I doubt there will be much fanfare, other than they might mention Samantha Heathwood will be joining them.
I’m sure Nine won’t want to draw attention to the bulletin not being locally made anymore after tonight.
7 Likes
Wonder if they will mention the change of set as well? 
1 Like
As far as I’m aware, tonight’s Nine News Darwin will be the end of what was almost 35 years of locally produced news bulletins.
The visual/audio quality is quite rough but with thanks to aussiebeachut0, here’s the Opener to the very first edition of “News at Seven” on what was then Channel 8 from October 1982:
I think the bulletin was later rebranded as “Eight National News” before (presumably) taking on the Nine Network’s news branding when the station was rebranded from 8 to Nine in 2003.
7 Likes
Here’s one of Eight National News in 1999. They did a relatively good job at replicating/reusing the National Nine News graphics of the time.
6 Likes
Yes I remember being in Darwin in 1987 and getting a surprise when I discovered they had “Sale Of The Century” at 6pm and News at 7pm (don’t recall what was on at 6.30).
3 Likes
Quite ridiculous promo running today from Nine in Queensland: “Court appearance for the Queensland TV star who attacks a complete stranger” complete with giant question mark:
7 Likes
It was.
2 Likes
Sounded like Jonathan got a bit emotional there… 
5 Likes
It is really hard to pack up and leave for QLD when you’ve broadcasted in NT from NT for so long, but hey I’m sure Sam and Jono would be a good team. The only real concern (for us here on MS) is how their set’s gonna function.
9 Likes
I’m more concerned about how they will manage the Darwin market. Will it be prerecorded or live somehow?
8 Likes
Dang forgot about that. I think it will most likely be pre-recorded since the time-difference is 1/2 hour, unless if Darwin is getting news at 5:30…we shall wait and see I guess.
I wonder if Nine will keep the liveshot for the Darwin bulletin as to not make it appear too radically different to what viewers are used to?
1 Like
It was good to see that Nine News Darwin acknowledged the changes that will be taking place on Monday, but as well as farewelling Henry & Kathryn I personally think they should’ve introduced Top End viewers to the new Sport & Weather presenters (obviously Paul Taylor and Nicole Rowles respectively) they’ll be seeing from next week.
Likewise, introducing Jonathan Uptin to Regional Queensland viewers but that’s for the other topic.
I personally hope they will, but realistically I would expect to see a similar backdrop to the other Regional Queensland bulletins as part of the “streamlining”.
Meanwhile here in Sydney, a special “NRL Finals Coverage” promo is currently airing:
https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/906049563114561536
4 Likes
I would love to see standing sport presentation similar to Gold Coast and Adelaide. Surely Mt Coot-tha have got the space to push the set out on the sides a bit. I wonder if they could put the weather plasma and vertical set plasma to good use in Brisbane for this.
2 Likes
Surprisingly, as we have seen, Nine made no secret of the fact that Darwin’s flagship news bulletin was moving out of Darwin (after 35 years) and being produced interstate. Jono’s farewells to the members of the team not making the move to Brisbane with him came across as genuine and quite moving.
It’s very hard to see how the quality of the news service for Darwin and NT viewers won’t be adversely affected by these changes, but all we can do is wait and see how it pans out.
5 Likes
I hope that they will acknowledge the new bulletin at the end of Sunday and Monday night.
Nine’s Gold Coast bulletin from Friday
3 Likes