. His Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar and wife Kim Jackson who leads Skip Capital, have dropped from 4th to 13th and seen their wealth plummet from $21.4 billion to $11.7 billion. WiseTech founder Richard White has gone from 15th to 17th after his wealth dropped by nearly $2 billion to $8.8 billion, while some tech founders have fallen off the list altogether.   

Mining and property remain the largest sectors for wealth creation. Property scion Harry Triguboff is No. 2 on the Rich List, worth an estimated $32.29 billion, up from $29.65 billion. The third wealthiest is Anthony Pratt & family with $25.19 billion, followed by former Glencore CEO (and cycling apparel brand Q36.5 investor) Ivan Glasenberg, who has seen his wealth explode from $13 billion last year to $22.38 billion in 2026. 

Mining magnate and Trumpet of Patriots frontman Clive Palmer is ranked No. 5 with an estimated wealth of $19.56 billion, while Canva founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have increased their wealth by $3 billion to be ranked No.6 with $17.56 billion. At aged 39 and 40 respectively, the couple remain the youngest Top 10 Rich Listers this year.      

Marriage breakdowns continue to re-shape the top Rich List rankings, with miner Andrew Forrest falling from Australia’s second-richest person in 2023 to No. 8 this year – worth $15.93 billion – overtaken by his former wife Nicola, who is ranked No. 7 at $17.32 billion. 

Michael Dorrell, who founded infrastructure investment giant Stonepeak, is ranked No. 9 worth $13.82 billion. Rounding out the Top 10 is Chemist Warehouse founders, siblings Mario, Marcello and Adrian Verrocchi worth $12.76 billion. 

This year’s Rich List is the first where artificial intelligence and data centres have truly made their mark. Among the 15 debutants on the 2026 Rich List are Swipejobs founder Katrina Leslie (No.67) who is worth $2.5 billion, Firmus co-founder Oliver Curtis (No.146) who is worth $1.25 billion and Grafana Labs co-founder Anthony Woods (No.194) who is worth $881 million. Brothers Daniel and William Roberts, former Macquarie executives who founded Iren in 2018, debut at No.200 with $853 million. All four fortunes are built on AI and data centres. 

Female representation has increased from 42 last year to 48 this year. Among the debutants are White Fox founder Georgia Contos, her husband and co-founder Daniel Contos and family (No.140) with $1.3 billion, and 91-year-old Pamela Wall, who is ranked No.149 and worth $1.2 billion. Her husband Ian Wall, who died in 2022, founded electronics company Codan, which recently doubled its share price propelled by a rise in gold prices and defence spending.

Rich List editor Hannah Tattersall said: “Along with the incredible fortunes amassed by Australia’s entrepreneurs are the stories of how they built their wealth and where their ideas came from. Mining, property and tech always dominate the Rich List but this year’s list shows there’s money to be made in waste management, in chicken restaurants, in hoodies and of course AI.”

TOP 10 (worth a collective $215.80 billion) 

1. Gina Rinehart – $39.01 billion – Mining 
2. Harry Triguboff – $32.29 billion – Property 
3. Anthony Pratt & family – $25.19 billion – Manufacturing
4. Ivan Glasenberg – $22.38 billion – Mining 
5. Clive Palmer – $19.56  billion – Mining 
6. Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht – $17.56 billion – Technology 
7. Nicola Forrest – $17.32 billion – Mining
8. Andrew Forrest – $15.93 billion – Mining 
9. Michael Dorrell – $13.82 billion – Investment 
10. Mario, Marcello & Adrian Verrocchi – $12.76 billion – Retail  

NUMBERS BY STATE AND COUNTRY (WHERE THEY ARE BASED)

1. NSW – 78 Rich Listers 
2. VIC – 52 Rich Listers 
3. QLD – 21 Rich Listers 
4. WA – 19 Rich Listers
5. SA – 5 Rich Listers
6. ACT – 0 Rich Listers
7. NT – 1 Rich Lister 
8. TAS – 2 Rich Listers

• USA 8 Rich Listers 
• NZ 2 Rich Listers 
• UK 3 Rich Listers 
• China 3 Rich Listers 
• Switzerland 1 Rich Lister
• Argentina 1 Rich Lister
• Bahamas 1 Rich Lister
• Cyprus 1 Rich Lister
• Hong Kong 1 Rich Lister
• Dubai 1 Rich Lister

NAMES MOST LIKELY TO BE A RICH LISTER
There have been 37 Johns that have appeared on the Rich List in its history; 23 Andrews and 21 Peters.  

The full Rich List will be available on www.afr.com and will appear in a special edition of The Australian Financial Review Magazine in tomorrow’s Financial Review.

Thursday 28 May, 2026

NEW SOUTH WALES v QUEENSLAND –  WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

The biggest rivalry in Australian sport will ignite this Wednesday, May 27 when New South Wales and Queensland collide in AMPOL State of Origin I – Exclusive, live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now from 7.00pm AEST.

Sydney sets the scene of the 2026 series opener, where a hungry NSW Blues team featuring Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco, Brian To’o and captain Isaah Yeo, have a taste for vengeance after losing the 2025 deciding game at home.

While Billy Slater’s reigning champion Queensland Maroons, led by Cameron Munster, will have the game’s best attacking weapons at their disposal when Kalyn Ponga, Harry Grant, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and debut playmaker Sam Walker look to pile on the points.

Wide World of Sports exclusive Origin coverage will be hosted by James Bracey with a cast of the biggest names in modern rugby league history, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Paul Gallen, Brad Fittler and Sam Thaiday, all on hand to dissect every moment of the action.

Danika Mason will deliver live updates from the sideline alongside Fittler and Lockyer, while  Allana Ferguson and Emma Lawrence join the panel to analyse the key match-ups. In the commentary box Mathew Thompson is flanked by former NSW and Queensland captains, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith. 

STATE OF ORIGIN COUNTDOWN will get you ready for kickoff with 24/7 continuous Origin games streamed on 9Now and linear channel 9Go! from today – Tuesday, May 26 right though to the exclusive broadcast on gameday – Wednesday, May 27 at 7.00pm AEST. 

Experience State of Origin like never before with 9Now’s Battle View. This ultimate multi-view live stream lets you follow the main game while keeping an eye on NSW fullback James Tedesco and QLD halfback Sam Walker, all on the one screen streamed side-by-side live. Download the app or head to 9now.com.au

Feature stories in pregame will include Munster Unplugged when Cameron Smith sits down with Queensland skipper Cameron Munster, for a raw and real chat about his captaincy, the game, and the tragic loss of his father ahead of last year’s decider.

While sports broadcasting legend Ray Warren reflects on the enduring brilliance of the ageless James Tedesco as he steps back onto the Origin stage in Return of a Champion.

After the game you can catch up with 9Now mini-match for all the best bits in a 20-minute breakdown.

AMPOL STATE OF ORIGIN I – NEW SOUTH WALES v QUEENSLAND
LIVE from Accor Stadium, Wednesday May 27

Sydney                 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane               7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne            7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide               6.30pm LIVE on 9GoHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth                     5.00pm LIVE on 9GoHD, 5.30pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now

THE BUILD-UP TO ORIGIN ON NINE
Available on Channel 9 and 9Now

FREDDY AND THE EIGHTH –  Tuesday night, May 26
NSW legends Brad Fittler and the Eighth rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns preview Origin I. 

NRLWRAP – WOMEN’S ORIGIN III SPECIAL –  Tuesday night, May 26
Join Emma Lawrence, Allana Ferguson and injured Jillaroos, Maroons and Roosters player Tarryn Aiken as special guest to break down all the key matchups and biggest talking points ahead of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin.  

SIX TACKLES WITH GUS LIVE FROM SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK ON GAMEDAY – Wednesday, May 27, 2.00pm
Phil “Gus” Gould is joined by former NSW captain Jake Trbojevic and channel 9 NRLcaller Mat Thompson preview the big game at The Locker Room bar outside Accor Stadium to preview the opening game of the 2026 Origin series with a live audience thanks to TAB.

STORIES OF ORIGIN PODCAST: SEASON 5
In the 46th year of Australian sport’s fiercest rivalry, the award winning podcast series Stories of Origin returns for 2026 with its most emotional series yet – My Favourite Origin. Podcast Available on 9Podcasts, Spotify, Apple and Google

Episode 1 – Nathan Cleary’s Masterclass
Nathan Cleary dissects his favourite Origin played so far. Game 2, 2022 in Perth where he silenced all critics with a scintillating performance and cemented his place at Origin level.

Episode 2 – Billy Slater’s favourite Origin
The greatest fullback of all time relives Game 2, 2004 where he delivered a breakout performance and his legendary chip and chase try at Suncorp Stadium.

Episode 3 – Danny Buderus: The 2005 Decider
Danny Buderus’ favourite Origin story centres on Game 3 of the 2005 State of Origin series, when he captained New South Wales to a famous 32-10 win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. The victory became historic in hindsight because it was the last time a NSW captain won an Origin decider in Brisbane for almost 20 years.

STATE OF ORIGIN I
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, AT 7.00PM
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Tuesday 26 May, 2026

The ultimate clay-court spectacle is back and Australian tennis fans won’t miss a single baseline battle. Watch exclusive, comprehensive coverage of Roland Garros 2026 across 9GemHD, 9Now and Stan Sport beginning Sunday, May 24 at 7.00pm AEST. 

Paris welcomes the staging of this iconic tournament where prime time coverage will be live and free on the 9Network, plus every match live and on demand on Stan Sport, with Centre Court in 4K UHD.

Hosts and tennis legends Todd Woodbridge and Jelena Dokic will lead the expert analysis and commentary along with their signature deep tactical breakdowns.

A formidable green-and-gold squad is primed to make a major impact across the men’s singles draw. Top-10 powerhouse Alex de Minaur [8] spearheads the Australian charge, backed by a deep lineup of homegrown talent including Thanasi Kokkinakis, Alexei Popyrin, James Duckworth, Alexander Vukic and Rinky Hijikata. Meanwhile, Adam Walton secures his place on the big stage via a wildcard entry.

International heavyweights are tracking toward historic milestones on the men’s side. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner arrives with a target on his back as the man to beat after winning all five Masters 1000 tournaments so far in 2026. The legendary Novak Djokovic [3] continues his relentless hunt for a historic 25th major, while Alexander Zverev [2] looks to assert his dominance on the red dirt.    

On the women’s side, Australia will be heavily represented with Daria Kasatkina, Ajla Tomljanovic, Kimberly Birrell, Talia Gibson and fast-rising prospect Maya Joint. Adding to the excitement is teenage sensation Emerson Jones ready to ignite the main draw on a wildcard.

All eyes will be on whether anyone can halt the reign of the queen of clay Iga Swiatek [3], with powerhouse contenders Aryna Sabalenka [1], Coco Gauff [4] and Jessica Pegula [5] leading the charge to disrupt her dominance. 

From first-round heartbreaks to championship glory, Nine ensures you have the best seat in the house to experience every rally and point of Roland-Garros 2026.

Australian First Round Draw

MEN’S SINGLES	WOMEN’S SINGLES
Alex De Minaur [8] v Qualifier (TBC)	Maya Joint v Anastasia Potapova [28]
Alexei Popyrin v Zachary Svajda	Talia Gibson v Yulia Putintseva
James Duckworth v Gabriel Diallo	Daria Kasatkina v Zeynep Sonmez
Thanasi Kokkinakis v Terence Atmane	Kimberly Birrell v Jessica Pegula [1]
Alexander Vukic v Raphael Collingnon	Ajla Tomljanovic v Caty Mcnally
Rinky Hijikata v Tommy Paul [24]	Emerson Jones [WC] v Iga Swiatek [3]
Adam Walton [WC] v Daniil Medvedev [6]

Broadcast Schedule

The home of grand slam tennis Stan Sport has every single second of Roland-Garros available Live and On-demand

From Sunday, May 24 at 7:00pm AEST every match of the tournament will be streamed live and on demand on Stan Sport, and with Centre Court in 4K, tennis has never looked better. Roland-Garros is accompanied by an impressive lineup of world-class tennis on Stan Sport, including all four Grand Slams and the WTA Tour. 

Stan Sport has the ultimate viewing experience, with every centre court match also available to stream in stunning 4K Ultra HD. 

Available for Free on 9GemHD and 9Now

DATE	TIME (AEST)	CHANNEL	STREAM
Sun May 24 to Mon June 1 (Day 1-9)	7.00pm to 12.00am	9GemHD	9Now
Tues June 2	Quarterfinals 7.00pm to 12.00am
Wed June 3	Quarterfinals 7.00pm to 12.00am
Thurs June 4	Women’s semi finals 11.00pm to 4.30am
Fri June 5	Men’s semi finals 10.30pm to 2.00am 3.00am to 7.00am
Sat June 6	Women’s Final 11.15pm – 3.00am
Sun June 7	Men’s Final 11.15pm – 4.00am

ROLAND GARROS 2026 BEGINS SUNDAY, MAY 24 AT 7.00PM 
STAN SPORT: EVERY MATCH AVAILABLE LIVE AND ON DEMAND 
FREE COVERAGE ON 9GEMHD AND 9NOW

Friday 22 May, 2026

Two of Nine’s most powerful investigative podcasts from A Current Affair, 60 Minutes & TaptMedia (formerly 9Podcasts), have been recognised at the internationally renowned New York Festival Radio Awards overnight.

The Saints and Alva Beach: Death At The Door, were awarded Bronze and Silver statues respectively in the ‘narrative/documentary podcast’ category. Alva Beach: Death At The Door was also awarded Bronze in the ‘serialised podcast’ category.

Presented by 60 Minutes journalist Adam Hegarty, with producer Jess Lodge and sound design & editing by Matty White, Alva Beach: Death At The Door pulls back the curtain on the fatal events of a single night in the quiet North Queensland town Alva Beach.

Through exclusive interviews and extensive evidence, Hegarty delves into the stabbing deaths of two men: 37-year-old father of three Corey Christensen and 27-year-old Tom Davy, 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.

Adam Hegarty said: “This is a story that’s stuck with me for a very long time, so I could not be prouder of the work Jess, Matty and I have done, and am incredibly grateful for the recognition.

“My thoughts and admiration are also with the Davy and Christensen families. It takes serious courage to share your heartbreak, and your important grievances, when you know doing so will be met with criticism.

“I hope – at the very least – people finally feel heard.”

Presented by A Current Affair’s Pippa Bradshaw, with producer Jess Lodge and sound design & editing by Hannah Sterling, The Saints exposes one of Australia’s most shocking cases of religious extremism which resulted in the tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs in Toowoomba, Queensland.

The podcast not only exposes the dark underbelly of cult psychology and religious extremism thriving in Australia’s regional towns but also raises urgent questions about potential failures in the justice and child protection systems.

Pippa Bradshaw said: “I’m deeply honoured to have The Saints and Elizabeth’s story recognised on a global stage, one that highlights the real dangers of extreme belief, and the importance of accountability.”

The Saints has also been recognised among the best in Australian podcasting, shortlisted for ‘best crime podcast’ at the upcoming 2026 Australian Audio Awards in Sydney.

With more than a million combined downloads, both of these projects showcase the power of podcasting in investigative journalism, placing two regional Queensland cases in the global spotlight & earning recognition among the best in the world.

Friday 22 May, 2026

PREMIERING SUNDAY MAY 24 AT 8.00PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Take a look behind the curtain at one of music’s most popular, eccentric and controversial superstars in The Michael Jackson Story, the four-part docu-series premiering Sunday, May 24 at 8.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

The “King of Pop” was a trailblazing musical genius whose influence transformed pop culture, while his private life remained fascinating and complex. Going beyond the chart-topping hits, groundbreaking music videos and electrifying live performances, this compelling series digs deep into the extraordinary story of one of the most culturally significant entertainers of all time.

Starting with his rise to fame as a child star in the racially segregated America of the 1960s, The Michael Jackson Story charts Jackson’s meteoric ascent to global superstardom. It explores the man behind the myth, tracing his artistic brilliance, worldwide adoration, and controversies that plagued his later years.

Featuring rare archival footage and intimate interviews with those closest to him, viewers get a backstage pass into Jackson’s world. Contributors include sister La Toya Jackson, singer Dionne Warwick, manager Dieter Wiesner, bodyguard Bill Whitfield, family attorney Brian Oxman, and the criminal prosecutor Ron Zonen, each offering unique insight into the life of the superstar.

The Michael Jackson Story doesn’t gloss over the difficult chapters of Jackson’s story. It puts the spotlight on his personal life and the scandalous allegations of child sexual abuse, which he always denied. It also explains how the Michael Jackson estate continues to generate billions from his catalogue, and how his legacy sits within today’s cultural landscape.

Don’t miss episode 1 of The Michael Jackson Story, premiering Sunday, May 24, at 8.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now, followed by episode 2.

THE MICHAEL JACKSON STORY
PREMIERING SUNDAY MAY 24 AT 8.00PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

Wednesday 20 May, 2026

PREMIERES TONIGHT – WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

In the build-up to the 2026 AMPOL State of Origin Series exclusive on Nine, the definitive tale of the biggest rivalry in Australian sport will be told in the gripping four-part documentary series ORIGIN STORY, from tonight – Wednesday, May 20 at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

The explosive genesis, tribal warfare, and the deep cultural impact of Australian sport’s greatest rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland is laid bare.

Before it was a ratings behemoth and the flagship event of the rugby league season, State of Origin was a desperate experiment. In Chapter 1 – Origin of Pride viewers return to where it all started in 1980, tracking how a dying, one-sided contest was miraculously transformed into rugby league’s ultimate battleground of identity, pride, and state loyalty.

On the rugby league battlefield, New South Wales and Queensland had been at war since 1908. But for 72 years, it wasn’t a fair fight. Under the old ‘state of residence’ rule, Queensland’s finest players – chasing opportunity in wealthy Sydney clubs – were legally forced to represent New South Wales. 

A single rule change ignited State of Origin, transforming a dying contest into rugby league’s fiercest rivalry driven by pride, identity, and state loyalty.

On July 8, 1980, at a packed Lang Park in Brisbane, a bold experiment was born: Game 3 would select players based on where they first fell in love with the game.

Featuring powerful storytelling, rare archival footage and firsthand reflections from the legends who lived it, the series charts the rise of State of Origin from a last-ditch experiment to a defining symbol of identity, pride and sporting excellence.

Produced by the award-winning team at Endemol Shine Australia, a Banijay Entertainment company – the creators of Married at First Sight, MasterChef Australia, Australian Survivor, as well as sports documentaries, Shaking Down the Thunder and No Holds Barred – Origin Story delivers a powerful and emotional look at the moments, players and rivalries that transformed State of Origin into the greatest spectacle in rugby league.

Endemol Shine Australia Director of Content, Marty Benson, said: “This series is something we’re incredibly proud of. The team has poured an enormous amount of passion, care and research into telling the story of State of Origin in a way that feels both cinematic and deeply authentic.

“Beyond the unforgettable moments on the field, this captures the emotion, identity and fierce pride that have made this rivalry such an enduring part of Australian sport and culture.”

Origin Story premieres tonight – Wednesday, May 20, on Channel 9 and 9Now. Check local guides for broadcast times.

Wednesday 20 May, 2026