Nine confirms launch date for local Canberra News service

The first of Nine’s new regional services will commence in Canberra on Monday, February 6th.

The launch marks the start of a rollout of 15 additional 1-hour news bulletins that will serve regional community’s in Victoria, Southern NSW and Queensland.

Former ABC Breakfast weather presenter Vanessa O’Hanlon will present the Canberra bulletin. O’Hanlon will also present bulletins for Wollongong, Central West (Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo) and Wagga Wagga when they launch later this year.

Melbourne based presenter Jo Hall will front the bulletins to be broadcast in regional Victoria. And Samantha Heathwood will front the regional Queensland bulletins.

The one-hour 6pm Monday to Friday news bulletins will contain local stories, sport and weather reports, together with all the State-based, national and international news.

In one of the largest rollouts of news operations in Australia, in total more than 110 staff will be employed by Nine in the regional news division.

The bulletins will be produced and presented from Nine’s metro studios in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

The launch comes at a time when rival WIN News is struggling to find an audience after changes to affiliate agreements mid-year.

Grant Blackley, Chief Executive Officer of SCA, said:

“We are pleased to be able to broadcast a Canberra-based news service for our viewers. We are committed to investing in jobs and our local communities, bringing the best local stories to air and providing our Canberra clients and businesses with new opportunities to reach their customers.”

Mike Dalton, Director of Regional News for the Nine Network, said:

“Nine has had a big presence in Canberra for many years, spearheaded by Australia’s No. 1 political journalist, Laurie Oakes. We’re now expanding our footprint beyond the walls of Parliament House, with a team of reporters out in the suburbs reporting the stories that matter most to the residents of the ACT. Nine News has been broadcasting for more than 60 years and now it’s Canberra’s turn to experience the bulletin that Australians turn to for trust, credibility and experience.”

Nine will announce launch dates for more additional regional bulletins throughout the year.

Southern NSW

• Canberra
• Wollongong
• Central West (Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo)
• Wagga Wagga

Regional Victoria

• Ballarat
• Bendigo
• Albury/Shepparton
• Gippsland

Regional Queensland

• Cairns
• Townsville
• Mackay
• Rockhampton
• Wide Bay
• Toowoomba
• Sunshine Coast