Depending on how you look at it, it was never “axed”. It remained as part of that Regional QLD operation - so it did still at least receive local stories.
During the COVID period it only received news updates like other parts of Nine’s regional news at the time.
That press release from Nine is pitiful.
Is Nine legally required to provide news updates at a minimum?
I feel like all these changes over the past 2 days in QLD/NT hub could mean Paul Taylor is potentially moving to the Brisbane bulletin if they shift to a single presenter format on the Gold Coast?
I don’t think Darwin is one of the mandated regions for local news? Though someone may correct me on that
Interesting if it’s not. I thought it was because SCA also produce 7 Darwin/Central noodle updates via Tasmania.
Surely, each state and territory had to have some requirement for a news update? Or is that just for the “5 main cities”?
I mentioned in the presenters thread that I reckon Jonathan Uptin will move to QLD co-anchor to help “soften the blow” to NT since that bulletin will be broadcast there.
Paul Taylor is sharing the anchoring role on the Gold Coast.
Also now a very familiar face to QLD screens too.
Only for the main aggregated regional markets. Metro markets also do not have any minimum requirements.
It’s operated independently of government. It’s a public broadcaster. Everyone knows the connotations with the term state broadcaster and the ABC is obviously not some in house organ you might see being run out of the Kremlin.
What a token measure. NT is a vast area, it will mean LOTS of travel for the reporter and camera operator. How many stories can they cover at short notice (e.g. the recent emergencies in Alice Springs)? So many stories from Tiwi Islands and the Indigenous communities across the Territory will be ignored.
I wonder if 9 News Darwin would have been able to continue if it was allowed to broadcast outside the Darwin area through Imparja?
no it’s not, SA, NT and WA aren’t. Anything that’s done there is by the pur goodness of their hearts… hence why it gets the chop so easily.
They already are largely ignored, Nine can always send in additional support when warranted.
Plus, there is always the ABC.
An appropriate post for this time
We hope! 
Ouch another bulletin gone. It really is just a matter of time 
lucky to get local news on ABC these days.
That’s correct.
The only non-aggregated markets that currently have content requirements are the former Prime/GWN stations as the Seven takeover triggered the updated requirements. Stations like 7 Darwin and 7 Central choose to offer local news updates but there’s no legal requirement.
As Nine already owns 9 Darwin it’s unlikely they’ll ever have requirements triggered. A future Seven takeover of 7 Darwin could, though.
That’s the only likely outcome for Darwin. But even if Seven do obtain the licence it would be doubtful that they would implement a local bulletin, especially with the loss of their Gold Coast bulletin.
From my understanding Darwin City has a population of 140K.
Disgraceful effort.
At least give them a 15 minute opt out of Brisbane for local.
Includes reactions from University of Sydney Professor of Media Catharine Lumby and former Nine Darwin camera operator Andrew Hyde.
No way! That’s wrong! Darwin is a capital city and it should have a news bulletin at least from one commercial tv station. I know Darwin has a ABC News bulletin but it’s a giant big step backwards! Having lived there I just find it a terrible bad move for channel 9 to do that!