Nine Network

==History==

===Origins===
The Nine Network's first broadcasting station was launched in Sydney, New South Wales, as [[TCN-9]] on 16 September 1956 by ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' owner [[Frank Packer]].

John Godson introduced the station and former advertising executive [[Bruce Gyngell]] presented the first programme, ''This Is Television'' (so becoming the first person to appear on Australian television). Later that year, [[GTV (Australia)|GTV]]-9 in Melbourne commenced transmissions to broadcast the [[1956 Summer Olympics]], later forming the '''National Television Network''' alongside [[QTQ]]-9 in Brisbane in 1959 and [[NWS (TV station)|NWS]]-9 in Adelaide, the basis of the current Nine Network, in 1959. Before its formation, TCN-9 was then affiliated with [[HSV (TV station)|HSV]]-7 (because alongside the [[Seven Network]], they were both Australia's first television stations, having opened in 1956),<ref>{{Cite web |year=2008 |title=Hey You! |url=http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/HeyYou.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321184726/http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/HeyYou.htm |archive-date=2012-03-21 |access-date=2012-02-22 |website=Classic Australian Television}}</ref> and GTV-9's sister affiliate was [[ATN]]-7.

The network, by 1967, had begun calling itself the '''National Nine Network''', and became simply the '''Nine Network Australia''' in 1987. [[Kerry Packer]] inherited the company after his father's death in 1974. Before the official conversion to colour on 1 March 1975, it was the first Australian television station to regularly screen programmes in colour with the first program to use it premiering in 1971{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}, the very year [[NTD (Australian TV station)|NTD]]-8 in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] commenced.

The [[New South Wales Rugby Football League]] <!-- (NSWRFL) --> grand final of 1967 became the first football grand final of any code to be televised live nationally. The Nine Network paid $5,000 ({{Inflation|AU|5,000|1967|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) to attain the broadcasting rights.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Masters |first=Roy |date=4 October 2009 |title=Messenger can watch a better league broadcast in the US than south of the border |work=Brisbane Times |publisher=Fairfax Digital |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/messenger-can-watch-a-better-league-broadcast-in-the-us-than-south-of-the-border-20091004-ghve.html |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007142959/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/messenger-can-watch-a-better-league-broadcast-in-the-us-than-south-of-the-border-20091004-ghve.html |archive-date=2009-10-07}}</ref>

Nine Network station [[STW]]-9 Perth, which opened in 1965, became [[owned-and-operated station]] when [[Alan Bond]] purchased the network for one billion dollars in 1987, a deal that became effective after government approvals in 1988. However, in 1989, Bond Media sold the station to [[Sunraysia Television]] for [[Australian dollar|A$]]95 million, due to the federal cross-media ownership laws which restricted the level of national reach for media owners.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Richard |date=20 April 1989 |title=Sunraysia settles STW-9 purchase |work=Australian Financial Review}}</ref> Nine, which then also included Channel 9 in Brisbane, fell back into the hands of Kerry Packer after Alan Bond's bankruptcy in 1992.

In 2011, GTV 9 Melbourne moved from 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond, to 717 Bourke Street, Docklands. 22 Bendigo Street started out as the Wertheim Piano Factory, then became the Heinz Soup Factory, then GTV9. The building in Bendigo Street still stands, now as luxury apartments.

=== The "Golden Era" (1977–2006) ===

Nine began using the slogan "Let Us Be The One" (based on [[The Carpenters]]' song ''[[Let Me Be the One (Carpenters song)|Let Me Be the One]]'' and modelled on the ABC campaign used at the time in the United States) in 1977 and became the number-one free-to-air network in Australia; its ''[[National Nine News]]'' became the most-watched news service. In 1978, Nine switched its slogan to "Still the One" (modelled on the campaign used by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in the United States and using the [[Orleans (band)|Orleans]] song ''[[Still the One]]''), which lasted until a decline in ratings in January 2006. During the 1980s, Nine's ratings peaked. From 1999 to 2001, the network began losing ground to the Seven network in news and entertainment, but received a boost after the coverage of the [[September 11 attacks|11 September attacks]] in 2001.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} By 1991, the network was re-branded to its current branding. The death of CEO [[Kerry Packer]] in 2005 triggered more problems for the network. Digital terrestrial television was introduced on 1 January 2001.

=== Nine loses to Seven (2006–2008) ===

Nine stayed strong throughout 2003–04, winning 77 out of 80 ratings weeks across those two years (with [[Network Ten]] claiming the other three weeks),<ref name="2003-04 ratings">{{Cite news |last=Warneke |first=Ross |date=2 December 2004 |title=Nine wins year again |work=[[The Age]] |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Nine-wins-year-again/2004/11/30/1101577477557.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025022128/http://www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Nine-wins-year-again/2004/11/30/1101577477557.html |archive-date=2017-10-25}}</ref> but was hit hard when Seven introduced a new line-up in 2005, though Nine finished ahead of Seven that year. Meanwhile, ''[[Nine News|National Nine News]]'' was overtaken by ''[[Seven News]]'' for the first time ever, while ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today]]'' was beaten by Seven's fledgling ''Sunrise'' program.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2005 |title=Uechtritz resigns as Nine news director |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/uechtritz-resigns-as-nine-news-director/2005/07/01/1119724806498.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926153023/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/uechtritz-resigns-as-nine-news-director/2005/07/01/1119724806498.html |archive-date=2017-09-26}}</ref> In 2006, Nine continued on its downward trend, losing most news weeks to ''Seven News'' and just winning the year thanks to its coverage of the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]]. To try to revitalise the network in its 50th anniversary, Nine adopted a new, but critically received, logo that removed the nine dots, which had been part of the network's identity since 1969. In May 2007, Nine partially re-introduced the Nine dots, which resulted in the square logo changing into a three-dimensional (3-D) cube that rotates, with the dots visible on every second side of the cube.

After a period of declining ratings, [[David Gyngell]] returned to the job of chief executive officer <!-- (CEO) --> in October 2007, succeeding [[Eddie McGuire]].

In 2007, despite several hits, Seven won the whole year by a significant margin. The Seven Network had won 38 weeks, whereas the Nine Network only won two.

The Network expanded into Northern NSW with the acquisition on NBN Television in May 2007. However, NBN was retained as an independent Nine affiliate following the acquisition. Deborah Wright who had been doing various roles for the station was promoted to CEO.

===Expanding digital services (2008–2014)===
In 2008, as part of a major relaunch, the network dropped the blue box, and reinstated its nine dots in its logo, with a CGI look. After losing viewers to ''Seven News'', Nine relaunched its news service as ''[[Nine News]]'', which managed to win more weeks over Seven in the first half of 2008. Nine also launched a break-out hit, ''[[Underbelly (TV series)|Underbelly]]'', which attracted over 2.5 million viewers in its first season. Nine tried to attract younger demographics, so while Seven went on to win the ratings year in total people, Nine was rated the number one network in the key 18–49 and 25–54 demographics.

In March 2008, the Nine Network launched and debuted a high-definition channel called [[9HD|Nine HD]] on channel 90 until 2010.

In 2009, Nine started relatively strongly due to the top-rating Australian drama ''[[Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities]]'' and the Twenty20 Cricket series until Nine lost the rights in 2018 but could not hold its audience after [[Network Ten]]'s ''[[MasterChef Australia]]'' became a hit. Nine became inconsistent with scheduling and removal of programmes. Nine also launched a number of reality shows, including ''[[Ladette to Lady]]'', ''[[Wipeout Australia]]'', ''[[HomeMADE]]'', ''[[Australia's Perfect Couple]]'', and ''[[The Apprentice Australia]]'', in the hope of achieving the same success other networks had with the genre. All the new formats underperformed in the ratings and did not help the network establish any stable local content. Nine also expanded its news strand with the reintroduction of a late-night bulletin (for its owned-and-operated stations), an extended morning bulletin and weekend editions of ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today]]''. The flagship 6:00&nbsp;pm state bulletins continued to fall in the ratings, though its Melbourne bulletin remained competitive, being the only market to win any weeks against ''Seven News''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=24 August 2009 |title=Nine News to unveil new Melbourne set |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/08/nine-news-to-unveil-new-melbourne-set.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808153442/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/08/nine-news-to-unveil-new-melbourne-set.html |archive-date=2017-08-08 |access-date=2017-07-19 |website=[[TV Tonight]]}}</ref>

In August 2009, Nine launched and debuted its own digital multi-channel called [[9Go!|GO!]] on Channel 99, primarily aimed at a younger demographic. The shares from GO! contributed to Nine's weekly shares and allowed it to enjoy several weeks of weekly ratings wins. In September, the network took on a new slogan, "Welcome Home", and revamped its graphic package. With the resurgence of ''Nine News'', growth of ''Today'', stabilisation of ''60 Minutes'' and a new programme line-up consisting of ''[[Hey Hey It's Saturday]]'', ''Underbelly'' and ''[[Sea Patrol (TV series)|Sea Patrol]]'', Nine enjoyed more ratings success.

In 2010, Nine obtained the rights to exclusive coverage of the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks. GO! won the year in digital shares only. On 26 September 2010, Nine launched and debuted their third digital channel [[9Gem|GEM]] (an acronym of General Entertainment and Movies) on Channel 90. In 2011, the Nine Network announced a new "Home of Comedy" line-up with comedy shows such as ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'', ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'', and other American sitcoms, along with the launch of a live comedy show ''[[Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth]]'', which was cancelled after only three episodes due to low ratings. Nine also brought back ''[[This Is Your Life (Australian TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' with Eddie McGuire as host, although the series was cancelled after airing four episodes. The Nine Network had success in the ratings in the second half of 2011 with ''[[The Block (Australian TV series)|The Block]]'', ''[[Underbelly: Razor]]'', and ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice Australia]]''. The highly anticipated return of a revamped ninth season of ''Two and a Half Men'' proved a huge success for the network, generating 2.3 million viewers and dominating the week as top program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2011-09-21 |title=2.3m for Two and a Half Men |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2011/09/2-3m-for-two-and-a-half-men.html |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=[[TV Tonight]] |language=en-AU}}</ref> The return of new episodes of the popular sitcom ''The Big Bang Theory'' was also a huge success for the network, scoring high figures consistently week after week and dominating the evening as top program. Despite this, the Nine Network finished in second place in the ratings again in 2011 on 19.6%, behind the Seven Network (23.1%) and ahead of the Network Ten (15.9%), [[ABC TV (Australian TV network)|ABC TV]] (12.2%) and [[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]] (4.6%).<ref>{{cite news |last=AndrewB |first= |date=26 November 2011 |title=Free To Air TV Ratings For The Year 2011 |website=Throng |url=http://www.throng.com.au/ratings/free-air-tv-ratings-for-the-year-2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205113426/http://www.throng.com.au/2011/11/free-to-air-tv-ratings-for-the-year-2011/ |archive-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>

On 24 November 2011, the Nine Network announced the line-up for 2012, with a focus on reality programs, including an Australian version of ''[[The Voice (Australia)|The Voice]]'', the return of ''[[Big Brother Australia 2012|Big Brother]]'', ''[[Excess Baggage (TV series)|Excess Baggage]]'', and ''The Celebrity Apprentice Australia''.<ref name="VoiceExcess">{{cite news |last=AndrewB |date=24 November 2011 |title=Nine's Home of Excitement in 2012. The Voice, Excess Baggage, Big Brother, more Underbelly, Celebrity Apprentice and The Block |work=Throng |url=http://www.throng.com.au/big-brother/nines-home-excitement-2012-voice-excess-baggage-big-brother-more-underbelly-celebrity-apprentice-and-block |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203133213/http://www.throng.com.au/big-brother/nines-home-excitement-2012-voice-excess-baggage-big-brother-more-underbelly-celebrity-apprentice-and-block |archive-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> The Nine Network also aired coverage of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London. A new morning show, [[Mornings (TV program)|''Mornings'']], replaced the departure of [[Kerri-Anne Kennerley]]'s self-titled show, after nine years on air.<ref name=VoiceExcess/> The program, now called ''Today Extra'', is hosted by [[Sylvia Jeffreys]] and [[David Campbell (Australian musician)|David Campbell]].

On 26 March 2012, the Nine Network launched and debuted [[Extra (Australian TV channel)|Extra]], a new channel aimed at delivering home shopping, brand funded, religious, community, educational and multi-cultural programming content created by advertisers.<ref name="Media Spy">{{Cite web |date=24 March 2012 |title=Nine to launch Extra |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2012/03/24/nine-to-launch-extra/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326204136/http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2012/03/24/nine-to-launch-extra/ |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=19 May 2012 |website=Media Spy}}</ref><ref name="TV Tonight">{{Cite web |first=David|last=Knox |date=26 March 2012 |title=Nine launches EXTRA |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/03/nine-launches-extra.html |access-date=19 May 2012 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref><ref name="Mediaweek">{{Cite web |date=26 March 2012 |title=Nine launches EXTRA on Channel 94 |url=http://mediaweek.com.au/news/nine-launches-extra-on-channel-94.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215142300/http://mediaweek.com.au/news/nine-launches-extra-on-channel-94.html |archive-date=15 December 2012 |access-date=19 May 2012 |publisher=Mediaweek}}</ref> Its timeshift channel, Extra 2, launched on 28 March 2013 on channel 95 and channel 85 in NBN areas as a five-hour [[Timeshift channel|timeshift]].<ref name="TV Tonight - David Knox">{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=29 March 2013 |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/03/extra-channel-timeshifted-by-nine.html |title=Extra channel timeshifted by Nine |access-date=29 March 2013 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref> As a result, the quality of sister channel [[9Gem]] was cut.<ref name="Throng">{{Cite web |last=AndrewB |date=28 March 2013 |title=What is Extra 2? Channel 95? Another free to air channel? |url=http://www.throng.com.au/2013/03/what-is-extra2-channel-95-another-free-to-air-channel/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004225853/http://www.throng.com.au/2013/03/what-is-extra2-channel-95-another-free-to-air-channel/ |archive-date=4 October 2018 |access-date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Throng.com.au}}</ref>

On 15 April 2012, the Nine Network new rebrand visual identity for Channel Nine logo with the enhanced colour palette, which uses lighter shades of blue and more white gradients, including color from the brand identity, this was part identity since 2001 Nine Network logo.

It was reported on 31 May 2012 that the Australian telecommunications company [[Telstra]] and [[WIN Television]] Network CEO, Bruce Gordon, are considering making a takeover bid for Nine Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davidson |first=Darren |date=31 May 2012 |title=Telstra eyes troubled Nine television network |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/telstra-eyes-troubled-nine-television-network/news-story/bd2ef0e9624b2b7aeddafded7d398e37 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130061247/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/telstra-eyes-troubles-nine-television-network/news-story/bd2ef0e9624b2b7aeddafded7d398e37?amp=&nk=eef54ac5b712686d1c9c2497d82ee1d1-1706595178 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |newspaper=The Australian |publisher=[[News Limited]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Liddington-Cox |first=Alexander |date=13 June 2012 |title=BREAKFAST DEALS: Media misery |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/business-spectator/news-story/breakfast-deals-media-misery/2a35bcec8659c0faed3ec8fba2f9b475 |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=The Australian |department=Business Spectator |publisher=[[News Limited]]}}</ref> The network currently is trying to fight off administration as it deals with a debt exceeding A$3.3 billion.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

It was reported on 3 June 2013 that the Nine Network would immediately purchase Adelaide affiliate NWS-9 from the [[WIN Corporation]] as part of a deal to secure international cricket television rights.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Nine signs news cricket deal, buys Adelaide affiliate|date=3 June 2013 |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/06/nine-signs-news-cricket-deal-buys-adelaide-affiliate.html|access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> On 3 July 2013, it was reported that Nine would exercise an option to also buy STW-9 from WIN Corporation.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 July 2013 |title=Nine to buy WIN Perth TV station |work=[[The Australian (newspaper)|The Australian]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nine-to-buy-win-perth-tv-station/news-story/819197435946e3ae1d6299138d9ae944 |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref> Both purchases have resulted in these stations being, once again, O&O stations of the network for the first time since the 1980s.

On 8 November 2013, FIXPlay was merged into Jump-in, later renamed to '''9Jumpin''' in May 2014, integrating catch-up TV with interactive social media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mi9.com.au/article.aspx?id=8851053 |title=State-of-the-art app for Origin viewers - 9jumpin to stage first ever "Tweet of Origin" battle |date=27 May 2014 |publisher=Mi9 |access-date=27 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623143556/http://mi9.com.au/article.aspx?id=8851053 |archive-date=23 June 2014}}</ref>

As of 10 December 2013, Nine no longer broadcasts on analogue TV and is now only available through digital TV or digital set-top box.

On 27 January 2014, the Nine Network have stopped using the Supertext logo and have switched to their own Closed Captioning logo.
[[File:Nine Network, Docklands.jpg|thumb|Nine Network office in [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]]]]

=== A new era in television (2014–2019) ===

Nine relaunched [[9HD]], in November 2015, an HD simulcast of their primary channel, on channel 90 and launched new lifestyle channel [[9Life]] on channel 94. In addition to the relaunch of 9HD, GEM (renamed [[9Gem]]) was reduced to standard definition and moved to channel 92 and GO! (renamed [[9Go!]]) was moved to channel 93.<ref>{{cite news|title = Nine to simulcast in HD, launches new lifestyle channel|publisher = NineMSN|date = 28 October 2015|url = http://www.9news.com.au/entertainment/2015/10/28/22/50/nine-to-launch-new-lifestyle-channel-and-broadcast-in-hd|access-date = 27 January 2016|first=Darren|last=Devlyn}}</ref><ref name="resurrectHD">{{cite web|first=Reilly|last=Claire|title=Nine Network to live stream all channels and revamp HD|url=https://www.cnet.com/au/news/nine-network-to-live-stream-all-channels-and-revamp-hd/|publisher=cnet.com.au|date=29 October 2015|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> On 16 December 2015, Nine also changed its on-air theme for a continuous design across all of its channels with the [[Nine News]]/9news.com.au branding to remain unchanged. This included a new look for program listings, program advertisements and promos. Additionally in November 2015, Hugh Marks replaced [[David Gyngell]] as CEO.

On 27 January 2016, Nine's online catch-up video on-demand service 9Jumpin was retired and replaced by [[9Now]]. 9Now offers a range of content larger than 9Jumpin and also offers a live streaming service for Nine's multicast channels. Live streaming for Nine was launched on the same day, with streaming for [[9Gem]], [[9Go!]] and [[9Life]] launched on 19 May 2016. Following the launch of 9Now, the [[WIN Corporation]], owner of Nine affiliate [[WIN Television]], filed a lawsuit against Nine Entertainment Co., claiming that live streaming into regional areas breaches their affiliation agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/bruce-gordons-win-takes-nine-to-court-over-streaming-20160210-gmqjg1.html |title=Bruce Gordon's WIN takes Nine to court over streaming |last=Mason |first=Max |date=10 February 2016 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mumbrella.com.au/win-takes-nine-to-court-over-live-streaming-345668 |title=WIN takes Nine to court to try and block its live streaming service 9Now in regional areas |last=Christensen |first=Nic |date=10 February 2016 |publisher=mUmBRELLA |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> The case was later dismissed on 28 April 2016 with Justice Hammerschlag of the NSW Supreme Court stating that, "I have concluded that live streaming is not broadcasting within the meaning of the PSA (program supply agreement), and that Nine is under no express or implied obligation not to do it."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-28/win-tv-loses-court-bid-over-program-streaming/7368206 |title=Regional broadcaster WIN loses bid to stop Channel Nine streaming programs |last=McDonald |first=Philippa |date=28 April 2016 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=28 April 2016 |title=Nine victory in 9NOW streaming lawsuit filed by WIN TV |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/04/nine-victory-in-9now-streaming-lawsuit-filed-by-win-tv.html |access-date=29 April 2016 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref>

Following their victory in the 9Now court case, Nine Entertainment Co. announced on 29 April 2016 that it had signed a $500 million five year affiliation deal with [[Southern Cross Austereo]], the then-primary regional affiliate of [[Network 10]]. On 1 July 2016, [[WIN Television]] lost its Nine affiliate status to Southern Cross, which had Nine's metropolitan branding introduced across its now [[Nine (Southern Cross Austereo)|Nine-branded television assets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mumbrella.com.au/nine-entertainment-and-southern-cross-austereo-sign-affiliate-agreement-363377 |title=Nine Entertainment and Southern Cross Austereo sign 'landmark' affiliate agreement |last=Hayes |first=Alex |date=29 April 2016 |publisher=mUmBRELLA |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/nine-and-southern-cross-in-multiyear-affiliation-deal-20160428-goha3w.html |title=Nine and Southern Cross in multi-year affiliation deal |last=White |first=Dominic |date=29 April 2016 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Nine later secured an affiliate deal with [[MDV (TV station)|Mildura Digital Television]], a joint venture between WIN and Prime Media Group, on 28 June 2016 to supply Nine content to the Mildura and Sunraysia area due to WIN switching affiliation to Network Ten.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/nine-inks-affiliate-deal-to-run-signal-into-regional-victoria/news-story/ce0e9b776624e5e71b5ae59d7e6d15a6 |title=Nine reaches affiliate deal to run signal into regional Victoria |last=Mitchell |first=Jake |date=28 June 2016 |publisher=The Australian |access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> Nine finalised supply deals with WIN for South Australia and Griffith on 29 June 2016 after long negotiations,<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/nine-signs-affiliate-deals-with-win/news-story/bd98d2d5f0cbf67e724a4902273ec7dc |title=Nine signs affiliate deals with WIN |last=Mitchell |first=Jake |date=29 June 2016 |publisher=The Australian |access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/nine-network-television-programs-to-remain-on-air-in-the-riverland-and-southeast/news-story/02c493e463af9a7ab7d771ebbc567b6b |title=Nine Network television programs to remain on air in the Riverland and South-East |last=Jones |first=Erin |date=29 June 2016 |publisher=The Advertiser |access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref> with a deal for Tasmanian joint venture [[TDT (TV station)|TDT]] secured the following day after long negotiations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/nine-and-wintv-shows-might-be-axed-from-screens-in-the-riverland-and-southeast/news-story/1abef0b640be7c3298e3f9ad0d3e836b |title=Nine and WIN-TV shows might be axed from screens in the Riverland and South-East |last=Debelle|first=Penny |date=18 June 2016 |publisher=The Advertiser |access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Mitchell"/><ref name="Jones"/> A supply deal for Western Australia joint venture [[West Digital Television]] was not secured before the 1 July 2016 deadline,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/tasmania-could-go-from-channel-9-to-channel-nein-as-network-yet-to-sign-deal-to-broadcast-in-state/news-story/e25d6a0ac0e1e921e513c595c91f2532 |title=Tasmania could go from Channel 9 to Channel Nein as network yet to sign deal to broadcast in state |last=Benuik |first=David |date=18 June 2016 |publisher=Sunday Tasmanian |access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref> but a deal was later finalised on 2 July 2016 with programming resuming that night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/07/nine-reaches-regional-wa-agreement-with-win-prime.html |title=Nine reaches regional WA agreement with WIN / Prime |last=Knox |first=David |date=3 July 2016 |publisher=TV Tonight |access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> Also after 10 years as an independent affiliate, NBN was finally folded in to the Nine Network with the NBN logo being retired on air after 54 years. However, despite being a Nine O&O, NBN News remains as an independent news bulletin, despite adopting the full Nine News on air look.

In June 2018, it was announced that Nine would enter into a joint venture with [[Australian News Channel]] (ANC) to create ''[[Your Money (TV channel)|Your Money]]'', a [[business news]] channel that was replaced the [[Sky News Business Channel]] on [[Foxtel]] channel 601 and also available free-to-air through Nine on channel 95, replacing [[Extra (Australian TV channel)|Extra]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Marsh |first=Stuart |date=24 June 2018 |title=Nine announces new 24-hour business channel with ANC |url=https://finance.nine.com.au/2018/06/25/08/55/nine-announces-new-24-hour-business-channel-with-anc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625034028/https://finance.nine.com.au/2018/06/25/08/55/nine-announces-new-24-hour-business-channel-with-anc |archive-date=25 June 2018 |access-date=8 August 2018 |website=9Finance |publisher=Nine Entertainment Co}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/sky-business-rebrands-as-your-money-in-joint-venture-between-news-corp-and-nine-525240 |title=Sky Business rebrands as Your Money in joint venture between News Corp and Nine |last=Wallbank |first=Paul |date=25 June 2018 |website=Mumbrella |access-date=8 August 2018}}</ref> However, it closed on 17 May 2019 due to lack of advertising and poor ratings.

===Return to the top (2019–2021)===

After 12 years, the Nine Network won the 2019 ratings year for the first time since 2006. The [[Seven Network]] had won every ratings year between 2007 and 2018 inclusive, however, due to lower than expected ratings, and a launch of new programs not performing as hoped, this allowed Nine to regain lost ground during the most competitive times of the ratings period (most notably, Nine's ''[[Married at First Sight (Australian TV series)|Married At First Sight]]'' performed above expectations, and consistently beat ''[[My Kitchen Rules]]'' which saw its lowest figures on record) which resulted in Nine's first win in the first quarter since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/seven-set-for-730-stripped-programming-across-2020.html|title=Seven set for 7:30 stripped programming across 2020|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=31 October 2019|access-date=6 November 2020|first=David|last=Knox}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/01/married-at-first-sight-beats-my-kitchen-rules-return.html|title=Married at First Sight beats My Kitchen Rules return|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=29 January 2019|access-date=6 November 2020|first=David|last=Knox}}</ref>

Nine's yearly share for 2019 concluded at 29.4%, a 2.1% increase from 2018 (27.3%) compared to Seven's 29.0%, a 1.7% decline from 2018 (30.7%)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/nine-emerges-from-the-ratings-wilderness-to-snatch-seven-s-lead-with-a-steady-ship-20191201-p53fu2.html|title=Nine emerges from the ratings wilderness to snatch Seven's lead with a steady ship|publisher=smh.com.au|date=1 December 2019|access-date=6 November 2020|first=Nathanael|last=Cooper}}</ref>

In 2020, despite drastic and last minute changes to most network's programming schedules in light of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] the Nine Network has managed to retain the number one lead by a considerable margin.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

On 5 April 2020, Nine launched [[9Rush]] as a joint venture with [[Discovery Inc.]], which features action and adventure-themed reality series targeting a young adult male audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/03/9rush-channel-to-launch-with-adrenaline-reality.html|title=9Rush channel to launch with "adrenaline reality"|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=20 March 2020|access-date=6 November 2020|first=David|last=Knox}}</ref>
On 1 October 2020, the Nine Network re-launched [[Extra (Australian TV channel)|Extra]], after 2 years being discontinued, thanks to ''[[Your Money (TV channel)|Your Money]]''.

[[File:1 Denison Street North Sydney.jpg|thumb|213x213px|1 Denison Street, the Nine Network's current headquarters in [[North Sydney, New South Wales|North Sydney]]]]
On 21 November 2020, Nine moved their Sydney studios from Willoughby to North Sydney. This comes after real estate developer Mirvac bought the Willoughby studios in February 2020, and plans to transform the studios into 460 new homes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Sue |date=29 June 2020 |title=Willoughby home of the Nine Network to be transformed into 460 new homes |url=https://www.domain.com.au/news/willoughby-home-of-the-nine-network-to-be-transformed-into-460-new-homes-965592/ |access-date=9 September 2023 |publisher=[[Domain Group]]}}</ref>

In March 2021, it was reported that the network had suffered a suspected [[ransomware]] attack using MedusaLocker during live broadcast. The hack disrupted its programming in Sydney and Darwin. Australia's parliament and [[Taylors Wines]] was also subject to a cyberattack around the same time, although it is unclear if the incidents are connected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/australias-channel-9-tv-cyberattack-live-broadcast-1234723557/|title=Australia's Channel 9 TV Suffers Cyberattack During Live Broadcast|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|first=Tom|last=Grater}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nine Network confirms its live broadcasts were disrupted by a 'cyber-attack'|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nine-network-confirms-its-live-broadcasts-were-disrupted-by-a-cyber-attack|access-date=2021-03-30|website=SBS News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-28|title=Australia's Channel Nine Suffers Cyberattack, Disruption to Live Broadcasts|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/australias-channel-nine-suffers-cyber-attack-disruption-to-live-broadcasts|access-date=2021-03-30|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Nine says it has isolated source of cyber attack|url=https://www.afr.com/technology/nine-in-the-dark-on-cyber-hit-as-ongoing-recovery-struggle-looms-20210329-p57f0l|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Varghese |first=Sam |date=30 March 2021 |title=Windows MedusaLocker ransomware likely used in Nine attack for profit |url=https://itwire.com/security/windows-medusalocker-ransomware-likely-used-in-nine-attack-for-profit.html |access-date=30 March 2021 |website=iTWire |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Aisthorpe |first=Judith |date=30 March 2021 |title=Nine News Darwin affected by cyber attack, runs shortened 6pm bulletin |url=https://www.ntnews.com.au/nine-news-darwin-affected-by-cyber-attack-runs-shortened-6pm-news-bulletin/news-story/08275b8960d7291e000aa94119eee936 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 March 2023 |newspaper=[[Northern Territory News]]}}</ref>

On 12 March 2021, Nine announced that it would return to [[WIN Television]] as its regional affiliate in most markets beginning on 1 July 2021, in a deal that will last at least seven years. SCA subsequently announced that it would return to Network 10, effectively reversing their 2016 realignment. Under the agreement, WIN will pay half of its regional advertising revenue to Nine Entertainment Co., and provide advertising time for Nine's properties on its radio and television outlets. WIN will also provide advertising sales services for Nine's O&O stations NBN and NTD (with the former succeeding a similar agreement it had with SCA). Nine CEO Hugh Marks explained that "while our relationship with Southern Cross has been strong over the last five years, the opportunities presented by the WIN Network to both extend the reach of Nine's premium content into more regional markets under one agreement, and to work cooperatively with them on a national and local news operation, mean this is the right time for us to return to WIN."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Samios|first=Zoe|date=2021-06-25|title=Ten and Southern Cross sign short broadcast affiliate deal|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/ten-and-southern-cross-sign-short-broadcast-affiliate-deal-20210625-p58490.html|access-date=2022-02-16|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mediaweek|date=2021-03-11|title=Nine changes regional TV partners and signs deal with WIN|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-signs-deal-with-win/|access-date=2021-05-16|website=Mediaweek|language=en-AU}}</ref>