Sounds like a sort of promotion then and essentially Roz’s replacement at wwos, going to main channel. It does make sense in another way, given she had a profile during a successful period at Today years ago (before that Stefanovic car recording scandal and quietly disappeared for a while) and currently with David Campbell on Today Extra.
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Interesting, early EPG for next Sunday has Emma Lawrence hosting Nine’s Australian Open morning session (rather than Tony Jones)? Unless that’s a mistake and she’s actually doing the 9Gem feed. Other sessions don’t yet have the host info uploaded.
I wonder why the WWOS set is utilised for the Brisbane International on the multi-channels, while the old ACA shoebox in Sydney is used for the main channel United Cup?
Couldn’t they instead utilise the new secondary studio in Melbourne that the AFL shows use?
Let’s be honest, going all the way back to Nine’s presenting decisions for London 2012, a lot of them don’t really make sense. It seems if you’re a long-time identity, pals with legacy or current management or on a decent salary, that’ll trump logical choices.
Leila McKinnon, Eddie McGuire, Karl Stefanovic, Rebecca Maddern…
A big welcome back to 2026 to David Knox at TV Tonight - he must be feeling a little hungry!
The Australian Open begins on Nine on Sunday, January 18 with over 500 hours of live coverage with every single match available on Channel 9HD, 9GEMHD and to stream on 9Now.
Hosting for Nine are James Bracey, Sylvia Jeffreys and Tony Jones, while on 9GEM Georgie Parker, Nick McArdle and Brett Phillips will host.
Commentators are Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.
Reporters at Melbourne Park ate Bronte Gildea and Marlee Silva.
With the UC over, I think it’s a mistake for Nine not to air the Adelaide International on the main channel, at least during daytime prior to 4 or 5pm and if an Australian is playing or a big match-up can move to prime time as needed (they often do this for the finals). Just seems a bit hidden on 9Gem. Especially for extra flavour and colour leading-in to the AO’s festivities this week and tournament proper from Sunday.
Acknowledging however it could be a contractual/commercial thing (advertising rates, etc) and at night there would be a couple of potential clashes as alluded to.
Interestingly, Fiona Byrne’s article only mentioned he’ll do “Morning Serve” pre show and early guides have Emma Lawrence as morning host. Could be wrong, but maybe Nine have reduced his role/presence?
I’ve wondered before if TJ would be better suited to an ‘around the grounds’ or colour piece type role, maybe even prime time up in the stands doing live-crosses with a players box or some identity.
It wouldn’t be the first time a host hasn’t worked out long-term. Back in 2006, Seven put Bruce McAvaney in the studio hosting afternoons and he didn’t call matches for 5 years (many forget this). Jim Courier called with John Alexander. Johanna Griggs hosted morning, Matthew White hosted night. Sandy Roberts who did host with Joh and Matt at Athens and Beijing was instead also calling at the AO (main women’s commentator with Tracy Austin and later Sam Smith). Bruce returned to the commentary bunker in 2011, also the year Lleyton Hewitt started doing special analysis on the side and never looked back, a much better decision and Bruce & Courier became an iconic duo and voice of summer.
