Nine Network
One of Australia's major free-to-air television networks.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
The Nine Network is an Australian free-to-air television network operating under the Nine Entertainment group. It began broadcasting in 1956 and developed into one of the country's principal commercial television services. The network is commonly identified by the Channel 9 and Nine brands and reaches audiences through broadcast television as well as digital distribution. Nine's programming scope covers national and local news, public-affairs and current-affairs programs, entertainment, drama, reality formats, lifestyle content, comedy, and sports. Its role is not limited to individual programs: the network functions as a broad programming and distribution platform within Nine Entertainment's wider media business. The television service is complemented by 9Now, Nine's online live-streaming and catch-up platform, which makes selected Channel 9 content available through computers, mobile devices, tablets, connected televisions, and other supported platforms. The network's long operating history reflects the development of commercial television in Australia. Since its launch, Nine has competed with other national and multichannel broadcasters for audiences, advertising, programming rights, and major live events. News and sport have remained important parts of its public identity, while entertainment and reality programming provide much of its broader general-audience schedule. The exact composition of the schedule changes over time according to programming decisions, rights arrangements, audience demand, and the wider strategy of Nine Entertainment. Nine Network should be distinguished from Nine Entertainment as a corporate group. Nine Entertainment owns and operates the network as part of a broader Australian media portfolio, while Nine Network is the consumer-facing television brand. The network remains active in Australia, with its linear free-to-air service increasingly supported by digital viewing through 9Now.
History
Nine Network began broadcasting in Australia in 1956 and became one of the country's established commercial television networks. Its development took place during the expansion of Australian television, when free-to-air broadcasters built national audiences through a combination of locally produced programs, imported content, news, entertainment, and live events. Over the decades, the Channel 9 service expanded its role beyond a single broadcast outlet. The network built a broad schedule intended to serve general audiences, with news and current affairs, entertainment, sport, reality formats, lifestyle programs, and other genres. Its competitive position has been shaped by audience ratings, advertising demand, access to significant sports and entertainment rights, and the performance of individual programs and presenters. Nine Network is now operated within Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited, a wider Australian media company. The network is therefore a brand and operating service within a larger corporate structure rather than a separately identified public company. Nine Entertainment's portfolio also supports the network's movement into digital distribution and cross-platform media consumption. A significant part of that transition is 9Now, Nine's online video service. 9Now provides live access to Channel 9 in supported circumstances and offers catch-up and on-demand viewing for selected Nine programs. The service extends the network's reach to mobile devices, tablets, computers, connected televisions, and other supported platforms. This digital layer complements, rather than replaces, the network's continuing free-to-air identity. Nine remains an active Australian television brand. Its present business combines the traditional reach of a national commercial broadcast network with online streaming and catch-up distribution. Because program lineups, rights arrangements, and corporate responsibilities change over time, individual shows and sports properties should be treated as schedule-specific offerings rather than permanent characteristics of the brand.
Products and positioning
A major Australian commercial free-to-air television network combining broad-audience programming with news, sports, entertainment, and digital streaming distribution.
Free-to-air television network · 1956
Channel 9
The core broadcast television service of the Nine Network in Australia. It carries a general-entertainment schedule including news, current affairs, sport, reality programming, lifestyle content, comedy, drama, and other television formats. The schedule and specific program rights vary by season and market.
Streaming and catch-up television
9Now
Nine's digital video-on-demand and live-streaming service. 9Now allows users to watch supported Channel 9 content online, including live television and catch-up programs, through mobile, tablet, computer, connected-television, and other supported devices.
Television news
9News
The Nine-branded news offering, covering Australian and international news and incorporating national and local news services. It is one of the network's principal editorial and programming pillars.
Controversies
2026
Robert Giuffre sues Nine Network and barrister Karrie Louden over 60 Minutes defamation
Robert Giuffre, the former husband of Virginia Giuffre, launched legal action in the Western Australia Supreme Court against Nine Network and Perth barrister Karrie Louden over allegedly defamatory and derogatory publications aired in a September 2025 60 Minutes episode. The writ claims the publications were false, without basis and malicious, causing him distress and damage to his reputation. Ms Louden declined to comment and Nine Network has been contacted for comment.
2022
Nine Network corrects A Current Affair report about the Queen and ivermectin
After an A Current Affair report inadvertently inferred that Queen Elizabeth II was being treated with ivermectin, Nine Network issued a correction. It said the shot of Stromectol was included because of human error, stated that it did not suggest the Queen was using ivermectin, and said it had apologized to Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, who accepted the apology.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Robert Giuffre sues Nine Network and barrister Karrie Louden over 60 Minutes defamation[2]
Robert Giuffre, the former husband of Virginia Giuffre, launched legal action in the Western Australia Supreme Court against Nine Network and Perth barrister Karrie Louden over allegedly defamatory and derogatory publications aired in a September 2025 60 Minutes episode. The writ claims the publications were false, without basis and malicious, causing him distress and damage to his reputation. Ms Louden declined to comment and Nine Network has been contacted for comment.
Reported
Nine Network corrects A Current Affair report about the Queen and ivermectin[3]
After an A Current Affair report inadvertently inferred that Queen Elizabeth II was being treated with ivermectin, Nine Network issued a correction. It said the shot of Stromectol was included because of human error, stated that it did not suggest the Queen was using ivermectin, and said it had apologized to Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, who accepted the apology.
Sources3 sources
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