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Nine Network (commonly known as Channel Nine or simply Nine) is an Australian commercial television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. The Nine Network is one of five main free-to-air networks in Australia.

The Nine Network has been the second highest rating television network in Australia since 2007, behind the Seven Network and ahead of Network Ten, ABC and SBS.^[1] Nine had historically been the highest rating television network since television's inception in Australia in 1956 for most years up to 2006, although the Ten Network had dominated in 1985 and for a number of years in the 1970s. The Nine Network's was overtaken in the ratings in 2007 by its rival, the Seven Network, which has dominated ever since. As a result, Nine's slogan "Still the One" was discontinued. Since 2009, the network's slogan has been "Welcome Home". After a few years in the wilderness, with a period plagued by mass-sackings, programme cancellations and budget cuts, the Nine Network has enjoyed a period of stability and as of April 2012 Nine is well on it's way to regaining its previous position of the number one television network in Australia with an enormous network share thanks to The Voice Australia, The Block and The Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

History[link]

Origins[link]

TCN-9, the first regularly colourly television station in Australia, launched on 16 September 1956. John Godson introduced the station and Bruce Gyngell presented the first programme, This Is Television (in doing so becoming the first person to appear on Australian television). Later that year, GTV-9 in Melbourne began testing transmissions to telecast the 1956 Summer Olympics later forming the National Television Network alongside QTQ-9 in Brisbane and NWS-9 in Adelaide, the basis of the current Nine Network, in 1962. Before its formation, TCN-9 was then affiliated with HSV-7 (due to the fact that they were both Australia's first television stations, have been opened in 1956^[2]), and GTV-9's sister affiliate was ATN-7.

In 1967 the NSWRFL grand final became the first football grand final of any code to be televised live in Australia. The Nine Network had paid $5,000 for the broadcasting rights.^[3]

In the late 1980s, STW-9 Perth became a Nine Network owned-and-operated station when Bond Media purchased the network. However, in 1989, Bond Media sold the Perth-based station to Sunraysia Television for A$95 million, due to the Federal cross-media ownership laws, which restricted the level of national reach for media owners.^[4]

1977-2006: The Golden Era[link]

Nine began using the slogan "Let Us Be The One" (based by The Carpenters song) in 1977, and achieved widespread success, becoming the number 1 free to air network in Australia and National Nine News became the most watched news service. Soon after in 1978, Nine switched their slogan to "Still the One" (Patterned after the campaign used by ABC in the United States), which lasted until the ratings downfall in January 2006. During the 80s, Nine's ratings peaked and drove the network forward well into the 90s. From 1999 to 2001, the network began losing ground to Seven in news and entertainment, but received a boost after the 9/11 coverage in 2001^{[citation needed]}. Digital terrestrial television was introduced on 1 January 2001.

2006-2008: Nine loses to Seven[link]

Nine stayed strong throughout 2004 but was hit hard when Seven introduced a new line-up in 2005, even though Nine won the year. Meanwhile, National Nine News was overtaken by Seven News, while Today was beaten by Seven's Sunrise. In 2006, Nine continued on its downward trend, losing most news weeks to Seven News and just winning the year thanks to its coverage of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. To try to revitalise the network in its 50th anniversary, Nine adopted a new logo that heavily removes the nine dots, which was criticised due to the lack of the dots, which were part of the networks identity since 1970. In May 2007, Nine partially reintroduced the Nine dots, which resulted in the square logo changing into a 3D Cube that rotates, the dots were visible on every second side of the cube.

After a period of declining ratings compared to the Seven Network. David Gyngell returned to the job of CEO in October 2007, succeeding Eddie McGuire.

In 2007, despite several hits, Seven won the whole year by a significant margin. Nine received heavy criticism, due to its lack of new programming and lack of choice. The Seven Network had won 38 weeks, the Nine Network only won 2. However with David Gyngell as CEO of the Nine Network ratings were going to go back to normal.

2008-present: The Relaunch[link]

In 2008, as part of a major relaunch, the network dropped the blue box, and reinstated its nine dots in its logo, with a 3D look. After losing viewers to Seven News, Nine relaunched its news service as Nine News, which managed to win more weeks over Seven in the first half of 2008. Nine also launched a breakout hit, Underbelly which rated over 2.5 million viewers across most of Australia in its first season. Nine tried to attract younger demographics, so while Seven went on to win the ratings year in total people, Nine was rated the number one network in the key 18–49 and 25–54 demographics.

In 2009, Nine started relatively strongly thanks to the top rating Australian drama Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities and the Twenty20 Cricket series, but could not hold its audience after Network Ten's Masterchef became a massive hit. Nine became inconsistent with scheduling and removal of programmes. Nine also launched a number of reality shows, including Ladette to Lady, Wipeout Australia, HomeMADE, Australia's Perfect Couple and The Apprentice Australia, in the hope of achieving the same success other networks had with the genre. All the new formats underperformed in the ratings and did not help the network establish any stable local content. Nine also expanded its news strand with the re-introduction of a late night bulletin (for its owned-and-operated stations), an extended morning bulletin and weekend editions of Today. Despite this, the flagship 6pm state bulletins continued to fall in the ratings.

In August 2009, Nine launched its own digital multi-channel called GO! on Channel 99, primarily aimed at a younger demographic. The shares from GO! have contributed to Nine's weekly shares and have allowed it to enjoy several weeks of weekly ratings wins. In September, the Network took on a new slogan, Welcome Home and revamped its inconsistent graphic package. With the resurgence of Nine News, growth of Today, stabilisation of 60 Minutes and a new programme line-up consisting of Hey Hey It's Saturday, Underbelly and Sea Patrol, Nine enjoyed more ratings success.

In 2010, Nine obtained the rights to exclusive coverage of the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks. GO! won the year in digital shares only. On 26 September 2010, Nine launched their third digital channel GEM (an acronym of General Entertainment and Movies) on Channel 90. In 2011 the Nine Network announced a new "Home of Comedy" line-up with comedy shows such as Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and other American sitcoms along with the launch of a live comedy show Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth which was cancelled after only three episodes due to low ratings. Nine also brought back This Is Your Life with Eddie McGuire as host, although the series was cancelled after airing four episodes. Although the first half of 2011 was extremely poor, the Nine Network had success in the ratings, in the second half with The Block, Underbelly: Razor and The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. The highly anticipated return of a revamped ninth season of Two and a Half Men, proved a huge success for the network, generating a huge 2.6 million viewers and dominating the week as top program.^[5] The return of new episodes of the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory, was also a huge success for the network scoring high figures consistently week after week and dominating the evening as top program. The Nine Network, was in second place in the ratings again in 2011 on 19.6%, behind the Seven Network (23.1%) and ahead of the Network Ten (15.9%), ABC (12.2%) and SBS (4.6%).^[6]

On 24 November 2011, the Nine Network announced line-up for 2012, with a focus on reality programs including an Australian version of The Voice, the return of Big Brother, Excess Baggage and The Celebrity Apprentice Australia.^[7] The Nine Network will also air coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. A new morning show, "Mornings, replaced the cancelled Kerri-Anne, after nine years on air.^[7] The program is hosted by Sonia Kruger and David Campbell.

On 26 March 2012, the Nine Network launched EXTRA, a new channel aimed at delivering home shopping, brand funded, religious, community, educational and multi-cultural programming content created by advertisers.

Programming[link]

The Nine Network broadcasts a range of programming from Australian and overseas sources. Nine's current Australian programming line-up includes: Australia's Funniest Home Videos, The AFL Footy Show, The NRL Footy Show, RBT, Underbelly, The Block, 60 Minutes and Millionaire Hot Seat.

Children's programming includes: Hi-5, Kids' WB Australia, Kitchen Whiz, Pyramid and Magical Tales.

Most American programming that airs on Nine and its regional affiliates is sourced from Nine's studio-output deals with Warner Bros. Television, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate Television. The network's flagship programme is the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Other American programming on Nine include Two and a Half Men, The Mentalist, the CSI franchise, The View, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Days of our Lives and Entertainment Tonight.

In an attempt to attract advertisers, as there is wide industry consensus that most advertisers are more interested in programmes for younger audiences, new programming is expected to now be targeted towards the younger generation.^[8]

The Nine Network's prime time line-up is frequently criticised because of last minute scheduling changes and cancellations and late starting times, with most nights programming running between 5 and 10 minutes behind schedule. The strategy of relying on a hand of programs (most notable US sitcom Two and a Half Men or The Big Bang Theory) has also been questioned.^{[by whom?]} Reruns of Two and a Half Men are shown out of sequence with episodes from several different seasons often airing in the same night. This has resulted in much public scrutiny against the Network, with nine out of ten weekly episodes of Two and a Half Men being repeats, the highest ratio of any Network.^[9]

Feature films broadcast on the Nine Network are sourced from its studio-output deals, including Regency Enterprises, Sony Pictures, Lions Gate, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. It also broadcasts Australian and international titles distributed via Village Roadshow, Village Roadshow Pictures.

The network also broadcasts catalogue titles Paramount Pictures produced in 1990s prior to 2007. The broadcast rights to more recent titles Paramount now belong to Network Ten respectively.

News & Current Affairs[link]

The Nine Network's news service is Nine News (previously National Nine News). For decades, it was the top rating news service nationally but in recent years, the Seven Network's Seven News has overtaken the service. However The Nine Network is turning around. Nine's Sydney 6:00pm weekday news bulletin has overtaken Seven for the first time in seven years.

Robert McKnight, Nine's Manager of News and Current Affairs Promotions, Tweeted: "It's official: Nine News Sydney has won the 2011 ratings year! It's the first time in seven years! In weeks so far Nine News: 21 weeks [to] Seven News: 14 weeks." It is now impossible for Seven to catch up in this 2011 year. The Sunday Telegraph claims that Nine's Sydney 6:00pm Sunday news bulletin has also overtaken Seven, giving Nine a lead of 27 weeks to Seven's only 8.

^[10]

Nine produces several news bulletins and programmes, including Today, Weekend Today, as well as Nine Early Morning News, Nine Morning News, Nine Afternoon News and Nine News.

The news service also produces A Current Affair and 60 Minutes. During weekday overnights and Sunday mornings, Nine rebroadcasts American television network ABC's news and current affairs programme Good Morning America.

From 2008, major expansion saw Today broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays too, their weekday version running from 5.30am until 9am weekdays, the launch of the Nine Early News, the axing of the Sunday program, National Nine News becoming Nine News after poor ratings losing to Seven News, Nine Late News was launched then renamed as Nightline and the 11am bulletin be renamed as Nine Morning News, running from 11am until 12pm weekdays.

Meanwhile, several additions have been made to Nine News teams around the country, as well as the acquisition of more reporters by A Current Affair and also state-based Today reporters (plus a Weekend Today weather presenter).

Nine has posted journalists overseas to cover major European stories following the closure of its European bureau in late 2008, with the last European correspondent, James Talia, being redesignated to his former role as a Senior Melbourne Nine News journalist. Reporters including Simon Bouda, Allison Langdon, Chloe Bugelly, Tim Arvier and Brett McLeod have all been on projects for Nine News bulletins in Greece, UK, France, South Africa, Thailand and Czeckslovakia. This has raised concerns over whether it is viable to not have a European news bureau and presence in this increasingly globalised world, especially if Nine is to maintain an international focus and its quality news reputation, which recently has degraded.

Meanwhile, talk that Nine was going to close its Canberra bureau and merge with Sky News Australia have been denied by Nine. Plans were that Laurie Oakes would be retained for 6pm flagship bulletins, but otherwise, Nine would use "Sky News reporters" as it would refer to them, namely David Speers, on political topics. Its Canberra presence has declined in recent months. Four producers have been sacked amidst Nine's belt-tightening, whilst a permanent political reporter role has been scrapped, as Daniel Street, former political reporter (supplement to Oakes) has taken up a scholarship in London. The likes of John Kerrison, Brett McLeod, Jayne Azzopardi, Tracy Vo and Chris Urquhart have all since been temporarily posted in Canberra, in what seems to be a role void for Nine.

Today has since overtaken Sunrise on numerous occasions, whilst Nine News, especially on Sundays, has done so too. Both Today and Nine News beat their Seven counterparts regularly in the east coast broadcasts. Local A Current Affair bulletins in Perth and Adelaide have been scrapped by WIN stations there for not performing as well as expected. In 2010 Nine News created an iPhone/iPad app. A short time later, Seven had copied the Nine Network.

Sport[link]

Channel 9 broadcasts all sporting events under the Wide World of Sports brand. The flagship sports of the brand are Cricket, National Rugby League (NRL), and formerly Australian rules football, until Nine lost the rights in 2006, and Super League while it existed. NRL games are broadcast in prime time in New South Wales and Queensland on Friday nights, however are usually screened after midnight (or not at all) in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Nine's other popular recurring sporting events include the Rugby League State of Origin, British Open, US Golf Open, US Tennis Open, Wimbledon, the French Open, KFC Twenty20, Commonwealth Bank Series Cricket, and Test cricket and formerly the Australian Swimming Championships until Nine lost the rights in 2009. As well as this, the Nine Network, in joint partnership with subscription television provider Foxtel, has broadcast rights for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2012 Summer Olympics.^[11]

Nine also broadcast the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore on its digital channel GO!

Nine has been criticised by Melbourne NRL fans for choosing to show matches in that city delayed by several hours, as well as its decision not to broadcast the post-match celebrations of the 2009 NRL Grand Final, which the Melbourne Storm had won.

On 26 May 2010, Nine became the first free to air television channel in Australia to broadcast in 3D. The broadcast was the State of Origin.

Availability[link]

The Nine Network is simulcast in analogue and standard-definition digital. Nine is broadcast in metropolitan areas via Nine Network owned-and-operated stations, including TCN Sydney, GTV Melbourne, QTQ Brisbane and NTD Darwin, and by affiliate Channel Nine stations NWS Adelaide and STW Perth. Nine Network programming is also carried into regional Australia by affiliate networks WIN Television, NBN Television, and Imparja Television. Nine is also broadcast via satellite and cable on Foxtel and on Austar Digital on the cable pay TV service in Darwin.

Logos[link]

The Nine Network first used a shared logo produced and used across the metropolitan stations in 1970, featuring the numeral nine beside nine dots. The first set of identities was a "Dots TV" set. This logo has remained in use on the network, in differing forms across the decades, with various exceptions. In 1977, the nine dots were removed from the logo, but only for on-air idents. This lasted 11 years until 1988, when Bond Media purchased the network and reinstated the nine dots, with STW Perth becoming a Nine Network owned-and-operated station.^[4] In 1998, the dots were changed to spheres. The spheres returned to dots as a new on-air ident package was created by Velvet mediendesign in 2001. Three-dimensions were added to the numeral nine in 2002, coinciding with a revamp of the network's on-air identity.

In 2006, the network and its affiliates relaunched their logos to coincide with Nine's 50th anniversary and the chance to revitalize the network. The logo uses a 2D blue cube with the 9 inside it, which saw the removal of the nine dots. Later in 2007, the cube became a solid 3D box, and partially relaunched the nine dots, which is visible in every second surface of the box.

As a part of a major relaunch, Nine Network reinstated the nine-dots logo in 2008. The dots were represented as 3D discs in 2008, then 2D dots in July 2009, then later spheres in September 2009.^[12]

On April 2012, Nine Network's identity changes, now applying the logo in different colors such as red, green, purple and more, since the 2012 TV Week Logies premiere.

• 

  1970 – 1977; 26 January 1988 – 29 January 2006

• 

  1977 – 26 January 1988; used in on-air idents only

• 

  30 January 2006 – 14 January 2008

• 

  14 January 2008 – 26 September 2009

• Channel Nine logo.png

  27 September 2009 – present

See also[link]

Television in Australia portal

• List of Australian television series
• Nine HD
• GEM
• GO!
• EXTRA

Notes & references[link]

Further reading[link]

• Stone, Gerald (2000). Compulsive Viewing: the inside story of Packer's Nine Network. Ringwood, Victoria: Viking. ISBN 0-670-88690-4. 
• Stone, Gerald (2007). Who Killed Channel Nine?: The death of Kerry Packer's mighty dream machine. Sydney Australia: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-4050-3815-7. 

External links[link]

• Official website

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