Archives: Media Releases

Get ready to embark on a transformative journey of creativity and resilience when Budget Battlers premieres on Wednesday, December 4, at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. 

Hosted by former Block favourites, Jess Eva and Norm Hogan, this groundbreaking new series tackles full-blown makeovers with an unprecedented challenge: transforming four different Aussie homes in four weeks on the tightest budget yet seen on Australian television. 

As inflation, soaring living costs and interest rate increases keep the idea of home renovation out of reach for many, Budget Battlers arrives to prove that dreams can still come true – on a budget. 

The Budget Battlers team gears up with just $10,000 per home, a group of selfless volunteers and only five working days, to inspire viewers with jaw-dropping transformations, changing the lives of those who need it the most.  

In the season premiere, Jess and Norm meet Tim, a father of four who is always ready to lend a hand, expecting nothing in return. Despite his selfless nature and long hours on the farm, Tim has neglected the most important thing – his own home. Now is the time for the Budget Battlers team to step in.  

As the series unfolds, viewers will meet Sandra, a resilient single mother of three. In February, 2024, Sandra’s world was turned upside down when hail lashed the small Gippsland town of Mirboo North, destroying houses and tearing down trees, leaving  a trail of destruction. 

The Budget Battlers team heads to the coastal suburb of Yorkeys Knob, outside Cairns, where Gordon and Tricia lost everything when ex-tropical cyclone Jasper made landfall on December 13, 2023. They get a much-needed helping hand as Jess and Norm take on the monumental challenge of restoring their home for good.  

The season culminates in an emotional finale, where the team rallies around Jack and Shae, who also lost their home in the 2023 cyclone. Among the many challenges the team faces as the days tick down to the final reveal are tight deadlines and the need for last-minute supplies to transform the damaged house into a welcoming family home.  

With a new house to renovate each episode, Budget Battlers highlights the heart and determination of struggling everyday Australians, who deserve a helping hand. At its core is the unshakeable belief that, with tenacious spirit, even the most ambitious  renovation goals can be achieved with a willing attitude – and with a little help.  

Budget Battlers is produced by Northlight Productions and the 9Network. 

BUDGET BATTLERS 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, AT 8.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW
#Channel9 #BudgetBattlers 

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Australia’s finest investigative journalism in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, 60 Minutes and Stan was recognised at the 69th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism tonight, with Nine collecting an astounding 11 Walkleys – more than any other media organisation. 

Journalists from The Age, the Herald, the Financial Review and 60 Minutes – Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman, Ben Schneiders, Amelia Ballinger, Reid Butler and Garry McNab – won the highest honour in Australian journalism, the Gold Walkley, for revealing the nation’s most powerful union, the CFMEU, had been infiltrated by bikies and organised criminals.

The Building Bad investigation exposed widespread allegations of corruption and intimidation within the CFMEU, resulting in the union being placed under administration by the Fair Work Commission and several high profile union officials being sacked.

The series of stories ran across The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes, also collecting a Walkley for Television/Video:Current Affairs Long.

McKenzie was also recognised for an investigation into Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo and his attempt to oust enemies, promote politicians he considered allies and lobby to muzzle the press. Alongside Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger, the investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes was awarded Scoop of the Year and Television/Video: Current Affairs Short. 

Nine’s proud history of undertaking difficult investigative reporting was highlighted by several investigative stories being awarded Walkleys, including an investigation into the unfolding environmental and health crisis of ‘forever chemicals’ by Carrie Fellner, Matt Davidson, Matthew Absalom-Wong and Michael Evans. 

Fellner – along with Katrina McGowan, Janine Hosking and Mat Cornwell – also took out a second Walkley for the joining documentary ‘How to Poison A Planet’ which screened on Stan.   

Arts writer Linda Morris and investigative reporter Eryk Bagshaw won the specialist/beat reporting category for their work exposing mining billionaire Gina Rinehart’s campaign to have a portrait removed from the National Gallery of Australia, while the mastheads’ Visual Stories team was also recognised with an Explanatory Journalism Walkley for ‘faster, higher, stronger’, an interactive story comparing athletes from 100 years ago to today.

David Leser was awarded Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique for his features about the war in Gaza.

The Walkleys also highlighted Nine’s unparalleled investment in photography and illustration by awarding the Herald’s Cathy Wilcox a Walkley for her ‘Break glass’ Cartoon; while the Herald’s Nick Moir was named the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year. 

“This has been an incredible year for the unrivalled journalism at the Herald and The Age. This is deserved recognition for the journalists, editors, photojournalists and artists who serve our readers every day,” said Luke McIlveen, Executive Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday. 

Fiona Dear, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, said the Walkley wins for 60 Minutes highlighted how collaboration between Nine’s newsrooms ensures the company’s investigative journalism reaches a diverse and wide audience.      

“The collaboration of Nine’s publishing and broadcast teams is one of the most formidable investigative units in the country and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Dear. “Nick McKenzie is one of Australia’s most powerful investigative journalists. His prosecution of the CFMEU and the impact of that story, has had a profound effect on the construction industry.”  

Full list of Nine winners here:

69th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism:

GOLD WALKLEY – Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders, Amelia Ballinger, Reid Butler and Garry McNab – The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes (Building Bad)

PRINT/TEXT NEWS REPORT – Carrie Fellner, Matt Davidson, Matthew Absalom-Wong and Michael Evans, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, ‘The factory that contaminated the world’ 

ALL MEDIA: COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS, OPINION AND CRITIQUE – David Leser, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, ‘The war in Gaza: Not in my Jewish name’

ALL MEDIA: EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM – Faster, higher, stronger team (The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) ‘faster, higher, stronger’

ALL MEDIA: CARTOON – Cathy Wilcox, The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Break glass

ALL MEDIA: SCOOP OF THE YEAR – Nick McKenzie, Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘The Pezzullo files’ 

ALL MEDIA: SPECIALIST AND BEAT REPORTING – Linda Morris and Eryk Bagshaw, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and Brisbane Times, ‘The portrait Gina Rinehart doesn’t want you to see’ 

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS SHORT (UNDER 20 MINUTES) – Nick McKenzie, Amelia Ballinger and Michael Bachelard, Nine, 60 Minutes, ‘The Power Player’ 

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS LONG (OVER 20 MINUTES) – Building Bad Team – The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes ‘Building Bad’

WALKLEY DOCUMENTARY AWARD – Katrina McGowan, Janine Hosking, Mat Cornwell and Carrie Fellner, iKandy Films and Stan, How To Poison A Planet

NIKON-WALKLEY PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR – Nick Moir, The Sydney Morning Herald

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

The Age Good Food Guide 2025, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across Victoria, launches tomorrow after Moonah was named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year at a chef-studded awards ceremony held at the glamorous Plaza Ballroom tonight.

Moonah restaurant, which is on the Bellarine Peninsula, was awarded the top honour for its hyper-regional menu, with ingredients grown and sourced within a 200-kilometre radius of the restaurant. The award comes as the annual Good Food Guide marks its 44th edition, and as Australia’s most respected food and drinks title ushers in a new era with a new Good Food app. 

The premium subscription-based app – available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, or as a standalone subscription – will house the digital offering of the Good Food Guide. Featuring more than 900 reviews from the Age and SMH guides, the app will be an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers containing recipes, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.  

The annual Age Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants since 1980, and this year’s Guide is a compilation of 500 independent reviews visited by our team of critics over the past eight months. Good Food is considered Australia’s most respected food and beverage title, and its coveted hats – from one to the pinnacle of three hats – are recognised as the industry gold standard.

The glamorous awards ceremony – supported by long-term co-presenting partner Vittoria Coffee and co-presenting partner Oceania Cruises – was held at the Plaza Ballroom on Collins Street, known for its Spanish Rococo architecture. Five hundred chefs, restaurateurs and industry legends from Victoria’s dining and drink scenes gathered as 16 awards, along with the hats, were announced. 

Jung Eun Chae from Chae took out the coveted Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award for his next-level dedication to preparing slow Korean food according to time-honoured methods. 

This year’s Guide includes 142 restaurants awarded one or more hats: four restaurants received three hats, 29 restaurants received two hats and 109 restaurants received one hat. The three-hat winners were Amaru, Brae, Minamishima and Vue de Monde.

With the industry undergoing a reckoning with its record on workplace safety, a new award was introduced this year for Cultural Change Champion. Awarded to Jamie Bucirde of Not So Hospitable and On The Cusp, the inaugural award recognises these advocacy and training groups for addressing workplace sexual harassment.

Legendary Australian chef Greg Malouf was posthumously awarded the Vittoria Coffee Legend Award. The globally-renowned chef, who was a pioneer of modern Middle Eastern cuisine, passed away in September but his influence on chefs, restaurants and home cooks around the world was groundbreaking. 

“It’s been a tough year for many restaurants – and consumers – in the midst of a cost-of-living crunch. But to see our hospitality scene continue to excel and strive for greatness as they adapt to these circumstances is nothing short of inspiring,” said Emma Breheny, The Age Good Food Guide editor. 

“This edition of the Guide is about eating well at more price points, and in more places, than ever before. Among more than 500 reviews covering 60-plus cuisines, there are still big-ticket restaurants where desserts are flambeed tableside and heaving hotspots with lines out the door. But there are also decades-old spots that specialise in one thing to the point of obsession,” said Ellen Fraser, fellow editor of the Guide.

“We’ve also for the first time included a section dedicated to excellent snacks, many costing less than $10,” added Breheny.

Bar Olo in Carlton took out New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co, while Messmates in Warragul was named Regional Restaurant of the Year. 

The Critics’ Pick Of The Year was awarded to Danny’s Kopitiam. The humble Malaysian restaurant in suburban Glen Waverley is a local institution and is run by 78-year-old Danny Ko. 

Saavni Krishnan, who works at Manze in North Melbourne, was awarded Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg and Nicole Sharrad was awarded the Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award.

The Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award was given to Rajnor Soin from Vue de Monde, while Bar Spontana in Brunswick, was awarded Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.

Cafe of the Year went to Moon Mart in South Melbourne; Apollo Inn took out Best Bar while The Punters Club in Fitzroy was awarded Pub of the Year; Sommelier of the Year was awarded to Tess Murray, Chauncy; and the Food for Good award was handed to Samesyn.

“While the Good Food Guide is the home of the hats, it continues to evolve across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs, offering an annual snapshot of the most exciting, outstanding venues you need to know about,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.

“With money tighter than ever for most diners, people want to know where they should spend their money, and be able to trust those recommendations. The guide, and the new Good Food app, takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect spot for you to eat, no matter what the occasion.”

The Age Good Food Guide 2025 magazine is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $19.95 from Tuesday, November 19 and tonight via the Good Food app. The app is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, or as a standalone subscription. 

The Age Good Food Guide 2025 award winners: 

Restaurant of the Year – Moonah
Chef of the Year – Jung Eun Chae, Chae
New Restaurant of the Year – Bar Olo
Regional Restaurant of the Year – Messmates
Service Excellence Award – Rajnor Soin, Vue de Monde
Smeg Young Chef of the Year – Saavni Krishnan
Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award – Nicole Sharrad
Sommelier of the Year – Tess Murray, Chauncy
Legend Award – Greg Malouf
Drinks List of the Year – Bar Spontana
Cafe of the Year – Moon Mart
Bar of the Year – Apollo Inn
Pub of the Year – The Punters Club
Critics’ Pick Award – Danny’s Kopitiam
Food for Good Award – Samesyn 
Cultural Change Champion – Jamie Bucirde, Not So Hospitable and On The Cusp

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 18, 2024

Australia’s best men’s golfers will take over Nine’s Wide World of Sports this week with the first of the Aussie majors, the BMW Australian PGA Championship, live and free from Thursday to Sunday on the 9Network and 9Now. 

Competing for a prize purse of $2 million, 156 golfers will battle it out at Royal Queensland Golf Club to lift the Kirkwood Cup across four days of action.

Aussie Min Woo Lee is back to defend his crown at Royal Queensland, where he faces off against fellow big name countrymen Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert as well as a host of players from the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

Former World No.1, Jason Day, said: “I’m extremely excited to be coming back home to Queensland, and play in front of the Aussie fans. I’ve seen the amazing atmosphere at ‘RQ’ the past few years and can’t wait to experience it for myself.”

Viewers can stream every round anywhere, anytime for free on 9Now. The opening rounds are available on 9GemHD on Thursday and Friday, before switching to Channel 9HD after the cut, as competition heats up on Saturday and Sunday from 11.00am AEST. 

Nine’s Brenton Speed will feature in commentary throughout the tournament. Then we’re back on the tee when the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne runs from November 28 to December 1, all live and free on the 9Network.

BMW Australian PGA Championship
November 21 to 24
Royal Queensland Golf Club

Follow @WWOS on Instagram
LIKE Wide World of Sports on Facebook
#9WWOS

For further information, please contact:
Ryley McKay
ryley.mckay@nine.com.au

Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Monday, November 18, 2024

3AW leads Melbourne’s airwaves as the city’s clear No.1 radio station.

The release of GfK Radio 360 Survey 7 results today reveal 3AW has a winning audience share of 14 (up 0.5 year-on-year) and a dominant commercial streaming share of 28.7%.

Every week, the station’s engaging blend of live, locally-focused talk radio attracts a cumulative audience of 781,000 listeners across Melbourne.

In the 25-54 demographic, 3AW has a cumulative audience of 211,000 listeners – up 14.7% on Survey 6.

Ross and Russ lead Melbourne’s breakfast radio scene with a 20.8 share – a substantial 10.1 point advantage over their closest competitor. Each week, 516,000 Melburnians listen to this award-winning team. The duo also secured an impressive 53.6% share of the commercial streaming audience.

In his seventh survey in the morning slot, Tom Elliott has solidified his position as Melbourne’s top choice, capturing a leading 15.7 share and a cumulative weekly audience of 519,000. He also leads with a commercial streaming share of 27%.

Tony Moclair is the No.1 Afternoon talk program with a 9.5 share – 5.4 points ahead of his closest talk rival.

Jacqui Felgate has strengthened her standing as Melbourne’s No.1 Drive talk program, securing an 8.9 share – her best result since taking the helm of the Drive slot. Her fresh and engaging approach to talk radio attracts 297,000 Melburnians each week.

Denis Walter is No.1 in Melbourne’s evening radio listening, holding the top spot with a 17.1 share.

Weekend Breakfast hosted by Darren James also dominates the airwaves on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 3AW Football finished the 2024 season winning every timeslot – Friday, Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday.

3AW Station Manager, Stephen Beers said: “Survey 7 reinforces 3AW’s position as Melbourne’s top radio station. Ross and Russ remain unrivalled in breakfast, while Tom Elliott commands the morning slot. We’re especially thrilled to see Jacqui Felgate achieving her highest ever share and 3AW Football finishing number one across all shifts. These results reflect the hard work of our on-air talent and the incredible teams behind the scenes. We’re immensely thankful for our loyal listeners’ continued support – something we value greatly.”

Source: GfK Radio360 Ratings, 3AW Melbourne Survey 7 2024, Mon-Sun 5.30am-12MN, Mon-Fri 5.30am-8.30am, Mon-Fri 8.30am-12pm, Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm, Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm, Mon-Thurs 8pm-12MN, Weekends 5.30am-12MN, Cume (000s), Market Share % Total Radio, Commercial Streaming share %, AP10+ , unless otherwise specified. 

For further information, please contact:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Thursday, November 14, 2024

TOTAL RADIO 

Melbourne’s 3AW has solidified its No.1 position as the city’s go-to station, while Sydney’s 2GB dominates the talk scene in today’s GfK Radio 360 Survey 7. 

Ross and Russ reign supreme across Melbourne’s airwaves in 3AW Breakfast with a commanding 20.8 share, while Tom Elliott maintains his lead in Mornings with a winning 15.7. The station overall remains unbeatable, achieving a 14.0 share.

In Sydney, 2GB retains the top spot as the city’s No.1 in Talk, delivering a 9.8 share. Ben Fordham continues to dominate in Talk across Breakfast with a 12.3 share (up 0.1), and Ray Hadley is also No.1 Talk in Mornings with 11.1.

Nine Radio’s Head of Content, Greg Byrnes, said: “Survey 7 highlights the dominance of 3AW and the trust that’s linked to talk radio at a time when the audio market has never been more competitive, particularly in Sydney.”

“Ross and Russ are unrivalled. Today’s breakfast result is extraordinary, and when you combine that with Tom Elliott, Tony Moclair and Jacqui Felgate across the day, 3AW has a rock solid foundation.

“Right across the country we aim to deliver the best news, information and opinion each and every day and are set for a strong finish to the year.”

COMMERCIAL RADIO SHARE	TOTAL RADIO CUME
15.4 (4 markets)	1.801 million listeners each week

STREAMING

Nine Radio is the undisputed No.1 destination for live audio listeners nationwide, achieving a commanding commercial streaming share of 28.1 and a cume audience of 415,000.

Sydney’s 2GB and Melbourne’s 3AW continue to dominate overall commercial streaming, securing shares of 29.5 and 28.7, respectively.

Breakfast remains a powerhouse for both stations. Ross and Russ on 2GB hold the top spot with an incredible 53.6 commercial streaming share, while Ben Fordham strengthened his No.1 position in Breakfast streaming at 2GB with a remarkable 38.7 share.

Mornings also delivered outstanding results, with Ray Hadley leading with a 34.7 commercial streaming share on 2GB, while Tom Elliott tops Melbourne with 27.0.

These results reinforce Nine Radio’s position as the nation’s premier platform for streaming live and local news, sport, entertainment and opinion.

Greg Byrnes, said: “We’ve seen big increases in listener numbers across digital devices survey to survey and year-on-year. It’s the best way to stay connected with our live and local content and the results across all sessions, but particularly in breakfast, show streaming is now part of the daily listening habits for the talk audience.”

COMMERCIAL STREAMING SHARE	STREAMING CUME
28.1	415,000

PODCASTS 

The Nine Podcast Network recorded over 1.52 million listeners and 3.8 million downloads in October 2024.

The network’s latest investigative series, Rotten Apple, debuted strongly, landing in Nine’s top 10 podcasts with 79,000 listeners and 124,000 downloads. Fan favourites The Missing Campers Trial and The Ultimate Sacrifice kept audiences hooked, attracting 64,000 and 56,000 listeners respectively. Adding to the success, Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery earned the prestigious Best Podcast Series award at the South Australian Press Club.

Nine’s radio podcasts also delivered stellar results, with Ben Fordham Live reaching 165,000 listeners and 366,000 downloads, while The Ray Hadley Morning Show recorded 57,000 listeners and 129,000 downloads. In Melbourne, Breakfast with Ross and Russ hit 95,000 listeners and 164,000 downloads, and Mornings with Tom Elliott achieved 61,000 listeners and 144,000 downloads.

Mia Stern, Head of Podcasts and Digital Content, said: “The Nine Podcast Network results go from strength to strength, with October highlighting an 18% year-on-year growth in listeners across the network. As we expand our Originals content slate and evolve our Radio podcast strategy, we’re thrilled to be driving audience growth in Australia’s fastest-growing media channel.”

TOTAL DOWNLOADS	TOTAL LISTENERS
3.8 million	1.52 million

Source: GfK Radio360 Ratings, Survey 7 2024, Mon-Sun 5.30am-12MN, Market Share % Total, Market Share Streaming %, Commercial Streaming Share %, Cume (000s) Total and Streaming, 3AW Breakfast Mon-Fri 5.30am-8.30am, 3AW Mornings 8.30am-12pm, AP10+, Nine Radio – 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR, unless otherwise specified.

Source: Triton Podcast Metrics, September 2024, Downloads, Listeners, Nine Entertainment, unless otherwise specified.

For further information, please contact:
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine 
clynch@nine.com.au 

Thursday, November 14, 2024

As school leavers wrap up their final year exams, The Australian Financial Review today releases the most comprehensive university ranking compiled in Australia, revealing the University of Queensland as the country’s best learning institution.  

Spread over a 12-page liftout, this is the second annual Financial Review Best Universities Ranking, which lists the full diversity of Australian universities using a more thorough range of measures compared to traditional rankings featured in overseas mastheads.

Calculating a university’s rank based on four categories, Best Universities Ranking recognises traditional notions of excellence, such as research and teaching alongside important measures of career impact and equity.

The University of Queensland has again taken out the top spot, marginally beating The Australian National University, with Monash University and University of New South Wales coming joint third, followed by The University of Adelaide in fifth place. The rankings also highlight a boon for the group of eight universities which have all placed highly. 

While the Top 10 list is dominated by universities in NSW and Victoria, institutions in Western Australia, Canberra, South Australia and Queensland also feature. 

Julia Feder, Managing Editor of the Financial Review, said: “The Best Universities Ranking is an invaluable resource for prospective students as they weigh up an important decision about their education. They can use the detailed information to focus on their own priorities for a university experience, while also gaining an insight into which institutions perform well across the board.”

Professor Deborah Terry, vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland, says she is “absolutely delighted” to again take out the pole position.

“The great thing about The Australian Financial Review ranking, from my perspective, is that it does what international rankings are not able to do. They can’t compare core outcomes like quality of teaching, equity and graduate outcomes across jurisdictions,” Terry says. “This ranking has given the sector a much more holistic look at how Australian universities are performing.”

Created in consultation with statistician, former director of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute and former deputy vice-chancellor of research at La Trobe University Professor Tim Brown, the Best Universities Ranking uses only credible and verifiable public data that minimises selective use of information. Most international rankings require institutions to share data with the rating agency.  

HIGHEST RANKED UNIVERSITIES
1 – The University of Queensland
2 – The Australian National University
3 – Monash University, University of New South Wales
5 – University of Adelaide
6 – The University of Melbourne 
7 – The University of Western Australia
8 – The University of Sydney
9 – Bond University, University of Wollongong

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au 

Thursday, November 14, 2024

The 9Network will showcase the 2024 ARIA Awards, Australia’s most prestigious celebration of musical talent, with a special presentation on Channel 9 and 9Now, Wednesday, November 20 at 8.30pm. 

Set inside Sydney’s famous music venue, The Hordern Pavilion, the 2024 ARIA Awards will bring a spectacular show, spotlighting the very best in Australian music with an exciting mix of live performances, award presentations and special moments honouring the artists who have left an indelible mark on the industry. 

This year’s awards will feature exclusive performances from some of Australia’s most renowned artists, including The Kid LAROI, Missy Higgins, CYRIL, 3%, Jessica Mauboy, Amy Shark, Julia Hamilton from The Presets, Troy Cassar-Daley and Angie McMahon. 

With over 50 billion streams and a string of multi-platinum hits, international artist Ava Max will deliver an Australian-exclusive performance with a spectacular showcase of her biggest hits. 

Additionally, to close the event, 2024’s ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Missy Higgins will perform a medley of her iconic hits and will be joined on stage by some of her renowned friends and collaborators in a truly show-stopping celebration. 

Throughout the evening, viewers will see their favourite artists and personalities present awards, including Artemus, Budjerah, G Flip, Richard Wilkins, Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller, Emily Wurramara, Fanny Lumsden, Grinspoon, Hannah Conda, Jenna Owen, King, Kween Kong, and more, with Royel Otis and Dom Dolla crossing from across the globe.   

The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding achievements across 29 categories including Song of the Year, Best Solo Artist, Album of the Year, Best Australian Live Act, and many more. 

9Network’s Director of Programming and 9Now, Hamish Turner: “Nine is thrilled to bring the 2024 ARIA Awards to audiences nationwide, celebrating Australian music’s impact both locally and internationally, with unforgettable performances and a tribute to our incredible homegrown artists.”  

2024 ARIA AWARDS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 8.30PM AEDT 
ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW

For the full lineup of nominees, presenters and performers, please visit aria.com.au/awards/

For further information, please contact:
Alessandra Muratore
9Network Publicity
alessandra.muratore@nine.com.au

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across NSW and ACT, launches tomorrow after Saint Peter was named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year at a chef-studded awards ceremony held in the Sydney Opera House tonight.

As the annual Good Food Guide marks its 40th edition, Australia’s most respected food and drinks title ushers in a new era with the launch of the Good Food app available from tomorrow. 

The premium subscription-based app – available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, or as a standalone subscription – will house the digital offering of the Good Food Guide.  

Featuring more than 900 reviews from the SMH and Age guides, the app will be an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers containing recipes, Critics’ Picks and lists of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.  

The annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide has been recognising the best chefs and restaurants since 1984, and this year’s Guide is a compilation of 500 independent reviews visited by our team of critics over the past eight months. Good Food is considered Australia’s most respected food and beverage title, and its coveted hats – from one to the pinnacle of three hats – are recognised as the industry gold standard.

The glamorous awards ceremony – supported by long-term co-presenting partner Vittoria Coffee and co-presenting partner Oceania Cruises – was held at the Sydney Opera House. Five hundred chefs, restaurateurs and industry legends from NSW and Canberra’s dining and drink scenes gathered as 15 awards, along with the hats, were announced. 

Paul Farag from Alalia took out the coveted Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award for his innovative and next-level approach to Middle Eastern food. 

This year’s Guide includes 152 restaurants awarded one or more hats: four restaurants received three hats, 36 restaurants received two hats and 113 restaurants received one hat. The three hat winners were Oncore by Clare Smyth, Sixpenny, Quay and, for the first time, Saint Peter. 

With the industry undergoing a cultural change, a new award was introduced this year for Cultural Change Champion. Awarded to Women and Revolution, the inaugural award recognises the movement for fostering a positive, safe and empowering work environment for women in hospitality. 

Iconic Australian chef Bill Granger was posthumously awarded the Vittoria Coffee Legend Award. The globally-renowned chef passed away nearly 12 months ago but his legacy on the food industry will last forever. 

Named in Granger’s honour is a new award recognising a person, team or business approaching things from their own perspective and pushing Australian food forward. The Bill Granger Trailblazer Award was handed to Baba’s Place in Marrickville. 

“Baba’s Place is a celebration of the suburban Sydney experience, grounded in the stories of immigrant families and their shared experiences of food and cooking. Like Bill Granger’s cafes embodied a particular sense of Australia, Baba’s Place does the same, proudly drawing on the Lebanese, Macedonian and Greek heritages of its co-owners,” said Callan Boys, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide editor. “Plus they do a great taramasalata on toast, which looks a bit like an Iced VoVo.”

Firepop in Enmore took out New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co, while You Beauty in Bangalow was named Regional Restaurant of the Year. 

The Critics’ Pick Of The Year was awarded to Blacktown restaurant Gursha Ethiopian. The restaurant is a regular meeting place for East African families with an atmosphere described by critics: ‘There is laughter, there is music, and the air is heavy with incense and potent coffee’.     

Luke Bourke, who works as sous chef at Rockpool Bar & Grill, was awarded Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg.  

The Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award was given to Maureen Er from The White Horse, in Surry Hills, while Stonefruit restaurant and wine bar in Tenterfield, in the NSW New England region, was awarded Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.

Cafe of the Year went to Ona Coffee in Marrickville; Double Deuce Lounge took out Best Bar; Sommelier of the Year was awarded to Caitlin Baker from Such and Such in Canberra; and the Food for Good award was handed to Rice Fund, Soul of Chinatown.

Edited by Callan Boys and David Matthews, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 reviews have been undertaken by a team of esteemed critics including Boys, Terry Durack, Jill Dupleix and Sarah Norris, all of whom review independently and anonymously. 

“While the Good Food Guide is the home of the hats, it continues to evolve across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs, offering an annual snapshot of the most exciting, outstanding venues you need to know about,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.

“With money tighter than ever for most diners, people want to know where they should spend their money, and be able to trust those recommendations. The guide, and the new Good Food app, takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect spot for you to eat, no matter what the occasion.”

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 magazine is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $14.95 from Tuesday, November 12 and tonight via the Good Food app. The app is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages for subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, or as a standalone subscription. 

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 award winners: 

Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year: Saint Peter
Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year: Paul Farag (Alalia) 
New Restaurant of the Year, presented by Aurum Poultry Co.: Firepop 
Vittoria Coffee Regional Restaurant of the Year: You Beauty, Bangalow 
Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award: Maureen Er (White Horse) 
Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg: Luke Bourke (Rockpool Bar & Grill) 
Sommelier of the Year: Caitlin Baker (Such and Such, Canberra) 
Drinks List of the Year: Stonefruit in Tenterfield
Vittoria Coffee Legend Award: Bill Granger 
Cafe of the Year: Ona Coffee, Marrickville
Bar of the Year: Double Deuce Lounge 
Cultural Change Champion: Women and Revolution 
Critic’s Pick Award: Gursha Ethiopian, Blacktown
Bill Granger Trailblazer Award: Baba’s Place
Food for Good, presented by Lightspeed: Rice Fund, Soul of Chinatown

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 11, 2024

The 9Network is thrilled to announce AFL icon James Hird as the newest addition to our esteemed AFL commentary and analysis team for the 2025 season.

Hird, one of the game’s most celebrated figures, will bring his wealth of experience and unique insights to viewers as a presenter on two marquee programs – Footy Furnace and Footy Classified.

With a storied AFL career that includes a Brownlow Medal in 1996 and a Norm Smith Medal for his heroics in Essendon’s 2000 premiership, Hird’s deep knowledge and passion for the game make him a natural fit for Nine’s AFL line-up. His presence will further solidify Nine as the premier destination for fans who want expert analysis, in-depth commentary and exclusive insights.

Hird will bring his expertise to Footy Classified, Nine’s flagship Aussie Rules program and the trusted voice for AFL fans, delivering in-depth analysis, the latest headlines and heated debates twice weekly. He’ll also join Footy Furnace, a hard-hitting show that takes an uncompromising look at all things AFL, quickly becoming must-watch Sunday night television for footy fans.

Nine is committed to delivering comprehensive AFL coverage every week, with two episodes of Footy Classified, The Sunday Footy Show and Footy Furnace ensuring fans stay connected to every moment of the game.

In addition to Hird’s arrival, the network will be making a series of other major announcements regarding our 2025 AFL coverage, elevating our commitment to Australian Rules football and bringing fans closer to the game than ever before.

Brent Williams, Director of Sport for the 9Network, said of the new appointment:
“As a player, James Hird’s achievements on the field comfortably put him in the upper echelon of AFL greats. Off the field he has always proven to be a polished media performer with a strong opinion and unique insights. James played a huge part in the success of The Footy Show over many years and we’re thrilled to be welcoming him back into the Wide World of Sport and Nine family.”

James Hird said:
“I’m incredibly excited to rejoin the 9Network and be part of such a passionate team covering the AFL. I am thrilled to bring my perspective to the table on Footy Classified. With Footy Furnace entering its second year, we’re set to deliver even more hard-hitting insights and conversations that fans won’t want to miss. I can’t wait to get started and dive into what promises to be an unforgettable season.”

James Hird’s arrival signals the start of an exciting new chapter for AFL on Nine, promising unmatched access, compelling analysis and a line-up of experts that fans won’t find anywhere else.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to redefine AFL coverage in 2025.  

For further information, please contact:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Tuesday, November 12, 2024