Would you prefer a generic “Dotty” ID with a voice-over saying,
“Now, Channel Nine brings you [Insert Event], live from [Insert Location],”
fading straight to live action?
Sure, that might feel fresh or modern—if we were still living in the pre-colour television era.
Seven does fine with a simple opener. Can’t see why Nine can’t do a simple 9|Sport one.
Wide World of Sports has had its day imo.
Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena, who has been a regular at Lynx games, led the chorus of frustration when the away game wasn’t broadcast live on 9Gem or 9Now into WA as advertised by the league.
The game was shown live elsewhere but the first set of the United Cup match between Norway’s Casper Ruud and Czech Republic’s Tomas Macach in Sydney was broadcast into Perth instead.
The Lynx broadcast began when the actual match was nearing half-time in a decision which Arena labelled as “absolute trash.”
Fans only learnt of the delay when Perth published an update on social media early in the first quarter. The WNBL apologised to WA basketball fans after the match.
The Lynx have been regularly frustrated by off-court issues in recent seasons. Technical problems with the broadcast from their first game of the 2022-23 season
Good to see we’ve built a bridge…
Well…it is WA. 
But yes, piss poor effort.
Nine and Swimming Australia have today announced a landmark 10-year multi-platform media rights and sponsorship agreement through to 2034.
In swimming’s most wide-ranging broadcast deal to date, Aussie sports fans will have free access to more swimming action than ever before with Nine securing the nation’s most-watched Olympic and Paralympic sport across all platforms including the 9Network and 9Now for the next decade.
Nine’s coverage will come to life across streaming, broadcast, publishing and audio for the annual Swimming Australia calendar that includes the Australian Swimming Trials for the Olympics and Paralympics plus the Australian Short Course Championships, Australian Age Championships and Australian Open Championships.
The comprehensive agreement will ensure race meets featuring Australia’s most successful Olympic team The Dolphins will be available in every household nationally, cementing Nine as the home of swimming.
Nine’s coverage of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials saw an audience of 5.7 million tune in and the network’s swimming coverage of the Games provided the most watched moments of the Olympics and Paralympics. Looking ahead, viewers can watch elite international racing on Nine including the Pan Pacs in 2026 and 2030.
Nine Acting CEO Matt Stanton, said: “Nine is proud to provide Swimming Australia with an unrivalled multimedia platform to showcase its sport and success for the next 10 years. Sport is part of our DNA at Nine and this partnership ensures Swimming Australia has the backing and support of Nine as we head towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Nine’s Director of Sport Brent Williams, said: “The Dolphins have provided some of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. This inspiring team of fighters and superstars continues to deliver time and time again on the global stage. This deal lays the platform for Wide World of Sports to showcase the many fiercely competitive race meets, allow viewers to follow the progress of our big name athletes, and bring to the forefront the rising stars of swimming who will be our future Olympic champions all the way to Brisbane 2032.”
Rob Woodhouse, CEO of Swimming Australia, said: “This landmark agreement with Nine is a pivotal moment for our sport. It brings unprecedented exposure to our national teams and to the next generation of athletes that will be household names by LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
“We are always looking to enhance fan accessibility and ensure the visibility of our Dolphins inspires all Australians to swim, to improve their own wellbeing and to be part of our swimming community. This is a great win for fans old and new of swimming, and for the Dolphins, with such incredible access to the sport we love.”
Jodie Hawkins, EGM Commercial at Swimming Australia, added: “This new partnership with Nine presents an incredible opportunity for our sport. We are grateful for the support and confidence Nine has shown in swimming and look forward to continuing this relationship and expanding the influence and benefits of our great sport.
“This relationship has been pivotal in delivering high-quality events to our fans and our ongoing collaboration will be crucial as we navigate future opportunities, setting a platform for the sport to build its profile and cement itself as one of Australia’s iconic and most loved sports.
“We would also like to thank Sport Five for their support in the development of this exciting partnership.”
10 years is a long time… but I suppose it ties in nicely with their Olympics rights.
The home of swimming. They aired swimming in the 2000s with Nicole Livingstone and Ray Warren
And just like he has in the NRL, Mathew Thompson has done well replacing Warren as the chief swimming commentator at Nine.
Isn’t this the same as the old deal?
Nine will provide multi-platform coverage, including daily highlight packages and the Opening and Closing ceremonies on 9Gem, as well as additional streaming via 9Now.
9GO! will show game 1 of WNBL semi final series between Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames, live from Bendigo this Sunday at 3.30pm AEDT. All finals will be shown live on ESPN.
Game 1 of a 3 game series, game 2 is on Saturday the 8th and game 3 (if required) is on Wednesday the 12th. Not sure if they’re on 9Go! or only on ESPN.
It will be between Townsville Fire and Bendigo Spirit, after the latter beat the Flames in game two in Sydney tonight. The Spirit won game one at home on Sunday.
Game 1 of the grand final series will be held in Bendigo next Wednesday night.
Looks like Nine’s expenditure on the Olympics, NRL, Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast rights means that the network has to make savings in other sports.
To my knowledge, Nine’s rights to these sports would expire in/after:
Nine was meant to broadcast the tournament this weekend.
Probably an ESPN related one or WNBL because it’s not a 9 production
