TV Central to cease Channel 9 content – TV Central has made the difficult decision to no longer feature content from Nine Network (Channel 9) on this site.
This is not a decision taken lightly. Nine is the #2 network in Australia, and removing its presence from TV Central almost feels counterintuitive to what this community represents. TV Central remains one of the few platforms dedicated to celebrating television — recognising its ability to bring Australians together through breaking news, major entertainment events and the “water cooler” moments discussed in schools and workplaces across the country.
From day one, my approach has been simple: celebrate television.
That has meant absorbing hits to readership by refusing to publish clickbait stories — even when they would have delivered significant traffic. I have consciously avoided speculative pieces, rumours, or stories designed purely to generate outrage or gossip. Instead, the focus has always been on the bread and butter of the industry: the programs, the people who make them, and the audiences who watch them.
In practical terms, TV Central has consistently provided comprehensive support for Nine’s programming, including:
- Publishing every media release — without cherry-picking
- Publishing every corporate media release
- Providing daily viewing highlights supplied by the network
- Maintaining TV guides
- Producing podcasts that have been well received
- Delivering detailed, non-opinionated ratings analysis seven days a week
- Linking every Nine story to 9Now (or Stan where relevant)
- Covering everything from major national hits such as Married at First Sight Australia to local and lifestyle productions like My Way and Postcards
- Ensuring sponsors and advertisers supporting these programs also receive visibility
In many respects, TV Central has operated as a free publicity arm for the network — ensuring readers are informed and programs across both the main channel and multichannels receive exposure.
However, the issue extends beyond television guides and programming amendments.
While I have requested to be included on the standard distribution lists for amendments and updates — as dozens of other outlets are — those requests have been declined. On one occasion, Nine agreed to provide amendments on the condition that I never ask programming questions outside specific prime-time slots. Despite agreeing to that arrangement, the amendments were not forthcoming.
More broadly, there has been a pattern of limited engagement:
- Requests for basic program information have gone unanswered.
- Information has been sought from me, only for Nine to later decline providing details.
- The same information declined to TV Central has subsequently been provided to other outlets.
- My one annual exclusive industry feature — designed purely to celebrate television — has been declined by Nine, while comparable information has been supplied by competitors.
That last point is particularly disappointing. I run only one exclusive initiative each year. It is not controversial, it is not designed for clicks, and it exists solely to highlight and celebrate the industry. Participation is always optional — but declining to participate while supporting similar coverage elsewhere raises legitimate concerns about fairness and consistency.
Programming is the lifeblood of broadcast television. Whether a show attracts 40,000 viewers on a multichannel or millions nationally, those viewers matter. Their advertisers matter. The teams who produce those programs matter. Ensuring accurate and comprehensive coverage of all programming — not just marquee titles — has always been central to what TV Central does.
Seven, 10, ABC and SBS have consistently been responsive, professional and supportive of this platform. Unfortunately, conversations with Nine suggest that historical issues from more than a decade ago continue to influence current access. Some interactions have been disappointing in tone and spirit.
Removing Nine content — even temporarily — is not beneficial to TV Central in the short term. It will impact readership and coverage scope. However, maintaining editorial integrity and ensuring consistent, professional engagement across networks is more important than preserving access that is conditional or inconsistently applied.
TV Central will continue to champion Australian television, support the broadcasters who engage openly and respectfully, and celebrate the industry that brings us together every single day.
I must use this last point to say that MANY at Nine are fantastic – the Stan team are one of the best in the business and I will keep supporting them on this site. Many of the publicists have been fantastic and I have a fantastic rapport with them (and I know they will be disappointed).
There are so many wonderful people at Nine.
When Nine wishes to level the playing field my door is open, whether that be hours, days or months.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of TV Central and other networks will continue, as will ratings, streaming options, tv guides, cinema previews and reviews and podcasts.
