Archives: Media Releases

Australia is out to extend their 1-0 series lead by fighting fire with fire when the second Test of The Ashes airs exclusive, live and free from 7.30pm AEST tomorrow – Wednesday, June 28 on the 9Network and 9Now. 

For all the hype around England’s Bazball playing style, it was the Aussies who made a statement in the First Test in a down-to-the-wire match that has set the tone for the series as it moves onto the home of cricket – Lord’s in London.  

Pat Cummins delivered with bat and ball when under pressure, and will need batsmen Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Marnus Labushagne to squash the vocal threats of English bowlers Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson. 

Nine’s commentary team is hosted by Roz Kelly, with expert comments from former Australian captain Mark Taylor, World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch and former international Callum Ferguson. Taylor will be joined on the ground at all five Tests by Louise Ransome.

Mark Taylor said: “The First Test lived up to all the hype and has set up a mouthwatering series. The contrasting styles of play are great to watch.

“After a narrow loss at Edgbaston, England have vowed to go harder. The Aussies have a great record at Lord’s, winning six of their last 10 Lord’s Tests and losing only two. 

“Another Aussie win will go a long way to retaining The Ashes. An intriguing contest awaits.”

THE ASHES SECOND TEST ON NINE: BROADCAST TIMES

Day 1 – Wednesday, June 28
Sydney                        7.30pm on Channel 9HD 
Melbourne                   7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on Channel 9HD 
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD, LIVE play from 7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Perth                           5.30pm on 9GemHD, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 2 – Thursday, June 29
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9Go, LIVE play from 7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9Go, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 3 – Friday, June 30
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on 9GemHD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9Go, LIVE play from 7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9Go, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 4 – Saturday, July 1
Sydney                        7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD, LIVE play from 7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 5 – Sunday, July 2
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on 9GemHD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD

AVAILABLE ON 9NOW

Don’t miss a moment of The Ashes on 9Now with all the action available following every day of play including

• Mini matches of each day of play
• Highlights of each day of play
• Full Session Replays
• Every wicket highlights
• Tubby’s Takeaway – Mark Taylor wraps up every day of play
• Plus Mini matches of each Test

SERIES SCHEDULE

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S ASHES LIVE AND FREE ONLY ON NINE

THE ASHES: SECOND TEST
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE – 9NETWORK AND 9NOW 
FROM 7.30PM AEST WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

As the world marks Olympic Day, Nine today announces it has entered into a partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee which will help support and promote athletes on their journey towards Brisbane 2032. 

With Nine now an Official Partner of the Australian Olympic Team, the three year partnership gives Nine cross platform marketing rights, and special access to content and athletes. The collaboration provides Nine with an opportunity to champion elite and up and coming athletes across an unrivalled ecosystem of assets covering television, audio and streaming.

The partnership covers Paris 2024, Milan Cortina 2026, the Youth Olympic Games in 2024 and 2026 as well as this year’s Pacific Games and World Beach Games, with Nine receiving exclusive access to the Australian team during these games. 

Complementing Nine’s ten year deal with the International Olympic Committee, being an Official Partner of the Australian Olympic Team cements Nine’s role as Australia’s Olympic Network and its commitment to share the inspirational stories of our athletes and growing the Olympic spirit. 

Today’s Olympic Day – a global annual event which promotes the Olympic spirit by encouraging people to be active or try an Olympic sport – is recognised in Australia by the #HaveAGo campaign. Led by the AOC, #HaveAGo encourages Australians to put 30 minutes aside to have a go at an Olympic sport, whether it be during their workplace lunch break or out of hours. 

Nine’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Sneesby, said: “Nine is proud to become an official partner of the Australian Olympic Team, playing a part to promote the Olympic movement. We look forward to working with the AOC over the coming years to help support our athletes as they strive for Olympic glory.

“On any given day, countless Australian children are playing sport dreaming of one day competing on the world’s ultimate stage. With Brisbane 2032 less than a decade away, our commitment to the Olympic movement is to shine a light on those dreams, share athletes’ stories and help grow the Olympic spirit.”

AOC Chief Executive Officer, Matt Carroll, said: “This is wonderful news for us on Olympic Day. The deal encompasses Nine’s television and radio networks across Australia as well as video on demand and streaming services.

“Nine will be broadcasting the Paris Games after signing a broadcast deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We are delighted to have Nine on board as a sponsor and we welcome their commitment to the AOC and our Australian Olympic Team.

“The AOC looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with Nine’s broadcast deal with the IOC taking them through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.”

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

Friday, June 23, 2023

From the ashes of the oldest rivalry in sport comes an insight into cricket’s lasting conflict when The Longest Feud: Chappell v Botham goes to air on Tuesday, June 27, on Channel 9HD and streams on 9Now. 

This hour-long Wide World of Sports special presentation unpacks the bitter rivalry between Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell and English champion all-rounder Ian Botham – a part of sporting folklore that spans five decades. 

Put simply, Chappell and Botham detest and loathe each other and have never settled their differences. 

In the middle of the 2023 Ashes series on Nine, and for the first time since their infamous pub fight that started it all back in February 1977, The Longest Feud: Chappell v Botham brings these two Ashes icons together, face-to-face, in an attempt to settle their entrenched differences. 

“An Ashes series is the perfect time to peel back the layers and explore what started this monumental feud, and why it has gone on for so long. It’s compelling and in many ways it’s also very confronting.”

Cos Cardone, CEO of the program producers, JAMTV, said: “The two Ians personify everything about the Australia versus England rivalry. But they go way beyond that – they make it very personal, very real, and very raw. 

Will old habits die hard, or after 46 years can they finally manage to break bread? There’s only one way to find out as this classic sporting rivalry bubbles to the surface for all to see in a riveting match-up on television.

The Longest Feud: Chappell v Botham was produced by JAMTV for Wide World of Sports.

BROADCAST DETAILS – THE LONGEST FEUD: CHAPPELL V BOTHAM
Tuesday, June 27

Sydney                 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Brisbane               7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Melbourne            7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Adelaide               7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Perth                    7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now

The 2023 Ashes is available exclusive, live and free on the 9Network or to stream on 9Now.

THE LONGEST FEUD: CHAPPELL V BOTHAM
7.30PM AEST TUESDAY, JUNE 27
CHANNEL 9 OR STREAM ON 9NOW

EPISODIC IMAGERY AVAILABLE HERE

REQUESTS TO VIEW VIA NINE PUBLICITY ON NINEMEDIAROOM.COM.AU

Friday, June 23, 2023

It’s nearly time to immerse yourself in RUSH, the big new global adventure program coming to Channel 9 and 9Now on Sunday, July 2, at 7.00pm.

Three teams of Aussies are put to the test in this thrilling race around the world. In nine different countries, Brazil, Turkey, Jordan, India, Thailand, Ireland, France, Kenya and South Africa, the teams have one mission: be the first to get out and move on to the next destination. 

Each team will be dropped into the middle of some of the most pulsating cultural festivals, huge events and exotic locations on Earth, including Carnival in Rio, St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, the colourful Holi festival in India and the throbbing techno moshpit of Tomorrowland in France.

The intrepid travellers arrive at each new drop point deprived of sight and sound. Once their noise-cancelling headphones and blackout goggles are removed their first task is to find host, David Genat, waiting for them with mission instructions.

In each location, Genat will give them a series of tasks which they must complete, immersing themselves in the chaos of the local culture before locating an extraction point amid the mayhem and rushing to the Escape Zone. They might have to organise and win a soccer match with the locals in Rio, find and photograph the Stone of Sacrifice in Petra in Jordan, or bungee jump from the world’s highest bridge, Bloukrans Gorge in South Africa. 

However, the last team to arrive at each Escape Zone in every country will need to eliminate one traveller from their team. 

As the numbers reduce and the teams dwindle to become individuals, one winner will emerge and win a life-changing prize of $100,000 and two first-class, around-the-world airline tickets.

Meet the three teams up for this fish-out-of-water global challenge:

TEAM NAVY

TEAM SCARLET

TEAM GOLD

RUSH is an original concept developed by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company) and Nine and will be represented internationally by Banijay.

RUSH
SUNDAY, JULY 2, AT 7.00PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

IMAGES AND MEDIA KIT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON NINE MEDIA ROOM

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
9Network Publicity
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Nine has promoted Anne Gruber and Matt Hair within its sport content solutions and commercial leadership team, in a move that further strengthens Nine’s sports marketing platform as it prepares for a huge sporting year ahead. 

As Director of Content Partnerships – Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Gruber will lead Nine’s sport content partnerships arm across all marquee sport assets including rugby league, tennis, rugby, cricket, golf and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The role will see her continue to provide content and integrated opportunities for brands and partners across Nine’s unrivalled sport ecosystem utilising the powerhouse creative solutions division Powered. 

Hair has been appointed as Director of Sales – Sydney Sport and Rugby League, continuing to lead Nine’s sport proposition in the Sydney market. He will also take on additional responsibility for rugby league assets across Nine. 

Both will report to Director of Sales – Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Matthew Granger.

The new roles represent another step in Nine’s investment in sport as a powerful content platform across a Total Television, Total Publishing and Total Audio landscape, underpinned by the unrivalled Powered. 

Nicki Kenyon, Director of Powered, said: “It’s fantastic to see this further investment in sport at Nine, which reinforces the role sport plays in our solution for clients. Powered sits in a unique place in the Australian market, and I’m excited about the next year ahead as we provide opportunities for brands across some of the most prestigious sporting events on the calendar.”   

Matthew Granger, Director of Sales – Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “Both these promotions are reflective of the depth of talent within our business here at Nine, they represent a critical investment in growing Nine’s mega sport marketing platform. Anne Gruber over the last eight and a half years has played an integral leadership role in the development and delivery of Nine’s sport content and integrated solutions for brands, which have included internationally awarded and market leading contextual content solutions. Anne is an outstanding executive, and I am excited to see where Anne, working with the incredible Powered team and Team Sport take the opportunities for brands across our assets”

“Matt Hair has led the Sydney Sport team for seven years and played an integral role in the evolution of Nine’s proposition for brands across our sport ecosystem. Matt’s broader marketing experience, business knowledge and leadership makes him the perfect person to lead our rugby league proposition and the evolution of sport within the Sydney market.”  

Both commence in their roles effective immediately.

High res images of Anne Gruber and Matt Hair HERE

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

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

A raw and straightforward approach has been voted as Australia’s best parenting style as Kat, this season’s Honest Parent, is crowned the winner of Channel 9’s Parental Guidance by her parenting peers.

Kat, a single mother of twins, was one of 12 sets of parents who bravely took centre stage for their unique, distinctly different parenting perspectives and methods to be meticulously unpacked, judged and scrutinised under the guidance of host Ally Langdon and parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson.

Throughout the series Kat earned admiration and respect for being able to perfectly balance a discerning side glance with unwavering love and an endearing dedication to enjoyment at every opportunity.

But ultimately it was tonight’s extreme wilderness mission tasked to Kat and the three other parenting style finalists (Team, American and Lighthouse) that saw her win the vote of the room for her innate “go get ’em” attitude and commitment to fostering a collaborative and fun family unit.

While Kat’s journey to victory was not as straightforward as her parenting style, she would not change a thing.

Kat said: “I’m the first to admit that I’m not the perfect parent, but who is? Crikey, my child was the example of what not to do in the online gaming challenge and gave away her street address! But that was as much my mistake as hers. We both learned an invaluable lesson that day, and our recovery is what I am giving us a pat on the back for.

“Having more regular conversations about these sorts of things is now the norm thanks to this experience and the tools and tactics I’ve adopted from this elite group of humans.”

Ally Langdon said: “What an emotional rollercoaster this season was. We laughed and we cried, but that sums up parenting, right? No two days or scenarios are the same. I admire Kat for staying true to her style throughout and showing Australia that it’s just as important for parents to celebrate the highs as it is to learn from the lows. I’m over the moon for her.”

Dr Justin Coulson said: “What a great coup for Kat. She fearlessly brought a raw and authentic approach to this season that was no easy feat, especially with tough topics like bullying, stranger danger, adult content and sibling rivalry being put to the test.

“The icing on the cake of this season was being introduced to some incredible people raising incredible children, and that’s all we can ask and hope for.”

Parental Guidance was produced by Eureka Productions for the 9Network.

FOLLOW @ParentalGuidance on Instagram
Watch more Parental Guidance on 9Now

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

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

The Women’s 2023 State of Origin title will be decided in Game 2, live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now this Thursday at 7.30pm AEST. 

Played in Townsville, the Queensland Maroons can secure the title at home provided they are not defeated by more than eight points on the points aggregate format for the series.

The New South Wales Sky Blues will have all guns firing with NRLW stars Isabelle Kelly, Millie Boyle, Jessica Sergis and Emma Tonegato leading the mission to bring the shield back south of the border.

Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw will lay Queensland’s path to Origin success with her own backline attacking weapons in Tamika Upton, Shenae Ciesiolka and Zahara Temara.

Nine’s coverage will be hosted by Danika Mason, assisted by rugby league experts Phil Gould, Allana Ferguson and Johnathan Thurston, commentator Peter Psaltis, and Emma Lawrence alongside Darren Lockyer on the sideline.

WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN II – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES
Thursday, June 22
LIVE from Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Sydney                 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane               7.30pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne            7.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now
Adelaide               7.00pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now
Perth                     5.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD and 9Now

WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN II
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, AT 7.30PM
 LIVE AND FREE ON 9NOW AND CHANNEL 9HD

Monday, June 19, 2023

After first capturing the hearts of Australia on Married at First Sight, Evelyn Ellis is now on another adventure to fall in love all over again with her vibrant hometown of Sydney on Getaway, next Saturday at 5.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

It will be love at first sight for viewers as Evelyn stops off at Balls Head Reserve to showcase her favourite view of the harbour, before enjoying her cocktail of choice at Cantina OK!, which boasts the city’s best margaritas.

Evelyn’s fun-filled itinerary then takes her to the Imperial Hotel to test her luck at drag bingo and enjoy a dazzling performance by the fierce and fabulous drag queens.

Since appearing on Married at First Sight, Evelyn has invited her social media following to enjoy her travel escapes from afar, from Florida to the Bahamas, Colorado to Bali.

Evelyn said: “It’s obvious that I love to share my adventures with those around me, so having the opportunity to take Getaway viewers on a spectacular trip around the city I call home is a true privilege.

“These spots are some of my best-kept secrets and I’m thrilled that the rest of Australia will have the opportunity to add them to their travel to-do list.”

This episode of Getaway will also feature a Polynesian experience in Hawaii, the rich cuisine of Noumea, and a trip to Queensland’s picture-perfect Great Keppel Island.

Evelyn will return to Getaway for a second guest spot on Saturday, July 8. 

GETAWAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, AT 5.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

#9Getaway
LIKE Getaway on Facebook
FOLLOW @getaway on Instagram
CATCH UP on 9Now

For further information, please contact:
Madison Long
Nine Publicity
madison.long@nine.com.au

Friday, June 16, 2023

The series is on the line and it’s do or die for the New South Wales Blues in the most daunting away fixture of all, the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, in State of Origin II – exclusive, live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now next Wednesday at 7.00pm AEST.

 QUEENSLAND V NEW SOUTH WALES
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
9NOW PLAYER CAMS – REECE WALSH AND MITCHELL MOSES 

After drawing first blood in Adelaide, Billy Slater’s Maroons are primed to clinch the series 2-0 in front of a raucous home crowd. 

With the odds stacked against New South Wales, coach Brad Fittler knows his Blues are in the fight of their lives to square the series. 

Led by James Tedesco, the Blues feature speedster Josh Addo-Carr, firebrand forward Liam Martin and new halfback Mitchell Moses, but face a daunting task containing Maroons magicians Cameron Munster, Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt, their hero in 2022.   

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

Rounding out the team is Danika Mason, delivering all the breaking news in the lead-up to kick-off, along with Allana Ferguson, and Mathew Thompson in the commentary box, where he will be joined by two of the greatest ever NSW and Queensland representatives, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith. 

Channel 9 will cross live during the broadcast to both Origin coaches, Billy Slater and Brad Fittler. They will also open the doors to Wide World of Sports in both camps, with viewers getting unprecedented access to exclusive content from extra cameras on the team buses, in dressing rooms and private team meetings in camp. 

Plus, 9Now will stream the game live with three additional second-screen streams to choose from, ensuring viewers won’t miss a thing:

• Player Cam QLD – Reece Walsh
• Player Cam NSW – Mitchell Moses
• Spidercam – An eagle-eye view of play to take you that little bit closer to the action

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

STATE OF ORIGIN II – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES
LIVE from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth                    5.00pm LIVE on 9GemHD, 5.30pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now

THE BUILD-UP TO ORIGIN II ON NINE

SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW: ORIGIN SPECIAL – Sunday, June 18, LIVE from 11.00am on Channel 9. Host Danika Mason will have all the latest news and will cross live to both Origin camps to hear from Fittler and Slater. On the panel, Andrew Johns, Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday.

100% FOOTY: ORIGIN SPECIAL – Monday, June 19. 100% at 10.20pm. Catchup on 9Now. 
Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould with Paul Gallen, journalist Michael Chammas and host James Bracey.

WALLY LEWIS – THE KING – Tuesday, June 20. 
In this hour-long presentation, Wally Lewis, Queensland’s favourite son and a rugby league Immortal, reveals the incredible rollercoaster that has been his life journey for 63 years.

SIX TACKLES WITH GUS
Phil “Gus” Gould sits down with Mat Thompson every week to give a sermon like no other on the greatest game of all. 

FREDDY AND THE EIGHTH – The eighth rugby league Immortal, Andrew Johns, previews Origin II with special guests Ryan Papenhuyzen and Darren Lockyer. 9Now and YouTube.

QUEENSLANDER – The Sunshine State’s favourite sons, Wally “The King” Lewis and Darren Lockyer, give their Maroon-coloured preview of how the Queenslanders are shaping up for Origin II. Available on 9Now and YouTube.

THE BILLY SLATER PODCAST
Get the hot take every week from the greatest fullback ever to play the game, Queensland coach Billy Slater, with host Mark Levy. Listen here

WWOS.NINE.COM.AU
The #1 online destination for all your Origin news content:

• Live blog featuring video highlights and analysis from Channel 9’s Origin commentators
• A comprehensive Match Centre, featuring video highlights, scores and stats
• The Mole’s no-holds-barred Player Ratings
• Match reports and analysis capturing all the big moments of the game

Gotcha4Life One Pass at a Time
Throughout Origin in 2023 Gotcha4Life, Nine and the NRL have combined for the One Pass at a Time campaign to raise funds for mental fitness programs in grass roots rugby league. 
Donate at: onepass.gotcha4life.org

STATE OF ORIGIN II
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, AT 7.00PM
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD 

Friday, June 16, 2023

The life and times of Shane Warne – cricket legend and cultural icon – will be celebrated in a major drama event when WARNIE premieres Sunday, June 25 and Monday, June 26 on Channel 9 and 9Now.

The late, great Shane Warne was truly a larger-than-life character both on and off the field – he transcended cricket. 

So what was it about this man? How did a kid from Black Rock – who made his living as a cricketer – come to be so famous and mourned by people from around the globe? 

After all, this is a man who never captained Australia, a sportsman who found himself in trouble, multiple times – at one point banned from the game he loved. Warnie lived his life in the spotlight, with every failing scrutinised by global media and had more than his fair share of controversy. Yet, in spite of all that, Shane Warne managed to retain the love of not only his family and friends but millions around the world. 

How did he pull it off?

Warnie possessed a rare gift: a genius for spin-bowling, an almost mystical art-form. He completely changed the game of cricket. When Warnie arrived, spin was dead. He turned the game on its head. He was passionate and unpredictable. A brilliant showman. Dangerous, whenever he got the ball. He battled serious injury and adversity. He made mistakes, fell out of favour and fought his way back – many times. 

Shane Warne loved life. He absolutely ate it up. He loved people and they loved him back. And through it all, he stayed true to himself. He lived to be a legend, an icon.

This is his story.

Warnie is produced for the 9Network by Screentime, a Banijay company, in association with VicScreen.

WARNIE
Sunday, June 25 at 7.00pm and Monday, June 26 at 7.30pm
on Channel 9 & 9Now

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

Thursday, June 15, 2023