QTQ

QTQ is a television station licensed to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and one of the principal stations forming the Nine Network. The station began broadcasting on 16 August 1959, becoming the first television station to operate in Queensland. Its historical analogue identity was closely associated with channel 9, while its current digital terrestrial transmission is identified with VHF channel 8. The station is owned by Nine Entertainment Co. and operates within the broader Nine Network television structure. QTQ's primary role is to provide Nine Network programming to Brisbane and surrounding Queensland audiences while producing local content for the Queensland market. Its most prominent local output is the Queensland edition of 9News, the network's evening news service. The bulletin combines local reporting with Queensland-focused weather, sport, live crosses and breaking-news coverage. It is also distributed beyond Brisbane through arrangements involving WIN Television, Imparja Television and commercial radio, extending the reach of the Queensland service into regional and remote parts of Australia. The station's local news operation has used a succession of presenters, reporters, producers and newsroom leaders. The referenced lineup includes Melissa Downes and Joel Dry as weeknight news presenters, Jonathan Uptin on sport and Garry Youngberry on weather, with Mia Glover presenting weekend bulletins alongside Dominique Loudon on sport and Luke Bradnam on weather. Other presenters, including Aislin Kriukelis, Alison Ariotti, Paul Taylor and Wendy Kingston, have served as fill-in or additional bulletin presenters. QTQ has also produced local editions of Nine Live Queensland and, until its cancellation in 2017, a weekday Morning News program. QTQ has played a significant role in the competitive Brisbane television-news market. Its news service has competed particularly closely with Seven News Brisbane, with presenter changes and newsroom events affecting the balance between the two services. The departure of weather presenter John Schluter for Seven in 2006 was followed by a period in which Nine Queensland lost its long-standing ratings advantage, although the station later regained the lead in 2013. The station's most serious reputational crisis was the 2011 Choppergate incident. Two reports broadcast during Nine News Queensland purported to show reporters near Beerwah, close to the location where the remains of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe had been found. Rival footage and radar evidence indicated that the helicopter was not at the claimed location. The incident resulted in the dismissal of reporters Melissa Mallet and Cameron Price and news producer Aaron Wakeley, while news director Lee Anderson resigned. Although the incident caused significant criticism of the station's journalism and editorial controls, the news bulletin subsequently experienced improved ratings and eventually re-established its position as Queensland's most-watched television news service by 2013. QTQ remains an active local television outlet under the Nine brand. Its identity is shaped by a combination of network programming, a Brisbane transmission footprint and locally produced Queensland news and current-affairs material.

QTQ began broadcasting from Brisbane on 16 August 1959 as Queensland's first television station. Its launch marked the arrival of commercial television in the state and established a long-term broadcast presence in Brisbane. The station became associated with the channel 9 identity and later operated as part of the Nine Network, delivering national network programs alongside local Queensland content. As television distribution evolved from analogue transmission to digital broadcasting, QTQ's technical identification changed. The station's digital service operates on VHF channel 8, while its public-facing identity has continued to be closely connected with Nine and the number 9. Its licensed service area is Brisbane, but its Queensland news operation has also been distributed through regional and remote broadcast partners, including WIN Television and Imparja Television. Selected bulletins have additionally been simulcast on River 94.9 radio. Local news has been central to QTQ's role. The station's principal bulletin, 9News Queensland, has combined Brisbane and statewide reporting with local weather, sport, live crosses and field reports. The operation has employed numerous recognizable presenters, including Melissa Downes, Joel Dry, Jonathan Uptin, Garry Youngberry, Mia Glover, Dominique Loudon and Luke Bradnam. Earlier presenters included Wally Lewis, John Schluter, Chris Bombolas, Mike London and others. QTQ also produced local editions of Nine Live Queensland from 2014. Its weekday Morning News service was later discontinued in October 2017. The station has competed directly with Seven News Brisbane for leadership in the metropolitan Queensland news market. John Schluter's departure for Seven in September 2006 was an important personnel change, and the resulting disruption was associated with Nine Queensland losing its long-standing ratings advantage in 2007. QTQ later rebuilt its performance and regained the Queensland news-ratings lead in 2013. QTQ's most prominent controversy occurred in August 2011 and became known as Choppergate. During two consecutive 9News Queensland broadcasts, reporters appeared to cross from a helicopter said to be near Beerwah, where the remains of Daniel Morcombe had recently been found. Rival video and radar information showed that the helicopter was not at the represented location. The episode raised serious questions about journalistic accuracy, editorial supervision and the authenticity of live television reporting. Nine dismissed reporters Melissa Mallet and Cameron Price and producer Aaron Wakeley, while news director Lee Anderson resigned. Despite the reputational damage, the bulletin saw a short-term ratings increase after the incident and eventually recovered its position as Queensland's leading television news service. QTQ continues to operate as Nine Entertainment Co.'s Brisbane television station and as a major source of locally produced Queensland news within the Nine Network.

• 2017

  Morning News is discontinued

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  QTQ's weekday Morning News bulletin is removed from the schedule in October 2017.

• 2014

  Nine Live Queensland local editions begin

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  QTQ begins producing local editions of Nine Live Queensland on weekdays.

• 2013

  Nine Queensland regains ratings leadership

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  The station's Queensland news service regains the local ratings lead after several years behind Seven News Brisbane.

• 2011

  Choppergate controversy

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  Two 9News Queensland helicopter crosses are exposed as inaccurately representing the aircraft's location, leading to newsroom dismissals and the resignation of the news director.

• 2006

  John Schluter departs for Seven

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  Weather presenter John Schluter resigns in September 2006 to join rival Seven News Brisbane.

• 2003

  Mike London leaves the station

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  News presenter Mike London resigns from QTQ in June 2003 after allegations concerning arrangements involving a complaint about fellow presenter Bruce Paige.

• 1959

  QTQ begins broadcasting

  [1]QTQen.wikipedia.org

  QTQ starts transmission on 16 August 1959 and becomes the first television station in Queensland.

A metropolitan Queensland television station combining Nine Network programming with locally produced Brisbane and Queensland news coverage.

• Local television news

  9News Queensland

  QTQ's principal Queensland news service, providing Brisbane and statewide reporting through evening and other scheduled bulletins. The program includes local news, sport, weather and live reporting, and is distributed beyond Brisbane through regional and remote broadcast arrangements.

• Local television news · 2014

  Nine Live Queensland

  A locally produced Queensland news format introduced by QTQ in 2014. Weekday editions supplemented the station's main evening bulletin and provided additional local news coverage.

• Television news bulletin

  Morning News

  A weekday morning news bulletin previously produced or carried by QTQ. The service was discontinued in October 2017.

• Free-to-air television programming

  Nine Network programming

  QTQ carries the national programming slate of the Nine Network while inserting Brisbane and Queensland-specific news and other local material.

• 2011

  Choppergate

  During 9News Queensland broadcasts on 20 and 21 August 2011, helicopter crosses were presented as taking place near Beerwah, but evidence showed that the aircraft was elsewhere. The incident led to the dismissal of reporters Melissa Mallet and Cameron Price and producer Aaron Wakeley, and the resignation of news director Lee Anderson.

  Source

Read more

• 2017

  Discontinuation of Morning NewsStrategy

  Background

  QTQ reviewed its local news schedule and weekday programming mix.

  Action taken

  The weekday Morning News bulletin was axed in October 2017.

  Aftermath

  The station continued its principal Queensland news and other local news programming.

  Source

• 2014

  Launch of local Nine Live Queensland editionsProduct launch

  Background

  QTQ sought to expand its locally produced Queensland news output beyond the main evening bulletin.

  Action taken

  The station began producing local weekday editions of Nine Live Queensland.

  Aftermath

  The format became part of QTQ's local news offering before the separate weekday Morning News service was later discontinued.

  Source

1. 1QTQen.wikipedia.org