NITV TO BROADCAST 2026 NATIONAL NAIDOC AWARDS LIVE FROM MPARNTWE
NITV will broadcast the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards live from Mparntwe, Alice Springs, this Saturday 15 August.
The ceremony will be hosted by NITV’s John Paul Janke and Bo de la Cruz, with audiences able to watch the main awards coverage through NITV’s digital platforms and SBS On Demand.
For Australian viewers, the broadcast brings one of the most significant First Nations events on the national calendar to a broad digital audience before a later NITV channel broadcast in September.
Celebrating 50 Years Of Deadly
The 2026 National NAIDOC Awards will celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, and honour ten individuals and groups for their achievements and contributions.
The recognised areas span art, sport, language, education, employment, training, leadership, community empowerment, and the preservation of Culture and Country.
The ceremony will also feature performances from acclaimed Yankunytjatjara performer Zaachariaha Fielding and Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji/Noongar singer Emma Donovan.
Hosts And Coverage
John Paul Janke, a proud Wuthathi and Meriam man, will co-host the gala with Bo de la Cruz, a descendant of the Gudjula and Erubian people.
NITV’s Blak Carpet coverage will stream live on NITV’s TikTok from 5:30pm ACST and 6:00pm AEST, capturing arrivals, fashion and the atmosphere from Mparntwe.
The National NAIDOC Awards live coverage will stream from 7:00pm ACST and 7:30pm AEST on Saturday 15 August through NITV’s YouTube and Facebook channels, as well as SBS On Demand.
NITV Broadcast Details
The 2026 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony will also broadcast on NITV on Tuesday 1 September at 10:35pm AEST.
NITV says it has consulted with the National NAIDOC Committee and the Granites, Rockman, White and Roy families to proceed with the Awards coverage on Saturday 15 August. The Awards will open with a special acknowledgement to Kumanjayi Little Baby, and guests are invited to wear something featuring her favourite colour, pink.
SBS and NITV are the home of National NAIDOC Week and the principal media partner for the event.
For more NITV stories, visit TV Central’s NITV section. Viewers can watch live coverage through SBS On Demand.
