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Nine's Wide World of Sports

Network	Nine Network
Launched	1956
Country of origin	Australia
Owner	Nine Entertainment Co.
Headquarters	North Sydney, New South Wales
Major broadcasting contracts	NRL NRL Women's State of Origin Super Rugby Super W Bledisloe Cup Wallabies Internationals The Rugby Championship Wallabies Spring Tour Summer Olympics Winter Olympics US Masters Australian Open ATP Cup French Open Wimbledon US Open Melbourne Cup
Formerly known as	Nine Sports (1972–1982)
Sister network	Nine Network 9Gem 9Go! 9Now
Official website	wwos.nine.com.au

Nine's Wide World of Sports is a long running sports anthology brand on Australian television that airs on the Nine Network and streaming service Stan. All major sports, events and series covered by the network are broadcast under this brand, the flagship sports being rugby league (National Rugby League), rugby union (Super Rugby and Wallabies international matches) and Grand Slam tennis (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open), the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Games, and spring horse racing (Melbourne Cup). Previous sporting rights include the Australian rules football (Australian Football League), Australian Cricket Team home season, autumn horse racing, swimming until 2008, and golf (US Masters) since 2018.

History

1981–1990s – Creation and contract competition

Wide World of Sports (WWoS) is a long-used title for Nine's sport programming. All sports broadcasts on Nine air under the WWoS brand. It was also the name of a popular sports magazine program that aired most Saturdays and Sundays. This program filled many of the summer daytime hours. It was first pitched by David Hill who went on to hold a broad portfolio in WWoS. The program premiered at 1:00 pm on Saturday, 23 May 1981, and was initially hosted by Mike Gibson and Ian Chappell, before being hosted in the 1990s by Max Walker and Ken Sutcliffe. Ian Maurice was the regular anchor at the WWOS Update Desk. The show ended in 1999, due in large part to the rise of Fox Sports (which Nine's owner owned half of) and other subscription sport channels, but the show returned in 2008 on Sunday mornings.

It was unrelated to the series "Wide World of Sports" aired by ABC in the United States, which started in 1961. From the early 1970s, the main sport aired nationally under the WWoS brand was cricket. Nine's majority owner Kerry Packer created World Series Cricket in part because he couldn't obtain the rights to Australian test matches at home, even though he offered the Australian Cricket Board a $1.5 million 3-year contract which was rejected by the ACB who signed a 3-year deal with the ABC to broadcast test matches. This led to Packer signing in secret some of the world's best cricket players for a breakaway competition.

In 1978, 35 of the "world's best players" had signed with Packer's World Series Cricket, which was broadcast in competition with ABC's cricket coverage of the ICC. Nine's Wide World of Sports was the "first broadcaster to put a microphone on the players for an international cricket match," which later became common practice in the industry. ABC and Nine then signed a truce after a long dispute in 1979, with Nine securing the exclusive rights to telecast Australian cricket. From that point until 2006, Nine based its summer schedule around broadcasts of cricket internationally and domestic. Its cricket broadcasts in that era revolutionized the way the sport was covered, featuring cameras placed at both ends of the field (after Packer famously complained about seeing "cricketer's bums" every second over), instant replays, and other innovations. World Series Cricket made many other changes to cricket, having a huge impact on the game.

David Hill was among the early executives that developed WWoS. In the early 1980s, well-known hosts and presenters on Wide World of Sports included Mike Gibson and Ian Chappell, both the inaugural hosts of the Saturday afternoon program in 1981.

Billy Birmingham in 1984 released a comedy album that satirized cricket "and in particular Channel Nine's iconic commentary team with Richie Benaud the central figure," which became popular in Australia, called The Wired World of Sports. Among the hosts satirized were his friend Mike Gibson. Birmingham went on to release a series of albums ridiculing all aspects of Wide World of Sports, calling the show "Wired World of Sports". From the first to the most recent (2006), all have reached number one on the Australian album chart.

David Hill helped establish Nine's Wide World of Sports early on, and was a "sounding board when the billionaire famously sold the network to Alan Bond and then bought it back three years later for less than a quarter of the price." Writes the Sydney Morning Herald, "Packer's decision to sell Nine to Bond in 1987 for $1.2 billion - before buying back the network in 1990 for $250 million - is legendary in Australian television." Other early broadcasters at WWoS included Ron Casey.

January 1995 saw the beginning of Premier Sports Network, the channel that was to become Fox Sports. It secured the rights to Australia's cricket tour of the West Indies, Nine's first challenge since winning its World Series war. Nine tried to stop the broadcast under Australia's "anti-siphoning" rules, which exist to stop certain popular sporting events being screened exclusively on pay television. But it failed when Premier Sports Network came to an agreement to broadcast the tour free to air on Network 10.

WWoS's other main sport was and is rugby league. This was challenged in 1997 by the establishment of Super League, the repercussions of which led to Nine's parent company owning half of Fox Sports that year, and ultimately Nine's move away from popular live sport. This partial purchase of Fox Sports roughly coincided with the end of Nine's traditional Saturday and Sunday daytime schedule of sports programming. What had once filled it now filled subscription channels, mainly Fox Sports. Old movies and other low rating programs filled much of the space. Between the late 1970s and 1997, when Australians had wanted to watch continuous sport at home on a summer weekend, they had largely done so by tuning to Nine. Those in NSW, Queensland and the ACT did this all year round, due to rugby league's popularity in those areas. Now Fox Sports had that mantle, and gave viewers continuous sport all week long.

In the 1990s, the Wide World of Sports marketed sports paraphernalia such as signed and framed bats, and items from the Australian Rugby League.

Paul Sheahan hosted Nine's Wide World of Sports program until 1999. Max Walker hosted until it ended in 1999.

2000–2008 – Changing broadcasting deals

In 2001, The Nine Network acquired broadcast rights for Friday night and Sunday afternoon games in the Australian Football League, the elite Australian rules football competition in 2001. Seven had previously held the TV rights for 44 years prior. They shared the rights with Network Ten and Foxtel from 2002 through to 2006, but the deal assigned exclusive rights for the finals series to Ten, a deal which reportedly flabbergasted Nine boss Kerry Packer.

As it also had the rights for all major swimming competitions until 2008, major swimming competitions were shown in primetime. During the early to mid-2000s, Nine for the first time had the FTA rights to the highest competitions of Australia's four biggest spectator sports: rugby league, Australian rules (shared with Ten), cricket and swimming. While Nine no longer had the volume of sport it once had, during the 2000-2006 period it dominated non-Olympic sport broadcasting in Australia.

With existing agreements then set to expire in 2006 and 2007, in 2005, Channel Nine secured a deal to air NRL games until the end of 2012.

Eddie McGuire was named CEO of Nine Network with oversight of the Wide World of Sports brand in 2006.

In January 2006, the Seven Network and Network Ten exercised their "first and last" rights agreement with the AFL to trump the Nine Network's $780 million bid for broadcasting rights for the years 2007 to 2011. If Seven and Ten were unable to match the AFL's "quality of coverage" demands by 5 May 2006 (better coverage into regional areas, northern states and on pay television, as promised in the Nine bid) the AFL would have been allowed to award the broadcasting rights back to Nine.

The Seven/Ten consortium, however, obtained the rights, with Nine broadcasting its last AFL match on Sunday 3 September 2006. The match was hosted by Tony Jones with a guest appearance from Nine's then chief executive and former AFL commentator Eddie McGuire.

In 2004, it was making an annual income of around $30 million on broadcasting Australian cricket, with the television rights expiring at the end of the 2006. Around 2004, Cricket Australia began negotiating for a higher price. In 2005, Nine Network bid on cricket for $45 million a year, winning the contract and signing a seven year deal with Cricket Australia.

From the beginning of the 2006-2007 cricket season, Nine no longer broadcast Australian domestic cricket.

In 2012, Nine Network had a $1 billion contract for NRL rights and a $300 million cricket rights deal set to expire the following March.

Instead, it replaced the coverage with delayed National Basketball League matches in October, with weekly one-hour highlight shows and full games. The domestic cricket matches, long a mainstay of Nine's summer programming, moved exclusively to Fox Sports.

2008–2020: return of Wide World of Sports

After a ten-year hiatus, it was announced that the Wide World of Sports weekly television program would return to Nine on 16 March 2008, using the same theme song as the old version, as well as accessing old footage for replays. This show was hosted by the previous host Ken Sutcliffe, with footy show star James Brayshaw as well as former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist. Revolving co-hosts included former swimmers Giaan Rooney, Nicole Livingstone and former cricketer Michael Slater. That year, it broadcast the Australian Open with its own team of commentators. The show originally aired for 90 minutes but was recently extended to two hours. It aired on Sunday mornings at 9am till 11am.

In 2008, the Nine Network and Microsoft joint venture ninemsn had a section dedicated to the Wide World of Sports. In 2009, Grant Hackett and Michael Slater joined the team as co-hosts alongside Sutcliffe and Rooney. Livingstone did not return, as she joined Network Ten as a commentator. Rooney resigned from the Nine Network at the end of 2012 to join the Seven Network. It was thought that the Seven Network would continue its tradition of airing the Olympic Games for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. However, Nine in joint partnership with Foxtel, has secured broadcasting rights which the network has described as the most comprehensive coverage of the Olympics. The partnership also won the rights to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

For more than 40 years, the Nine Network had also broadcast the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament before ultimately dropping it after the 2010 tournament, citing declining ratings. The last Wimbledon match televised by Nine was the men's singles final played between Rafael Nadal and Tomáš Berdych, which Nadal won. The Seven Network have gained broadcasting rights to Wimbledon, from 2011 until 2019 except for 2020 due to covid virus. The Australian Rugby League Commission in August 2012 agreed to a five-year broadcast deal in Australia with Nine Entertainment to air on its Wide World of Sports brand, and for $1.025 billion, was the "most lucrative agreement in rugby league history."

In 2013, the Wide World of Sports brand was facing challenges from other television networks its broadcast rights to Cricket Australia. Nine had a contract clause, however, so that if it were to "match the highest offer means it is still expected to retain the rights, despite its exclusive window for negotiations having closed." With Nine Network's cricket coverage winning in 1982, the television show won "Most Popular Sports Program" at the Logie Awards in 1986. It was nominated for the "Most Popular Sports Coverage" award at the 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Logie Awards, being beaten by The NRL Footy Show on all occasions.

Until 2016, Steve Crawley was the rugby league boss at Wide World of Sports, when he was hired by FOX Sports. He was replaced by Tom Malone as Director of Sport. After she was fired in 2014 as a cost-cutting measure, in 2016 Emma Freedman again signed up with Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports as an announcer. The weekly show was no longer airing as of 2017. Sports Sunday replaced the show in the Sunday 10am time slot.

In 2017, the WWoS channel was featuring the Netball World Series, hosted by Erin Molan and with commentators Liz Ellis, Sharelle McMahon, Cath Cox and Anne Sargeant. In 2017, the channel signed Ray Warren for five more years, for as long as they retained their rugby league rights. Also that year, WWoS announced a GPS player tracking system into its rugby broadcasting. WWoS relinquished the rights broadcast cricket in 2018 to Seven West Media, instead picking up the Australian Open tennis broadcast for that summer. In 2019, the WWoS was streaming rugby on its digital platform, with a rugby commentary team led by Ray Warren. In 2018, WWoS announced had secured "free TV and streaming rights" for the Masters Tournament to be played at Augusta National Golf Club.

The Wide World of Sports studio was set up in Melbourne for the 2019 Australian Open for tennis, with a commentary team headed up by John McEnroe and Jim Courier. Originally Wide World of Sports had been set to air it for 2020 until 2024, but they were sold the 2019 broadcast rights by Seven Network. Nine's Wide World of Sports in 2019 included the Australian Open, "the Sydney International, Brisbane International and Hopman Cup tennis tournaments, the Holden State of Origin, the Cricket World Cup, the Ashes, The Masters and the NBL."

Macquarie Media in 2020 began airing an hour-long Wide World of Sports radio broadcast hosted by Mark Levy. Also in April 2020, WWoS introduced a new show on the Australian Open, hosted by Todd Woodbridge and Sam Groth, titled the Greatest Australian Open Matches. In 2020, the National Rugby League and Nine resolved a contract dispute over scheduling.

2020–present: rugby and tennis expansion, Olympics and Paralympics, Stan Sport, Melbourne Cup

In November 2020, Nine Entertainment Co. acquired rights to Rugby Australia, as well as the French Open and The Championships, Wimbledon, with plans for pay-television coverage (ad-free and on-demand) to migrate to a new sport-oriented package on its subscription streaming service Stan, and selected matches/events to be broadcast free on the Nine Network.

On 8 February 2023, it was announced that Nine had re-gained the rights to the Olympic Games from 2024 through to the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane. On 20 February 2024, it was announced Nine had obtained the rights to broadcast the Melbourne Cup from 2024 through to 2029.

Events

Nine's Wide World of Sports holds broadcast rights to the following events:

Current

Past

The Nine Network televised the 2011 US Open final between Serena Williams and Samantha Stosur in its entirety.

Programs

Nine's Wide World of Sports has presented the following recurring programs:

Past

Local Sports Presenters

The following presenters work on Nine's flagship 6pm (5:30pm on the Gold Coast) news bulletins presenting the local sports segments during the second half of the bulletin.

WWOS Radio

Since 2020, each weeknight between 6pm and 7pm Nine owned radio stations program Wide World of Sports radio. This hour long program discusses relevant local, national and international sports issues as conducting interviews with current and former players, coaches and sports journalists.

Presenters and commentators

Nine's Wide World of Sports has hosts and commentators for a variety of sporting events. The following is a list of past and present personalities featured:

Wide World of Sports

Formerly called Sports Sunday until 2024

• Roz Kelly (2022–present)
• James Bracey (host, 2018–2022)
• Liz Ellis
• Peter FitzSimons
• Mark Taylor
• other assorted guests

Wide World of Sports

Past

• Michael Slater
• Emma Freedman
• John Steffenson
• Clint Stanaway
• Sally Fitzgibbons
• Ian Chappell
• Lisa Curry
• Ian Maurice
• Mike Gibson
• Tony Greig
• Max Walker
• Adam Gilchrist
• Giaan Rooney
• Yvonne Sampson
• Ken Sutcliffe
• Richie Calendar
• Kerryn Pratt
• Bill Lawry

Any Given Sunday

• James Brayshaw (2005)
• Nicole Livingstone (2006)
• Garry Lyon (2005)
• Mick Molloy (2006)
• Sam Newman (2005)

2024 Paris Olympics

All times are listed in AEST

Hosts

• Karl Stefanovic (5:30am to 11am)
• Sarah Abo (5:30am to 11am)
• Todd Woodbridge (12pm to 3pm)
• Leila McKinnon (3pm to 7pm)
• Dylan Alcott (3pm to 7pm)
• James Bracey (7pm to 1am)
• Allison Langdon (7pm to 1am)
• Eddie McGuire (1am to 6am)
• Sylvia Jeffreys (9Gem 5pm to 10pm)
• Nick McArdle (9Gem 10pm to 3am)
• Sam McClure (9Gem 3am to 8am)

Commentators

• Mathew Thompson (lead caller, Swimming)
• Ian Thorpe (expert caller, Swimming)
• Giaan Rooney (expert caller, Swimming)
• Roz Kelly (interviews, Swimming)
• Gerard Whateley (lead caller, Athletics)
• David Culbert (lead caller, Athletics, Canoe)
• Tony Jones (interviews, Athletics)
• Todd Woodbridge (lead caller, Beach Volleyball; expert caller, Tennis)
• Kerri Pottharst (expert caller, Beach Volleyball)
• Scott McGrory (lead caller, BMX, Cycling)
• Andy Raymond (lead caller and expert, Boxing)
• Shane McInnies (lead caller, Canoe)
• Richard Fox (expert caller, Canoe)
• Phil Liggett (lead caller, Cycling)
• Cadel Evans (expert caller, Cycling)
• Mark Taylor (lead caller, Diving)
• Sam Fricker (expert caller, Diving)
• Brenton Speed (lead caller, Football, Basketball, Tennis)
• Grace Gill (expert caller, Football)
• Adam Papalia (lead caller, Basketball, Judo)
• Andrew Gaze (expert caller, Basketball)
• Jenna O'Hea (expert caller, Basketball)
• Will Davies (lead caller, Hockey)
• Georgie Parker (expert caller, Hockey)
• Matt Hill (lead caller, Rowing)
• James Tomkins (expert caller, Rowing)
• Sean Maloney (lead caller, Rugby sevens)
• Drew Mitchell (expert caller, Rugby sevens)
• Sera Naiqama (expert caller, Rugby sevens)
• Peter Psaltis (lead caller, Shooting)
• Russell Mark (expert caller, Shooting)
• Will McCloy (lead caller, Triathlon)
• Annabel Luxford (expert caller, Triathlon)
• Mitch Tomlinson (lead caller, Skateboarding)
• Nick Boserio (expert caller, Skateboarding)

Reporters

• Damian Ryan (Chief 9News Olympics Reporter)
• Christine Ahern
• Dylan Alcott
• Josh Bavas
• Brooke Boney
• Luke Bradman (Surfing)
• Alex Cullen (Football)
• Edward Godfrey
• Tony Jones
• Roz Kelly
• Andrew Lofthouse
• Matthew Pavlich
• Alison Piotrowski
• Clint Stanaway

2012 London Olympics

Various Nine programs including Today, Mornings, Millionaire Hot Seat, The Footy Show, 60 Minutes and Australia's Funniest Home Videos went on hiatus during Nine's broadcast of the 2012 London Olympics. A daily two-hour highlights package London Gold aired at 9am weekdays following the live overnight coverage.

• Eddie McGuire
• Ken Sutcliffe
• Giaan Rooney
• James Brayshaw
• Ray Warren
• Garry Lyon
• Karl Stefanovic
• Leila McKinnon
• James Tomkins
• Kerri Pottharst
• Scott McGrory
• Debbie Watson
• Melinda Gainsford-Taylor
• Michael Slater
• Andrew Gaze
• Andrew Voss
• Grant Hackett
• Jane Flemming
• Mark Nicholas
• Cameron Williams
• Phil Liggett
• Simon O'Donnell
• Billy Brownless
• Tony Jones
• Daley Thompson
• Steve Ovett

Rugby league

Current

• James Bracey (Host, 2017–present)
• Danika Mason (Host, 2021–present)
• Mathew Thompson (Chief Commentator, 2012–present)
• Peter Psaltis (Chief Commentator, 2019–present)
• Brenton Speed (Chief Commentator, 2023–present)
• Paul Vautin (Commentator, 1992–present)
• Phil Gould (Commentator, 1994, 2000–present)
• Wally Lewis (Commentator, 2006–present)
• Andrew Johns (Commentator, 2007–present)
• Brad Fittler (Commentator, 2010–present)
• Darren Lockyer (Sideline Commentator, 2012–present)
• Allana Ferguson (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Ruan Sims (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Johnathan Thurston (Commentator, 2019–present)
• Billy Slater (Commentator, 2019–present)
• Sam Thaiday (Sideline Commentator, 2019–present)
• Paul Gallen (Sideline Commentator, 2020–present)
• Sonny Bill Williams (Commentator, 2021–present)
• Cameron Smith (Commentator, 2021–present)
• Millie Elliott (Commentator, 2023–present)

Former

• Ray Warren, (Chief Commentator, 1988–1989, 1991–2021)
• Darrell Eastlake (1983–1993)
• Ian Maurice (1983–1987, 1994)
• Jack Gibson (1983–1989)
• Mick Cronin (1988)
• Warren Ryan (1989)
• Michael Cleary (1989)
• Ellery Hanley (1989, 1992)
• Peter Sterling (1991–2021)
• Gavin Miller (1991)
• Gene Miles (1993–1994)
• Matthew Johns (2003–2009)
• Gary Belcher (1992–1997)
• Steve "Blocker" Roach (1992–1998)
• Andrew Voss (1994–2012) (host/commentator)
• Paul Harragon (2000–2008)
• Mark Coyne (2001–2002)
• Mark Geyer (2007–2008)
• Kevin Walters (2007) (Qld Matches Only)
• Steve Walters (2001–2002, 2009)
• Alan Thomas Occasional Chief Commentator (2007)
• Ben Ikin (2006–2009) Qld Cup (2012)
• Wendell Sailor (2007, 2009–2010)
• Jason Taylor (2002, 2010)
• Laurie Daley (2008)
• Mark Gasiner (2007) (Guest Commentator)
• Adam MacDougall (2007) (Guest Commentator)
• Tim Gilbert (chief commentator, 2006–2015)
• Gorden Tallis (sideline commentator, 2013–2015)
• Yvonne Sampson (host, 2013–2016)
• Brett Finch (sideline commentator, 2014–2016)
• Erin Molan (host, 2016–2021)
• Ray Hadley (Chief Commentator) (2012–2018)

NSW Cup

• Peter Psaltis (commentator, 2019–present)
• Jamie Soward (commentator, 2018–present)
• Danika Mason (host, 2019–present)

QLD Cup

• Mark Braybrook (commentator, 2019–present)
• Scott Sattler (commentator, 2013–present)
• Peter Badel (sideline commentator, 2016)
• Adam Jackson (sideline commentator 2016–present)

The Sunday NRL Footy Show

• Danika Mason (host)
• Andrew Johns (panelist)
• Brad Fittler (panelist)
• Billy Slater (panelist)

100% Footy

• James Bracey (Host)
• Emma Lawrence (Fill-in Host)
• Phil Gould (Panelist)
• Paul Gallen (Panelist)
• Michael Chammas (Panelist, fortnightly)
• Danny Weidler (Panelist, fortnightly)

The NRL Footy Show

Former

• Peter Sterling (1992–2007, 2010, co-host)
• Steve Roach (1992–1999, co-host)
• Ray Hadley (1995–1997, co-host)
• Paul Harragon (2001–2003, co-host)
• Matthew Johns (2003–2009, co-host)
• Laurie Daley (2008, co-host)
• Andrew Voss (2009)
• Benji Marshall (2010–2013, 2015)
• Brad Fittler (2010–2011, co-host)
• Michael Slater (2012–2014, co-host)
• Gorden Tallis (2013–2015)
• Erin Molan (host, 2018)
• Andrew Johns (co-host, 2018)
• Brad Fittler (co-host, 2018)
• Ryan Girdler (co-host, 2018)
• Darryl Brohman (small talk segment, 2010-2018)
• Beau Ryan (regular appearances, 2010–2018)
• Joel Caine (Sportsbet updates, 2014–2018)

Tennis

Australian Open

• Tony Jones (Host, 2018–present)
• James Bracey (Host, 2018–present)
• Roz Kelly (Host, 2022–present)
• Rebecca Maddern (Host, 2018–2021)
• Nick McArdle (Host, 9Gem, 2022–present)
• Emma Lawrence (Host, 9Gem, 2023–present)
• Matthew Pavlich (Host, 9Gem, 2024–present)
• Erin Molan (Host, 9Gem, 2018–2020)
• Seb Costello (Host, 9Gem, 2018–2023)
• Alicia Loxley (Host, 9Gem, 2020–2021)
• Sam McClure (Host, 9Gem, 2021–2022)
• Jim Courier (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Todd Woodbridge (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Dylan Alcott (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Jelena Dokic (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Alicia Molik (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Sam Smith (Commentator, 2018–present)
• Lleyton Hewitt (Commentator, 2018–present)
• John McEnroe (Commentator, 2018–2020, 2024–present)
• Casey Dellacqua (Commentator, 2019–present)
• Peter Psaltis (Commentator, 2023–present)
• Samantha Stosur (Commentator, 2024–present)
• John Millman (Commentator, 2024–present)
• Brenton Speed (Commentator, 2024–present)
• Sam Groth (Commentator, 2018–2022)
• Tom Rehn (Commentator, 2019–2022)
• Darren Cahill (Commentator, 2022–2023)

French Open

• Todd Woodbridge (Host and Commentator, 2021–present)
• Brett Phillips (Late Night Host, 2021–present)
• Roz Kelly (Host, 2023–present)
• Jelena Dokic (Commentator, 2021–present)
• Brenton Speed (Commentator, 2023–present)
• Samantha Stosur (Commentator, 2023–present)
• Sam Groth (Commentator, 2021–2022)

Wimbledon

• Roz Kelly (Host, 2022, 2024–present)
• Brett Phillips (Late Night Host, 2021–present)
• Jelena Dokic (Commentator, 2021–present)
• Tony Jones (Correspondent, 2022–present)
• Todd Woodbridge (Host and Commentator, 2021; Analyst 2022–present)
• Alicia Molik (Analyst 2023–present)
• Sam Groth (Commentator, 2021–2022)
• Nick McArdle (Host, 2023)
• Samantha Stosur (Commentator, 2023)

US Open

• Todd Woodbridge (Host and Commentator, 2022–present)
• Brett Phillips (Early Morning Host, 2022–present)
• Jelena Dokic (Commentator, 2022–present)

Cricket

Current

• Roz Kelly (host)
• Mark Taylor (analyst)
• Callum Ferguson (analyst)
• Steve O'Keefe (analyst)

Cricket World Cup 2019, Women's Ashes 2019, Ashes 2019

• Rebecca Maddern (host – Cricket World Cup)
• James Bracey (host – Cricket World Cup)
• Clint Stanaway (host – Cricket World Cup)
• Alicia Muling (host – Women's Ashes)
• Todd Woodbridge (host – The Ashes)
• Mark Taylor (host/analyst – Cricket World Cup, Women's Ashes, The Ashes)
• Lisa Sthalekar (host/analyst – Cricket World Cup, Women's Ashes, The Ashes)
• Ian Healy (analyst – Cricket World Cup, Women's Ashes, The Ashes)
• Mel Jones (analyst – The Ashes)
• Rob Canning (reporter – Cricket World Cup)

2018 (most recent) Home Summer of Cricket

• Mark Nicholas, (host/commentator, 2003–2018)
• Michael Slater (host/commentator, 2005–2018)
• Ian Chappell (commentator, 1980–2018)
• Ian Healy (commentator, 1999–2018)
• Bill Lawry (commentator, 1972–2018)
• Mark Taylor (commentator, 1999–2018)
• Shane Warne (commentator, 1998, 2000/01, 2003/04, 2008–2011, 2013–2018)
• Michael Clarke (commentator, 2014–2018)
• Tom Moody (commentator, 2002–2018)
• Lisa Sthalekar (commentator – women's matches)
• Mel Jones (commentator – women's matches)

Past

• Richie Benaud (host/commentator, 1972–2013)
• Stephanie Brantz, (boundary commentator, 2006–2007)
• Greg Chappell (commentator, 1989–1997)
• Mike Hussey (commentator, 2013–2016)
• Tony Cozier (commentator, 1972–1992)
• Kate Fitzpatrick (commentator, 1983)
• Adam Gilchrist (commentator, 2008–2011)
• Peter Sterling (commentator, 1993/94)
• Tony Greig (commentator, 1979–2012)
• David Hookes (commentator, 1986–1987)
• Brendon Julian (commentator, 2003)
• Geoff Lawson (commentator, 1989, 1993)
• Rod Marsh (commentator, 1985–1990, 1996–1998)
• Simon O'Donnell, (commentator/Cricket Show host, 1988, 1993–2011)
• Bruce Yardley, (commentator, 1992–98)
• Kerry O'Keeffe, (commentator, 1990–98)
• Dean Jones, (commentator, 1994/95)
• Greg Ritchie (commentator, 1992–1997)
• Brett Lee (commentator/Cricket Show co-host, 2011–2016)
• Keith Stackpole (commentator, 1972–1986)
• Jeff Thomson (commentator, 1989)
• Frank Tyson (commentator, 1979–1986)
• Max Walker (commentator, 1985–1991)
• Doug Walters (commentator, 1986–1989)
• Mark Waugh (commentator, 2002)
• Mike Whitney (commentator, 1993–1994)
• Glenn McGrath (commentator, 2012–2013)
• James Brayshaw (host/commentator, 2009–2016)
• Yvonne Sampson (boundary commentator/women's matches host, 2014–2016)

Guest international commentators

• Michael Atherton (2002–2003) Ashes tour to Australia
• Fred Trueman (1982/83) Ashes tour to Australia
• Bob Willis (1986–1987) Ashes tour to Australia
• Geoff Boycott (1990/91) and (1994/95) Ashes tours to Australia
• Ian Botham 1998/99 Ashes tour to Australia
• Colin Croft (1995/96) and (1996–1997)
• Sunil Gavaskar
• David Gower
• Sir Richard Hadlee (1990/91) and (1993–1994)
• Michael Holding (1992–93, 2004–2005)
• Waqar Younis (2004/05 & 2016/17)
• David Lloyd (2006–2007, 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015 Ashes in the UK)
• Ian Smith (1997–1998, 2001–2002, 2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011/12 and 2015/16)
• Michael Vaughan (2010/11, 2013/14, 2015, 2017/18 Ashes tours)
• Kevin Pietersen (2016–2018)
• VVS Laxman (2016)
• Russell Arnold (2017)

Netball

• Clint Stanaway (host, 2017–2021)
• Roz Kelly (host, 2021–2021)
• Jayne Azzopardi (host, 2018–2021)
• Aislin Kriukelis (host, 2018–2021)
• Warren Tredrea (host, 2018–2021)
• Sue Gaudion (host/commentator, 2016–2021)
• Anne Sargeant (commentator, 2016–2021)
• Liz Ellis (commentator, 2016–2021)
• Sharelle McMahon (commentator, 2016–2021)
• Catherine Cox (commentator, 2017–2021)
• Clare McMeniman (commentator, 2018–2021)
• Julie Snook (courtside reporter, 2017–2021)
• Jack Berketa (courtside reporter, 2017–2021)
• Paddy Sweeney (courtside reporter, 2017–2021)
• Alexis Daish (courtside reporter, 2018–2021)
• Carrie-Anne Greenbank (courtside reporter, 2018–2021)
• Michael Atkinson (courtside reporter, 2018–2021)
• Kim Green (commentator, 2019–2021)
• Seb Costello (host/commentator, 2017-2021)
• Erin Molan (host – Fast5 World Series, 2017)
• Laura Geitz (expert analysis, 2016 Fast5 World Series)
• Sharni Layton (expert analysis, 2016 Fast5 World Series)
• Sylvia Jeffreys (host, 2016–2017)
• Tom Mitchell (courtside reporter, 2017)
• Christine Ahern (courtside reporter, 2017)

Association Football

• Clint Stanaway (host, 2015–2017)
• Michael Bridges (expert analysis, 2015–2017)
• David Zdrilic (expert analysis, 2015–2017)
• Harry Kewell (expert analysis, 2017)
• Craig Moore (expert analysis, 2017)
• Brenton Speed (commentator (via Fox Football, 2015–2017)

Tour Down Under Cycling

• Tim Gilbert (host, 2012–2018)
• John Steffensen (co-host, 2016–2018)
• Phil Liggett (commentator, 2012–2018)
• Paul Sherwen (commentator, 2012–2018)
• Robbie McEwen (commentator, 2012–2018)

Rugby union

• Ken Sutcliffe (host)
• Cameron Williams (host)
• Bill Baxter (host)
• Brendan Cannon (expert analysis)
• Benn Robinson (expert analysis)
• Phil Waugh (live ground reports & expert analysis)
• Nathan Sharpe (live ground reports & expert analysis)
• Andrew Swain (Secondary Caller), 2021–present
• Sean Maloney (Main Caller), 2021–present
• Nick McArdle (Host), 2021–present
• Roz Kelly (Host), 2021–present
• Tim Horan (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Drew Mitchell (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Andrew Mehrtens (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Allana Ferguson (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Morgan Turinui (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Justin Harrison (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• David Campese (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Michael Cheika (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Sonny Bill Williams (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Sera Naiqama (Expert Analysis), 2021–present
• Paddy Sweeney (Sideline), 2021–present
• Michael Atkinson (Sideline), 2021–present

National Basketball League

• Bill Baxter (host, 2015–2016)
• Brad Rosen (expert analysis, 2015–2016)

Australian Rules Football

AFL

• Eddie McGuire (2002–2005) (Friday Night Football – all games and Sunday Football commentator – Victoria Games – 2002–2004)
• Garry Lyon (2002–2006) (Friday Night Football – all games and Sunday Football expert commentator – Victoria Games)
• Dermott Brereton (2002–2006) Friday Night Football – all games and Sunday Football expert commentator – Interstate Games)
• Dennis Cometti (2002–2006) (Friday Night Football – all games and Sunday Football commentator – Interstate Games)
• James Brayshaw (2002–2006) (Sunday Football commentator – Victoria Games – 2002, 2005–2006 and Interstate Games – 2003–2004, 2006)
• Gerard Healy (2002–2003) (Sunday Football expert commentator)
• Tony Jones (2002–2006) (Friday Night Football boundary rider, Sunday Football studio host)
• Dr. Peter Larkins (2002–2006) (Friday Night Football boundary rider)
• Anthony Mithen, boundary rider (2002–2003) (Sunday Football boundary rider – Interstate Games)
• Michael Roberts (2002–2006) (Sunday Football boundary rider – Victoria Games – 2002–2003 and Interstate Games 2004–2006)
• Dwayne Russell (2002–2006) (Friday Night Football – 2006 and Sunday Football commentator – Interstate Games)
• Brian Taylor (2002–2006) (Sunday Football commentator – Victoria Games)

SANFL

• Ken Cunningham (Host)
• Kym Dillon (Commentator)
• Ian Day (Commentator)
• Graham Campbbell (Commentator)
• Brian Cunningham (Field Commentator)

EJ Whitten Legends Game

• Garry Lyon (Host/Commentator)
• James Brayshaw (Commentator)
• Brian Taylor (Commentator)
• Billy Brownless (Commentator)
• Tony Jones (Field Commentator)
• Shane Crawford (Field Commentator)
• Peter Helliar (Commentator)
• Craig Hutchison (Commentator)
• Nathan Brown (Field Commentator)
• Clint Stanaway (Field Commentator)

The Footy Show panellists

• Eddie McGuire (1994–2005, 2017–2018) (host)
• Sam Newman (1994–2018) (regular)
• Trevor Marmalade (1994–2008) (regular)
• Garry Lyon (2006–2015) (host)
• James Brayshaw (2006–2016) (host)
• Rebecca Maddern (2016–2018) (host)
• Craig Hutchison (2007–2011, reporter) (2017, host)
• Neroli Meadows (2019) (host)
• Anthony Lehmann (2019) (host)
• Damian Barrett (2010–2018) (reporter)
• Billy Brownless (2009–2018) (panellist)
• Shane Crawford (2009–2019) (panellist)
• Matthew Lloyd (2012–2013) (panellist)
• Brendon Fevola (2017–2018) (panellist)
• Dane Swan (2017–2018) (panellist)
• Chris Judd (2018) (panellist)
• Dave Hughes (2015–2017) (panellist)

The Sunday Footy Show panellists

Current panelists

• Tony Jones (2006–2008, 2017–present) (host)
• Damian Barrett (2010–present) (reporter)
• Nathan Brown (2010–present)
• Matthew Lloyd (2012–present)
• Kane Cornes (2017–present)

Former panelists

• Max Walker (1993–1998) (original host)
• Mal Brown (1993–1998)
• Doug Hawkins (1994–1997)
• Sam Kekovich (1993–1998)
• Simon O'Donnell (1993–1996, 2012)
• Lou Richards (1993–2008)
• Ted Whitten (1993–1995)
• Dr Peter Larkins (1996–2010)
• Brian Taylor (1995–2010)
• James Brayshaw (2009–2011)
• Danny Frawley (2005–2008)
• Dermott Brereton (1993–2011)
• Simon Madden (1993–1998)
• David Rhys-Jones (1993–1998)
• Nathan Thompson (2009–2011)
• Garry Lyon (1999–2005)
• Sam Newman (1993–1998)
• Billy Brownless (1998–2021)
• Craig Hutchinson (2013–2016)
• Mark Bickley (2003–2007)
• Luke Ball (2014–2016)

Swimming

• Tony Jones (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) Host)
• Mathew Thompson (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) lead Commentator)
• Ian Thorpe (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) Expert Commentator)
• Giaan Rooney (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) Expert Commentator)
• Ariarne Titmus (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) Expert Commentator)
• Seb Costello (2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) Host/Reporter)
• James Bracey (2022 FINA Aquatics Championship Host)

Melbourne Cup carnival

• Eddie McGuire (2024, studio commentary)
• James Bracey (2024, mounting yards)
• Francesca Cumani (2024, analysis)
• Billy Slater (2024, jockey interviews)

Awards

Sports coverage and programs made by Nine's Wide World of Sports have been won and been nominated for several awards at the Logie Awards.

See also

• ABC Sport
• Seven Sport
• 10 Sport
• SBS Sport
• Fox Sports (Australia)
• Stan Sport
• List of Australian television series
• List of longest running Australian television series

References

1. "Wide World of Sports - Some Hits, Some Errors", The New York Times, 19 April 1981
2. "Cricket and the Media", International Cricket Hall, 2010
3. "David Hill, the Australian who changed the face of sports TV, is doing the same for the Oscars", Perth Now, Andrew Fenton, 26 February 2016
4. "Mike Gibson, veteran sports presenter and commentator, dies aged 75", The Guardian, Australian Associated Press, 23 September 2015
5. ^ "Mike Gibson's ability to empathise with punters made him a storyteller without peer", Perth Now, Christian Nicolussi, 23 September 2015
6. ^ "Legendary sports commentator and journalist Mike Gibson dies aged 75", The Daily Telegraph, 23 September 2015
7. "Billy Birmingham to retire 'The 12th Man'", The Roar, Benjamin Conkey, 9 November 2015
8. ^ "'No crying in television': Packer would be pragmatic about switch", The Sydney Morning Herald, Chris Barrett, 13 April 2018
9. "Ron Casey, sports journalist and talkback radio presenter, dies at 89", The Guardian, 1 October 2018
10. "The road to riches down memory lane", Financial Review, Charles Wright, 15 May 1999
11. "‘Tangles’ was all heart", MCC News, November 2016
12. "Former Australian cricketer Max Walker dies at 68", Stuff.co, Joe Pierek, 28 September 2016
13. "Max Walker dies aged 68", Sunshine Coast Daily, 28 September 2016
14. "Nine Network unveils AFL strategy", Sport Business, 19 September 2001
15. "NRL secures $500m rights deal", ABC, 1 July 2005
16. "Lock it in, Eddie", The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 2006
17. "Seven and Ten win AFL rights", The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 January 2006
18. "Seven, Ten win AFL broadcasting rights", The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 January 2006
19. "Seven, Ten win AFL rights", The Age, 6 January 2006
20. "Cricket's battle over TV rights", Crikey, 6 December 2004
21. "Nine still the one for cricket as Packer's killer bid gives game $45 million a year", The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 2005
22. "Nine Network on the brink of collapse", Illawarra Mercury, Michael Idato and Colin Kruger, 16 October 2012
23. "Hoops back on free-to-air", The Age, 5 October 2006
24. Wilson, Chris (1 March 2008). "A 'Wide World' opens for Gilly". Daily Telegraph.
25. "Returning: Wide World of Sports", TVTonight, David Knox, 11 March 2008
26. "John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge sign on Nine's Australian Open team.", TV Tonight, David Knox, 9 August 2018
27. "Nine Network pushes internet video ads for ninemsn", Financial Review, Neil Shoebridge, 31 March 2008
28. "Profile: Grant Hackett", The Sydney Morning Herald, Lucinda Schmidt, 20 July 2011
29. Channel Nine to bet its bank on footy | PerthNow, Michael Warner, 16 July 2010
30. Seven snatches Wimbledon tennis coverage | Herald Sun, Colin Vickery, 4 April 2011
31. "Smashes $1 Billion Barrier in New Broadcast Deal", AusLeisure, 22 August 2012
32. "Nine wary of bidding war", The Sydney Morning Herald, Jon Pierik, 27 February 2013
33. "TV WEEK Logie Award Winners ", Now To Love, 1 January 2010
34. "Fox Sports hires Nine executive Steve Crawley in new rugby league TV shake-up", News Corp Australia Network, Holly Byrnes, 5 February 2016
35. "Nine appoints new Head of Sport and exec producer of 60 Minutes", TV Tonight, David Knox, 6 February 2018
36. ^ "Emma Freedman is back at Channel Nine 14 months after being sacked", News.com.au, Andrew Bucklow, 3 March 2016
37. "Nine's Wide World of Sports launching FAST5 Netball World Series", Mediaweek, 27 October 2017
38. "One of the greats: Wide World Of Sports signs Ray Warren for five more years", Mediaweek, 5 May 2017
39. "Nine's WWoS launching GPS player tracking at State Of Origin", Mediaweek, 26 May 2017
40. "Nine announce exciting plans for NRL and rugby league coverage in 2018", Nine, 28 February 2018
41. "Nine Secures Broadcast Rights For The US Masters", Bandt, B&T Magazine, 10 January 2018
42. ^ "Nine reveals strategy for Australian Open", Ad News, Josh McDonnell, 9 August 2018
43. ^ "John McEnroe to headline Channel Nine's Australian Open commentary team", Sporting News, 8 September 2018
44. "Erin Molan's career unharmed after Footy Show disaster", News.com, author, 25 October 2018
45. "Nine to bring Wide World of Sports to radio", Ad News, Mariam Cheik-Husein, 16 December 2020
46. "Wide World of Sports coming to 2GB and 4BC in 2020", Mediaweek, 17 December 2019
47. "Nine Network Launch New Tennis Television Show", Tennis.com, 2 April 2020
48. "NRL to fulfil obligations to Nine Network", Wide World of Sports, 9 April 2020
49. Mediaweek (11 November 2020). "Stan Sport confirm tennis deal, reveals first live sport coming next February". Mediaweek. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
50. "Rugby Australia signs deal with Nine to stream games on Stan". www.abc.net.au. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
51. "Nine unveils Stan Sport OTT service after striking AUS$100m Rugby Australia deal". SportsPro. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
52. Brunsdon, Simon (8 February 2023). "Nine announces Olympic broadcast rights for five Games events". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
53. "Nine officially awarded Olympic Games broadcast rights up to 2032". Mediaweek. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
54. Brunsdon, Simon (20 February 2024). "Nine announces landmark broadcast rights deal with VRC for Melbourne Cup carnival". Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
55. McKnight, Robert (20 February 2024). "Nine nabs the MELBOURNE CUP as part of a complicated deal". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
56. Knox, David (20 February 2024). "Nine announces Melbourne Cup deal to 2029". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
57. Sam Stosur Wins US Open After Serena Williams Shout Controversy - smh.com.au
58. "England in denial over Super League's trade deficit", The Guardian, Andy Wilson, 16 November 2008

External links

• Official website
• Wide World of Sports entry at IMDb

• Nine's Wide World of Sports
• 1956 establishments in Australia
• Sports divisions of TV channels
• Australian sport websites