Nine 'resets' itself with 9Now online, HD channel


Details

Rebecca Hawkes

| 29 October 2015





Australia's Nine Network is combining its live streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) services on one platform with the launch of 9Now in early 2016.


The new online video platform will replace Nine's current catch-up service, 9JumpIn, and will be available on Telstra TV, Apple TV and HBBTV – with plans to expand to Xbox consoles and Fetch TV.

"9Now gives audiences the choice they want and takes the Nine brand, with all its heritage and great content, into the future," said David Gyngell, CEO, Nine.

"It delivers Nine's premium programmes, from sport and news to drama and big event shows, to audiences when they want it and where they want it."

The plans confirm Nine's intention to follow the route already announced by Australia's Seven West Media to stream live content.

The free-to-air commercial network will also launch 9HD to coincide with cricket's Third Test between Australia and New Zealand on 26 November – although it will also broadcast the match in standard definition.

"With over 90% of sets at home being HD enabled, it's pretty important that we give consumers what they've been asking for, which is their sets in high definition," said Peter Wiltshire, chief revenue officer, Nine.

"As we reach full penetration of HD sets, this is a necessity. It becomes the primary anchor of Nine going forward as a channel."

A free-to-air lifestyle channel, called 9Life, will also be on air in 2016.

Nine is also launching a live voting or polling platform called 9Vote, which will sit across all of Nine's distribution network going forward.