Update: Clarifying TV Central’s Position on Nine Content – Following the publication of this article, many readers have asked why TV Central is no longer carrying Channel 9 programming content. I want to provide a clearer and more complete explanation of the situation.
TV Central has long supported Nine by acting as a de facto publicity arm—publishing media releases, promoting programming, sharing extended ratings analysis, producing podcasts, and writing reviews that drive audiences toward Nine’s platforms, including 9Now. Every Nine-related story has historically linked back to their ecosystem, providing what would reasonably equate to thousands of dollars’ worth of promotional value.
A key issue in this situation is access to television listings. Nine currently provides TV Central with the same limited weekly guide distributed to some other blogs that do NOT provide a fully updated comprehensive guide. However, unlike these competitors, TV Central operates a regularly updated, market-specific prime-time TV guide.
This requires ongoing amendments and updates—information that is routinely supplied across the industry.
To be clear, updated guides and amendments for all markets and channels are widely distributed across numerous platforms and publishers, including:
- YourTV
- Aus TV
- Freeview Australia
- On TV Tonight (not to be confused with TV Tonight)
- Our Guide
- IceTV
- TV Guide Tonight
- Fetch TV
- Major metropolitan newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail, The Advertiser, The West Australian, The Australian, The Canberra Times, The Mercury, and NT News
- Various News Corp suburban publications
- TV Week
- Foxtel
These organisations—along with many others—receive consistent updates and amendments to ensure viewers have accurate and timely listings. TV Central is not included in these distributions.
This effectively places TV Central at a disadvantage and redirects audiences elsewhere for accurate information—something that directly impacts the business. While guides are only one part of what we do, they are an important service to readers and a key driver of engagement.
Beyond listings, this issue extends into broader editorial participation. TV Central produces two major annual features covering programming strategies and upfronts. Nine has declined to participate in these initiatives, despite contributing to similar coverage from competing outlets.
It is important to note that this situation does not reflect the efforts of Nine’s publicity team, who have been consistently professional and supportive.
Likewise, we continue to provide Stan materials—including weekly updates, sport highlights, and monthly programming—which TV Central is proud to publish in full and for which I can see no other organisation do.
The concerns outlined here relate specifically to decisions within Nine’s programming department. This has been an ongoing issue, and despite efforts to resolve it, the disparity remains.
TV Central is not asking for special treatment—only equal footing. Inclusion in the same distribution lists already provided to comparable organisations would resolve the listings issue immediately. This is a simple step that would benefit both parties and, most importantly, the audience.
I remain open and committed to working constructively with Nine to move forward. The goal is to restore a fair and collaborative relationship that allows TV Central to continue supporting Nine’s content in the way it has done for many years.
TV Central Nine content HERE
Update: Clarifying TV Central’s Position on Nine Content
