Nine Network

The Nine Network (commonly known as Channel Nine or simply Nine) is an Australian commercial free-to-air television network. It is owned by parent company Nine Entertainment and is one of the five main free-to-air television networks in Australia.

From 2017 to 2021, the network's slogan was "We Are the One". Since 2021, the network has changed its slogan back to the one used from 1977–2006 "Still the One".

As of 2025, it is the second-rated television network in Australia, behind Seven, and ahead of ABC TV, Network 10 and SBS.

History

Origins

The Nine Network started broadcasting in Sydney as TCN-9 on September 16, 1956. Bruce Gyngell was the first person on Australian TV, presenting This Is Television. Later that year, GTV-9 in Melbourne began showing the 1956 Summer Olympics. The network added stations in Brisbane and Adelaide by 1959.

By 1967, it was called the National Nine Network, and in 1988, it became Nine Network Australia. Kerry Packer took over the company in 1974. The network was the first to regularly show programs in color in 1971.

1977–2006

In 1977, Nine used the slogan "Let Us Be The One" and became Australia’s top free-to-air network. Its news service, National Nine News, was the most-watched. In 1978, the slogan changed to "Still the One." The network faced challenges in the late 1990s and early 2000s but saw a boost after covering the 11 September attacks in 2001.

2006–2008

Nine had a hard time when Seven Network introduced new programs in 2005. By 2006, Seven overtook Nine in news ratings for the first time. Nine tried new logos and shows to stay competitive. David Gyngell returned as CEO in 2007.

2008–2014

Nine relaunched with a new logo and introduced popular shows like Underbelly. They also launched a high-definition channel called Nine HD in 2008. Despite some successes, Nine had rating challenges and changed their scheduling. They expanded news services and launched digital channels like GO! and GEM.

2014–2019

Nine relaunched 9HD and introduced new channels like 9Life. They updated their branding and launched 9Now, a streaming service, in 2016. Nine also signed new deals and changed their standard station ident.

2019–present

In 2019, Nine won the ratings year for the first time since 2006, helped by shows like Married At First Sight. The network continued to lead ratings in 2020 despite changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Nine launched 9Rush, a channel with action-themed reality series. In November 2020, Nine moved its Sydney studios to North Sydney. In March 2021, the network faced a cyberattack that disrupted some broadcasts. In 2021, Nine returned to WIN Television as its regional affiliate. In September 2024, the 2012 3D logo was replaced with the original 2008 2D logo on the Today Show.

Nine Network programming

Further information: List of programs broadcast by Nine Network

The Nine Network shows many special events each year, like the ARIA Music Awards and Carols by Candlelight. It also has news programs and popular shows such as Today and Today Extra.

Some shows you might see on Nine include Getaway, 60 Minutes, The Block, Australian Ninja Warrior, and Lego Masters. The network also airs favorite American shows like The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, as well as British game shows.

News and popular affairs

Further information: Nine News

Nine Network's news service is called Nine News. For a long time, it was the most popular news service in the country. Another network became more popular in the mid-2000s, but Nine News became the top news service again by the end of 2013.

Nine Network makes many news shows and programs. These include Today, Today Extra, Weekend Today, Today Early News, 9News Morning, 9News Afternoon, 9News: First at Five, local nightly news, and regional news for Northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast called NBN News. Since March 2020, there have also been national late-night news bulletins called Nine News Late.

The news service also makes A Current Affair, which airs every weekday and Saturday, Under Investigation, an investigative show that airs every Monday, and 60 Minutes, which airs every Sunday night. Until mid-2018, Nine also showed a news program from the American network ABC called Good Morning America during certain hours.

From 2008, Today started broadcasting on weekends, and many other changes happened to the news schedule. Nine News moved its website to 9news.com.au in 2014, and this website is still used today.

Nine has sent journalists to cover big stories in Europe and other countries. The Eyewitness News theme music, first used in the 1980s, has become the official theme for Nine News. This music comes from the film Cool Hand Luke and is now used across all of Nine's TV stations. Until November 2021, NBN News used its own theme music, but now it uses the same theme as Nine News. The theme is also used on Nine's radio service, Nine Radio.

Sport

Further information: Nine's Wide World of Sports

The Nine Network shows many sports under the Wide World of Sports name. Some big sports they show include Australian Open Tennis, National Rugby League (NRL) games, and netball in Australia. NRL games air on Friday nights on the main Nine channel in some parts of Australia, and on their multi-channel 9Gem in other areas.

Nine has also shown other events like the State of Origin series, Test cricket, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2010, Nine was the first free-to-air TV channel in Australia to broadcast in 3D. In 2017, Nine started showing live Super Netball matches every Saturday night. In 2018, Nine got the rights to show the Australian Open tennis tournament until 2029. In 2023, Nine regained the rights to show the Olympics starting from the 2024 Summer Olympics and continuing through the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane. In 2024, Nine also got the rights to show the Melbourne Cup horse race and its carnival until 2029.

Availability

The Nine Network can be watched in both standard and high-definition digital. Its main shows come from GTV in Melbourne and are shared with other stations. TCN in Sydney provides national news and current events. Local news and ads are added by stations in big cities and some parts of New South Wales, like TCN Sydney, GTV Melbourne, QTQ Brisbane, NWS Adelaide, STW Perth, NTD Darwin, and NBN Northern New South Wales & Gold Coast. The network also reaches regional areas through partners like WIN Television, Southern Cross Media Group, and Imparja Television. You can also watch Nine on satellite and cable through Foxtel.

9HD

Nine Network started a high-definition version of its main channel on 1 January 2001. It was called 9HD from 2008 to 2009, then changed again. It returned as a high-definition version on 26 November 2015.

9Now

Main article: 9Now

9Now is a service where you can watch shows on demand or catch up after they air. It started on 27 January 2016 and lets you watch live TV for Channel 9 and other channels online.

Logo and corporate identity

The Nine Network is famous for its logo with the number "9" and nine dots in a grid. The logo has changed many times over the years. In 1997, the dots looked like small balls, but they became dots again in 2001. The logo was updated in 2006 for the network’s 50th birthday, and many more changes happened after that. Each update brought new colors, shapes, and designs to keep the logo looking fresh and modern.

The network has used many different logo styles, from simple dots to shiny 3D shapes, and even changed how the number "9" looks. Some logos were used only in certain cities, while others were used all across Australia. The logo you see today started in 2008 and is still used now.

Slogans

The Nine Network has used many fun phrases to greet viewers over the years. Some popular ones include "Still The One", which has been used in different years, and "We Are the One", used from 2017 to 2021. Other phrases like "Welcome Home" and "Love This City" have also been part of their messages to viewers.