The 'Nine Network', or 'Channel Nine', is an
Australian
television network based in
Willoughby, a suburb on the
North Shore of
Sydney. One of three major
free-to-air commercial networks in Australia, its slogan "
Still The One" refers to their past ratings success, being the most popular television station since the introduction of television in Australia. The network has consistently proven itself the country's most watched television network, defeated only once in
2000 by its rival, the
Seven Network. At present, however Seven is set to win the
2007 ratings year.
[1][2]
The network will move its production facilities to a purpose built site in
Macquarie Park, joining subscription service
Foxtel in
2008, following the opening of the
Epping to Chatswood Rail Link. The current Willoughby studios are used for national news bulletins as well as other shows such as
Mornings with Kerri-Anne and
The NRL Footy Show.
History
TCN-9, the first regularly transmitting television station in
Australia, launched on
September 16,
1956. John Godson introduced the station and
Bruce Gyngell presented the first programme, ''This Is Television'' and 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.
Soon afterwards,
STW-9 Perth joined the network in the late
1980s. It was
owned and operated by Nine until its sale to
Sunraysia Television in
1989.
Darwin station
NTD-8 was integrated into the network at the start of
2003.
On
October 18,
2006 James Packer sold 50% of the network's parent company
PBL Media to
CVC Asia-Pacific, in a deal valued
$4.6 billion.
[3] PBL Media later purchased regional network
NBN Television, on
May 1,
2007 for an estimated $250 million
[4]. A further 25% of PBL Media was sold to CVC on
June 1,
2007 for $515 million, effectively forgoing control of the day-to-day operations of the network.
[5]
Programming
In 2005
Seven had a ratings resurgence on the back of popular US shows ''
Lost'', ''
Desperate Housewives'' and
Grey's Anatomy, and a few
Australian shows,
Dancing with the Stars and
Border Security, defeating Nine in consecutive weeks before a strong return to form from Nine as the year progressed. In
primetime like its broadcast rivals, Channel Nine relies heavily on overseas programming (mostly from the American
CBS network).
Nine's current Australian programming lineup consists of television shows including; ''
1 vs 100'', ''
Australia's Funniest Home Video Show'', ''
Getaway'', ''
McLeod's Daughters'', ''
Sea Patrol'', ''Missing Persons Unit'', ''
Mornings with Kerri-Anne'', ''
The Mint'', ''
Temptation'', ''
The Footy Show'' and ''
What's Good For You?''. Australian content on Channel Nine is predominately comprised of non-scripted programs.
In November 2006, rival
Network Ten won the rights to broadcast the
New Year's Eve firework show. Nine had held the rights since the screening began in 1995.
American programming on Nine includes; ''
Gilmore Girls'', ''
Close to Home'', ''
Cold Case'', '', '', '', ''
ER'', ''
Justice'', ''
Men In Trees'', ''
Nip/Tuck'', ''
Rome'', ''
Super Nanny'', ''
Survivor'', ''
The Apprentice'', ''
The Closer'', ''
Weeds'', and ''
Without a Trace''. New programs soon to air for Nine's 2007 lineup include; ''
Kidnapped'', ''
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip'', ''
The Nine'', ''
Runaway'', and ''
Smith''. Most of these shows that appeal to younger audiences have been shelved to air in summer non ratings period. ''
Damages'', a new series starring
Glenn Close and
Rose Byrne will premiere on the Nine Network in late
2007, only days after airing in the US.
In an attempt to attract advertisers, as they are more interested in programmes for younger audiences, Nine have announced they will be trying to appeal to the younger generation in 2008. Among the new show in Nine's 2008 line-up are:
Viva Laughlin,
Cashmere Mafia,
The Big Bang Theory,
The Return of Jezebel James,
Sarah Connor Chronicles,
Pushing Daisies,
Canterbury's Law and
Aliens in America.
News & Current Affairs
''National Nine News Brisbane'' with Bruce Paige and Heather Foord
Channel Nine's news service is called ''
National Nine News'' and is considered by some viewers to be
conservative[6]in its reporting. For decades ''National Nine News'' was the most popular source of news for Australians, but rival Seven has overtaken them in the past few years. ''National Nine News'' produces bulletins and programs including; ''
Today'', ''
National Nine News: Morning Edition'', ''
National Nine News: Afternoon Edition'', ''
National Nine News'', and ''
Nightline''. National Nine News also assist in production of; ''
A Current Affair'', ''
60 Minutes'', and ''
Sunday''.
Sport
Channel Nine broadcasts all sporting events under the Wide World of Sports brand. The flagship sports of the brand are
National Rugby League,
Cricket and formerly
Australian Rules Football until Nine lost the rights in 2006.
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 and Western Australia. It is speculated that the Wide World of Sports brand will be phased out in
2007, to be replaced by the
FOX Sports brand.
Nine's other popular recurring sporting events include the
Rugby League State of Origin,
Telstra Swimming Championships,
British Open,
US Golf Open,
US Tennis Open,
Commonwealth Bank Series,
Australian Summer of Cricket, and
Wimbledon.
Current schedule
'Note':
''News & Current Affairs'' are in 'Grey';
''Drama'' is in 'Blue';
''Sitcoms'', ''Animation'' and ''Comedy'' are in 'Purple';
''Lifestyle programs'' are in 'Green';
''Factual programs'' and ''Documentaries'' are 'Yellow';
''Reality'', ''Game shows'' and ''Talk shows'' are in 'Red';
''Sport'' is in 'Orange';
''Movies'' are in 'Pink'.
The above represents Nine's usual primetime schedule. It does not reflect one-off events, and program starting times may vary from those shown. For up-to-date information, see the Nine Network's online television guide. (link)
Availability
The Nine Network is simulcast in
analogue,
standard definition and
1080i high definition. Nine is broadcast in metropolitan areas via Nine Network
owned-and-operated stations, these include
TCN Sydney,
GTV Melbourne,
QTQ Brisbane, and
NTD Darwin. Nine Network programming is also carried into other metropolitan areas and regional Australia by affiliate networks (some of which are locally branded), these include
NWS Adelaide,
STW Perth,
WIN Television,
NBN Television, and
Imparja Television.
Identity
On
January 30 2006, the Channel Nine and its affiliate stations relaunched to coincide with Nine's 50th year of broadcasting. The decision to relaunch was made by interim CEO
Sam Chisholm and late PBL Deputy Chairman
Kerry Packer early in 2005.
The new logo designed by Bruce Dunlop Associates lacked Nine's distinctive Nine dots, which had been an Australian television icon since
1970. The rebranding of Nine also saw ''
National Nine News'', ''
A Current Affair'', ''
Today'', ''
Nightline'',
Wide World of Sports, and
Sunday receive new designs.
On
28 January 2006, television history website
aus.tv.history displayed an image what it claimed to be the new Nine Network logo, which was, true to form, a number nine in a box without the dots. The nine is in the same font as the previous "9" logo.
On
May 19 2007, the Nine Network reintroduced the nine dots back into their logo. The dots are only visible, however, when the logo animates on idents for shows through a translucent box that turns to display the solid "9" logo.
Logos
The 'Nine Network' has used many logos throughout its history.
| | | | |
|---|
| 1970 - 1976 | 1977 - 1987 | 1988 - 2006 | 2006 - present |
|---|
'Note': ''Pre-network logos can be found at the following articles; TCN, GTV, QTQ, NTD.''
References
1.
Seven from Seven in 07 Seven Network
2. Trends in audience share
3.
4. SP Telemedia seals sale of NBN to PBL
5. PBL sells a 25% interest in PBL Media to CVC
6. Back to the box
Further reading
★
Compulsive Viewing: the inside story of Packer's Nine Network, , Gerald, Stone, Viking, 2000, ISBN 0-670-88690-4
See also
★
★
List of Nine Network presenters
★
★
List of Nine Network slogans
External links
★
Official Site
★
Channel Nine at
Aus TV History
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